MRomanych
20th July 2009, 00:14
Modeling on a grand scale.
Military history buffs have built a homemade tank
5/07/2009
www.kentnews.co.uk
A German tank is set to roll through the streets of Kent – but there’s no need to panic.
A trio of military history buffs from Hoo have built a formidable-looking replica of an extremely rare Panzer III – complete with swiveling turret, guns and a radio system.
It’s the only working Panzer III imitation of its kind in Britain, according to industrial welder John Phillips.
He and a small squad of enthusiasts spent nearly three months transforming a British armoured personnel carrier he bought for £5,000 and spent £15,000 turning into a Second World War battle machine.
The military makeover gave the beast of war a 50mm high-powered gun and two MG34 machine guns. They are gas-operated, making a realistic bang and a flash, and are completely legal.
John, 49, said: “There were no Panzers round here to base it on so we bought a model and scaled it up from that.
“Tanks like this are so rare these days that you can only find them in museums,”
“If you could buy one it would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. We managed to get hold of a British AFV432 and completely rebuild it into a German tank.”
Electronics engineer Tim Bluck installed the tank’s radio equipment.
He said: “The biggest job we had was to move the engine further back. It’s a massive Rolls Royce beast which is so heavy that our forklift, which carries two-and-a-half tons, struggled to shift it.”
Although it isn’t the real thing, John thinks his replica gives people a good idea of what an authentic German Panzer III would look like.
It’s not the first time the team has created a rare weapon of war. Last year they fashioned a German StuG 111 mobile gun.
The tank will go on display at the forthcoming War and Peace Show at The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, which runs from next Wednesday until Sunday July 26.
After the War and Peace Show John plans to restore a four-wheel drive amphibious vehicle - known as a Schwimwagen.
*Another highlight of the show will be the return of Kent’s own Spitfire fighter plane, which appeared last year to rapturous applause.
The wartime vintage aircraft, named the Spirit of Kent, is owned by a man from Pembury and is hangared at Biggin Hill Airfield.
Arnheim and Normandy veterans will be admitted free this year as a mark of respect, and Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn will be attending the show on Saturday July 25 to meet some of the Second World War heroes.
Military history buffs have built a homemade tank
5/07/2009
www.kentnews.co.uk
A German tank is set to roll through the streets of Kent – but there’s no need to panic.
A trio of military history buffs from Hoo have built a formidable-looking replica of an extremely rare Panzer III – complete with swiveling turret, guns and a radio system.
It’s the only working Panzer III imitation of its kind in Britain, according to industrial welder John Phillips.
He and a small squad of enthusiasts spent nearly three months transforming a British armoured personnel carrier he bought for £5,000 and spent £15,000 turning into a Second World War battle machine.
The military makeover gave the beast of war a 50mm high-powered gun and two MG34 machine guns. They are gas-operated, making a realistic bang and a flash, and are completely legal.
John, 49, said: “There were no Panzers round here to base it on so we bought a model and scaled it up from that.
“Tanks like this are so rare these days that you can only find them in museums,”
“If you could buy one it would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. We managed to get hold of a British AFV432 and completely rebuild it into a German tank.”
Electronics engineer Tim Bluck installed the tank’s radio equipment.
He said: “The biggest job we had was to move the engine further back. It’s a massive Rolls Royce beast which is so heavy that our forklift, which carries two-and-a-half tons, struggled to shift it.”
Although it isn’t the real thing, John thinks his replica gives people a good idea of what an authentic German Panzer III would look like.
It’s not the first time the team has created a rare weapon of war. Last year they fashioned a German StuG 111 mobile gun.
The tank will go on display at the forthcoming War and Peace Show at The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, which runs from next Wednesday until Sunday July 26.
After the War and Peace Show John plans to restore a four-wheel drive amphibious vehicle - known as a Schwimwagen.
*Another highlight of the show will be the return of Kent’s own Spitfire fighter plane, which appeared last year to rapturous applause.
The wartime vintage aircraft, named the Spirit of Kent, is owned by a man from Pembury and is hangared at Biggin Hill Airfield.
Arnheim and Normandy veterans will be admitted free this year as a mark of respect, and Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn will be attending the show on Saturday July 25 to meet some of the Second World War heroes.