WITH just half a dozen Tiger tanks in existence, the practical aspects of Haynes’ latest manual may only appeal to a handful of readers.

Lets face it, only a few people will ever find themselves reaching for the mechanical guide as they struggle to change their Tiger’s transmission fluid.

However, many more – including the legions of heavy armour enthusiasts worldwide – will be wowed by the “unprecedented insight” the new book provides into this Second World War fighting machine.

The fully illustrated manual has been compiled by the only people in the world with recent experience of running a Tiger tank – historian David Fletcher, Bovington Tank Museum curator David Willey and museum workshop manager Mike Hayton.

Mr Willey said: “Tiger 131 is probably our most famous exhibit, not least because the Tiger tank itself has an almost mythical reputation. In undertaking this project we have taken a much more sober and practical view of the vehicle.

“By avoiding the often seen and heard hyperbole and myth-reinforcing, this book gives readers the opportunity to really get under the Tiger’s skin.

“There is practical and technical information on how it works, how it is used and looked after, and how it was fought in.”

The forword is written by Peter Gudgin MC, who in 1942, as a young lieutenant commanding a Churchill tank, came face-to-face with Tiger 131 and lost.

As it turned out, this would become the last time Tiger 131 roared in anger, as it was captured later in the battle.

Wounded in the action, Peter returned to England where he was posted to the School of Tank Technology.

Here, he ended up producing an examination report on his old nemesis, Tiger 131 – which was the first Tiger tank ever captured by the Allies.

The Tiger Tank Owners’ Workshop Manual is available from the Tank Museum and bookshops.