I would like to know how if any of you know anything about tanks and AFV's in private ownership - think it must be an exicitng and dreadful expensive hobby. Here in Denmark we have VERY strict laws regarding weapons owned by private - yet it seems several armoured fighting vehicles are privately owned. Take look at this homepage : http://www.drostrup.com/ Centurion : http://www.drostrup.com/Store billeder/P001s.jpg in back yard Chaffee : http://www.drostrup.com/Store billeder/G017.jpg M-41 dk1 Walker Bulldog special : http://www.drostrup.com/Store billeder/P055s.jpg (used for tractor pulling ) BMP-1 : http://www.drostrup.com/Store billeder/P060.jpg Runner !
Here's a group in the USA. Several of these people have tanks. http://www.mvpa.org/mambo/index.php I went to one of their conventions and it was really fun and educational.
So do I, it's a T55 or variant of it thats been made up to look like a Tiger. This is the one used in "Saving Private Ryan". For a while it was on display at Duxford as well. There is another one around too, but it was based on a T34 chasis and used in "Kelly's Heroes".
There is one Tiger 1 working, it is at the Bovington tank museum and ran at Tankfest 2004. It's also hoped it will run at this years Tankfest. Saumur museum has a working Kingtiger and there are a couple of vids on the net showing it in action. There is now a working Panther and, I think, JagdPanther in the UK (recently restored) and it is believed (suspected!) they will put in an appearance at Tankfest as well. Saumur has the largest number of working Panthers in one place as they used it in service after ww2 ( I believe they had 1 battalion equipped with them). You have to remember that they will have the most as they got the bulk of the engines in stock at the end of the war as part of war reparations. The Panther being restored in California will I think be a runner as it's owned by the Littlefield collection. Tiger 1 in action at Tankfest Link to the Littlefield Panther restoration pics http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/panther.htm
tiger In 1946 we had a Tiger at Lulworth RAC Gunnery School, at the time the MOD were making films using infantry and captured vehicles. The Tiger was rebuilt in the workshops using the help of German POW's who had worked on tanks. At the first firing of the engine a steel drift that had been placed in one of the cylinders went through the piston and cylinder head, completely wrecking the engine. I've often wondered if the 'Bovvy' Tiger is the same vehicle.
Privately owned - a surprising number. There is a pub near me whose landlord owned a Saracen APC and a Scorpion tank. Sadly the pub has changed hands and they are no longer on show outside... Most military shows include a large number of privately-owned vehicles, mostly lorries/cars, but with a smattering of Armoured cars. Then of course there is serious military hardwear owned purely for fun & profit: http://www.fun-online.sk/forum/viewtopi ... ht=driving
