The Tank Museum

The Tank Museum stands on Bovington Camp in Dorset, twelve kilometres west of Poole. It holds almost 300 armoured fighting vehicles on display. The collection traces the history of the tank from its First World War beginnings to modern designs. Tiger 131, the only working German Tiger I, is the centrepiece of the exhibits. A British Mark I from 1916, the world’s oldest surviving combat tank, also stands here. The museum belongs to the Royal Tank Regiment and the Royal Armoured Corps. Rudyard Kipling visited Bovington in 1923 and urged the creation of such a museum. The museum expanded under director George Forty, who served from 1982 to 1993. David Fletcher, a historian there since 1982, led popular video series called Tank Chats on its YouTube channel. The channel has gained over 100 million views, more than many famous museums. During the Russo-Ukrainian War the museum supplied blueprints and track samples to aid Ukrainian forces. In December 2023 it hosted a long-distance footrace around its grounds. Visitors walk through halls named for different conflicts. The World War I Hall shows early tanks like the Mark V, still in working order. The World War II Hall displays tanks from many nations, including the German Panther and Soviet T-34. The Cold War Hall holds British Chieftain and Centurion tanks. A 2023 exhibition looks at tanks in films, toys and art. The Vehicle Conservation Centre reveals more of the collection kept out of sight. The Royal Armoured Corps Memorial Room honours nearly 13,000 soldiers who died in service.