The second of two annual events centered around the world’s only running Tiger I tank is right around the corner. Put on by the Tank Museum in Bovington, United Kingdom, Tiger Day Autumn is slated to be a can’t-miss even, with attendees able to watch the famed German armored fighting vehicle go up against a British Churchill, the same type of tank that took it out back in 1943!
Each year, the Tank Museum puts on two events solely dedicated to showing Tiger 131. Captured by the British in April 1943, the Tiger I had served with the Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 504 (Heavy Tank Battalion 504) throughout the Tunisia Campaign.
Following its capture, Tiger 131 was restored with parts collected from other destroyed Tiger I tanks and evaluated. It was then put on display in Tunis, viewed by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI, and sent to Britain. It wasn’t until 1959 that it arrived at the Tank Museum, which has served as its home ever since.
Over the decades, restoration work has occurred to ensure Tiger 131 remains in working order. Outside of the Tank Museum, the infamous heavy tank was featured in the 2014 Brad Pitt-led movie, Fury
For Tiger Day Autumn, the Tank Museum is allowing a select number of attendees to take a ride in Tiger 131. The opportunity is doubling as a fundraiser, with raffle entries available for just £3. An auction will also be held in the lead up to the event, starting the week of August 16.
Speaking in a press release, David Willey, the Tank Museum’s curator, said:
“Tiger 131 is the most famous tank in the world and there are a lot of tank fans who will jump at the chance for a ride in this infamous German tank. All profits from the Tiger raffle and auction will go towards supporting the Museum’s historic tank collection, ensuring that Tiger 131 can be kept in running order for years to come.”
Along with Tiger 131 and the aforementioned Churchill tank, those in attendance at Tiger Day Autumn will also be able to see other historic armored vehicles, including a FV4005, the M4A2E8 Sherman Fury, an M24 Chaffee, a British Comet and more. There will also be 10 “immersive exhibitions” set up over the course of the day.
