Here's a list of events at the Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, just in case you've got kids interested.
The last weekend in June is the Tankfest, an expensive weekend, but probably very interesting.
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
The tank museum is a great day out. We went a couple of years ago. The last time I'd been before then was when I was the same age as our DS was when we went, great to see all the changes. I'd definitely recommend a visit, with or without kids.
Never been but would dearly love to go. My late dad was a tank commander this time 70 years ago so you can guess where my thoughts are at the moment. As a family we're still connected to the Royal Tank Regiment Association and without thinking, mam (aged 91) has just had her sitting room decorated in the regimental colours - BROWN curtains, RED carpet, GREEN door curtain - Through the mud (brown), through the blood (red), to the green fields beyond. When a member or ex member of the regiment dies it is said they go to the green fields.
It's been about 50 years ago since my Dad took me so a lot must have changed since then. Even after all these years I still can't work out how the German 'NSU Kettenkrad' used to steer with the front motor cycle wheel & handle bars on the front and caterpillar tracks at the rear.
Kelper, according to Historyofwar.org, it didn't come into service until '67, but prototypes were trialled in '62.
The first mock-up was built in 1959 and the first prototype later the same year.
Chieftain Tank
A further six prototypes had been built by April 1962 and during that year crews from the 1st and 5th Royal Tank Regiments came from Germany to help test the new vehicle. Two prototypes of the new Chieftain went over to Germany in December 1962 to commence trials there. The Chieftain was accepted for service in 1963 and entered service in 1967 with the 11th Hussars and 17/21 Lancers.
Where did you drive?
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Ooops! So sorry, you're absolutely right ... it was a Centurion! Drove it on the Bovington tank training area ... when I was doing a CCF course from school!
Thank God for that! Great fun at Bovvy going over the "Knife Edge".
Crawl up in 1st gear then slam it into 6th with a stick change, then pray you didn't find the wrong gear!
Part of the test was changing gear from 1st through to 6th and back down again in the length of the wash-down. Legs going like pistons!
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
I did 15 years. Like most tankies I would avoid the place in case I have an episode and get arrested for shouting about where indeed is the display on asbestos in oil and skin issues from diesel. Nevermind you take the Vikings coin then you eat with the devil. The nicest oil I ever came across was used in the final drives of M113s, red, sweet smell, and always topped up.
My barber is ex 4/7DG's and knows of several mates of his who have or are suffering from Cancer. He reckons that it's the DU shells they handled. He also has Type1 diabetes. mmmmm?
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.