Dorset Tank Museum, UK. Part One -Tiger Porn!
Really, who doesn't feel something visceral and intimidating at the sight of a Tiger tank. There's something about this vehicle that symbolises everything about the Wehrmacht.
Her lines just radiate menace, poise, and brutality in a way that captures the imagination and stirs the emotions of every armour modeler, much in the same way that the elliptical wing of the Spitfire sings to the fly boys amongst us. Or perhaps it'd be more apt to use the 'Stuka' as an example.
These photos were taken at the new 'Tiger Collection' at the Dorset Tank Museum on the Jurassic Coast of south west England. It's a relatively remote location for such an important collection, but well worth a trip and the locality is breathtaking for scenery.
Some images of 'Tiger 131' - the only running original Tiger 1 in the world. There's a simplistic honesty about the Tiger I, what you see is exactly what you get; death on tracks.
I confess to a certain degree of over-enthusiasm in taking the photos, which is why I'm having to break the day into two or three posts. The collection is truly huge and I actually ran out of time and couldn't see their vehicle restoration exhibit or the Afghanistan hall (which is brilliant in its own right).
[pic 6]
The Elefant in the room...
The Tiger II (Konigstiger; the King Tiger) is a person favourite and for me this also one of the all time great colour schemes. This is a superb example and the great thing you don't get in the photos is the raw smell of steel and gasoline these beasts exude (a coppery undertone that hints at blood) that adds to the sense of power and history.
This tank was assigned to SS Panzer Battalion 101 and abandoned I Northen France in '44. The picture below...
...shows the damage where a Sherman of the 23rd Hussars put two 75mm rounds into it. The damage is still clear in the pictures. And the photo below is exactly the same tank in 1945.
Yours truly; couldn't resist having a photo or two (well, maybe three or five) taken with this beauty.
The Jagdtiger, or 'Hunting Tiger'. This is was one of the heaviest tanks produced in World War II and this baby is one of only three Jagdtigers to survive in museums, partly due to their limited production - only around 80 making it into battle.
A Pre-Production Tiger II, with the sloping 'Porche' turret.
Original Zimmermit, a nice reference for modeling.
I have to say I had a great day walking around all these amazing machines and would highly recommend the museum for anyone interested in armour. They also have a resident modeler at work each day showing his work, he's even happy to talk about aircraft...
I'll post some more photos tomorrow.
David
A most excellent "virtual tour" you've given us, David - breathtaking photos indeed. Boy, that pic of you next to the beast certainly gives us a genuine perspective of its' immense size. If I'm not mistaken, "131" was used in the making of "Fury", wasn't it? Looking forward to the next set of pics. 🙂
Hey, Craig. You are 100% correct, 131 was used in several scenes in Fury. There is a mockup cinema conataining loads of data about the film in the museum, alongside an 'easy eight' made up to look like the Sherman in the movie - photos later...
Hope you are well, Craig.
"...the Elephant in the room" - Very, very good !. They really seem to have changed the 'Tiger Cage' since I was there last. Looks a little 'clinical' to me, but no matter, you're absolutely correct, David; #131 absolutely dominates the room, incredible machine and one of the friendliest museums I've ever been to (and I use to work at Duxford !).
Ian.
I think you are right, Ian, it IS a little clinical in the Tiger exhibition, and for me (and my models) I like a little more 'dirty and lived in'. Having said that, there's plenty of that across the rest of the museum and the atmosphere in the Tiger room is certainly different.
You are right about the staff there, they are so happy to help and talk about the exhibits. So, you worked at Duxford? Man, I love the 'Sally B' B-17; I'd pay the entrance fee just to look at her for an hour. Lucky you!
David, thanks! What a great collection, and the photos (love that zimmerit) might prove useful, one day. First rate photos!
Man Oh Man ! Boy do I like these photos !
There are some excellent reference pictures here David. You have captured a lot of the smaller details that are hard to pick out in regular pictures...
This is a great collection. Thanks for sharing these with us. I'll anxiously be looking forward to your next series of museum Panzer photos...
Hi Lou, and good morning from this side of the pond. As a professional tanker it means a lot to me that you like them. As I said in the post above, the photos were helped by my son asking about details and this made me stop and really look.
I'll post some more tonight, including a beautiful 'pink panther'.
Very best wishes and health, Louis.
Thanks, Bernard. Was a great day and made better by having my 15 year old son with me who was full of questions. It really made me pay attention to the information there and think about and photo the tanks in a different way having him asking about, or pointing out things that I'd have missed.
Hello David,
Thanks for posting these pictures. It was great to go trough them all.
Would be a nice stop on my next visit to the UK.
Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.
Hello, Dirk. It's also a beautiful part of the UK; to visit; lots of forests, rocky sea shores, castles, good people - and great beer.
Good stuff David. Thanks for posting.Beer and tanks. Mmmh! Tanks of beer. Tanked.
Anyone would think you have a one 'track' mind, Anthony...
Great shots, tanks for sharing.
Thanks, Robert.
Boy, do I love a good pun. As a psychologist I have seen a few tank commanders that just couldn't stop swearing. Absolutely true, as Jeffry Bailey would probably testify. I believe they call it called Turrets Syndrome...
This was awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Happy to share something as great as these machines, Johan.
Takk,
David