Museum needs £40,000 to save the Tiger Tank (From Bournemouth Echo)

Museum needs £40,000 to save the Tiger Tank

3:00pm Thursday 28th January 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(3)

THE world’s only surviving example of a working Tiger 1 Tank is staring down the barrel of what could be its biggest fight so far.

This indomitable German Second World War bruiser, the only one of its kind to be captured intact by the Allies, won’t face bombs or heavy armour this time around.

Instead, Tiger 131 finds itself struggling for its financial survival.

The Bovington Tank Museum exhibit needs £40,000 to enable vital re-engineering work to take place, only then will it roar again.

“Of the 1,354 Tiger 1 Tanks of World War Two, only six remain”, said the museum’s Nik Wyness. “And this one has been restored to almost immaculate running order.”

It was captured in Tunisia during a fierce battle, in April 1943, by 48 Royal Tank Regiment.

After being found “mysteriously abandoned” Tiger 131 was later inspected by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and even King George VI.

When the allies shipped it back to London, it was stripped down as part of a thorough technical evaluation that enabled British and American tank crews to better understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Following the war, in 1951, it was handed to the Tank Museum, where – despite its poor condition – became one of the museum’s biggest draws.

Mr Wyness: “Tiger 131 has been a star attraction ever since, but now Tiger 131 is in need of urgent re-restoration work to ensure it can remain a running exhibit for generations to come.

“Until this work is completed, the Tiger cannot run – as to do so would risk permanent mechanical damage.”