The Tank Museum

COMRES-75 was part of the experiments surrounding the ‘Future Main Battle Tank’ (Chieftain’s replacement.)

The Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Establishment wanted to demonstrate the concept of an externally mounted gun - the main driver for this concept was to reduce overall weight of the vehicle by not having it mount a crewed turret, thereby allowing minimal frontal area to be exposed while in a hull-down position.

A Comet hull was chosen for this trial. It was completed in 1968 and was the world’s first external gun demonstrator. The Comet hull was mated to an auto-loading 83.8mm (20pdr) main gun.

While trials did provide valuable experience with an externally mounted gun, not previously possible, the Future Main Battle Tank was eventually cancelled with work switching to the more conventional MBT-80. The advent of Chobham armour allowed for much greater protection for much lower weight.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

2 hours ago | [YT] | 1,965

The Tank Museum

The Weald Foundation’s Black Sea StuG III is just one of the Guest Vehicles which will be joining us in the arena at TANKFEST 2026.⁠
⁠
Built in October 1943 and sent to German forces in Crimea, it never arrived.⁠
⁠
The cargo ship Santa Fe, which it was on board, was torpedoed and sunk by a Russian submarine.⁠
⁠
It was salvaged in 2000 from the hold of the sunken transport ship at the bottom of the Black Sea, and later restored by The Weald Foundation — making its public debut at TANKFEST 2009.⁠
⁠
We look forward to welcoming it back to the arena from 26–28 June. There are still some tickets for Friday available – but be quick, as tickets are limited, and selling fast!
⁠
🔗 tankmuseum.org/events/tankfest

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

6 hours ago | [YT] | 2,648

The Tank Museum

Caption this!

10 hours ago | [YT] | 5,248

The Tank Museum

Second World War experience influenced the design of the Saladin armoured car.

Having six wheel drive instead of four greatly improved its cross country mobility, and the powerful 76mm gun gave it sufficient firepower against a wide range of targets.

Development began in 1946 and production ran from 1958 until 1972, with 1177 built.

1 day ago | [YT] | 4,473

The Tank Museum

🚨NEW VIDEO TOMORROW ON OUR WORKSHOP CHANNEL🚨

Vehicles coming and going here at The Tank Museum is quite common. But why? And how are decisions made about which vehicles stay, and which vehicles leave?

Check out our new YouTube video – TOMORROW at 15:00 BST🗓️⁠
⁠
Patreon & YouTube Members get early access, so are enjoying the video right now - JOIN THEM!

1 day ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,457

The Tank Museum

The A38 Valiant is one of the most famous failed tank designs in the Museum’s collection, posing as much a threat to the driver as to the enemy!

Changing down from 5th gear moved the lever with such force it could break the driver’s wrist.

If his foot slipped between the pedals, then he would find his foot trapped and be unable to get out of the tank.

On the two occasions that it went out for trials, the driver found it so uncomfortable that he complained – and the trials were stopped there and then.

Only one unarmoured prototype was ever constructed – and is now looked after in the Vehicle Conservation Centre, here at The Tank Museum.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

1 day ago | [YT] | 4,224

The Tank Museum

Victory in the Second World War was a truly collaborative effort by the Allies, and various nations with smaller populations and economies still offered great support in the fight against fascism.

This American-built Sherman is being crewed by South Africans fighting in Italy. Similar efforts were made by men from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mongolia and Brazil. This cooperation bolstered the Allies and aided in victory in 1945.

1 day ago | [YT] | 3,780

The Tank Museum

A British Valentine I endures a fairly close explosion during a training exercise.

The Valentine was the most produced British tank of the Second World War. Of the 8317 built of all variants, 7260 were turreted tanks. Half were sent to the Soviet Union, the rest retained by Britain. Canadian forces used it extensively for training, and a small number were supplied to New Zealand.

The Valentine has been unfairly forgotten, in many ways, but it was a very reliable tank and gave good service in North Africa.

2 days ago | [YT] | 8,112

The Tank Museum

Jagdpanthers were well suited to the defensive fighting of 1945. From the front, a well camouflaged Jagdpanther could be deadly to Allied vehicles. However, if they were outmanoeuvred and engaged from the side or rear, they were much more vulnerable. A shortage of fuel and spare parts led to many having to be abandoned.

Jagdpanther units fought in both the East and West, and their firepower took a heavy toll on the Allies. Although it was a formidable weapon, Allied bombing of the factories affected production, and by the time the vehicle entered service in mid-1944, it was clear Germany was losing the war.

Our Jagdpanther (shown in the first photo,) was completed by Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen Hannover after the end of the war. The factory had been captured by the British, and a number of Jagdpanthers and Panthers were completed by the workforce under British supervision. After being tested and evaluated, it came to The Tank Museum in 1951.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

2 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 4,157