I am now watching a show on the Military Channel call 'Tank Overhaul' where they take a tank and give it a total overhaul. Today's episode is on the 'Elefant' that is located at Aberdeen. I am haveway through the show and so far they are having a major problem removing the tracks. According to the show, this is one of two in existence. The other one located in Russia. Anyone else watching this?
Must be a new series of Tank Overhaul? Sure there wasn't an Elefant in the ones I saw. That series was rather hit & miss, overly layered with pointless music & generally rushed coverage, but there were one or two high points; particularly a grinning veteran roaring round at full chat in the very same Hellcat he actually served in. Disregarding the programme's flaws it's always nice to see a bit of armour restoration in the mainstream. List of all (?) programmes here: Tank Overhaul - TV Show (Episode Guide & Showings) | LocateTV Centurion, Elefant & Chaffee ones are new to me. I'll keep an eye out for the Elefant one, it was such a relief to hear that Aberdeen had rescued it from it's advanced state of neglect. They're cracking on but there's still a lot of work to be done at the Ordnance Museum Collection. US Army Ordnance Museum Be nice if they could afford a smoother website too, but I imagine the real work is #1 priority. Cheers, Adam.
I was disappointed with the show. As you said, the Elefant was only given highlights and the overhaul was just for the outside to prep it for static display. Most of the show was spent comparing it to, of all things, todays 105mm mobile artillery gun. Paleeeez. I agree that at least it was saved, one of two. This one was abandoned in Italy after a shell splinter disabled the tracks.
That's been a problem with some of the other's I've seen, too much jumping about and coverage of modern vehicles at the expense of the main story. I can't blame 'em for the cosmetic tarting up of the Elefant, real restorations cost big money, something I suspect they're a little short of (they've farmed off a few vehicles for more thorough restorations worldwide over the last few years, one or two on long leases). At least the Elefant's been given a bit of weatherproofing that gives it a few more years protection while we wait for some passing philanthropist millionaire to take an interest.
The recent edition was on a Panther recovered in the Czech Republic by the wealthy tank collector Jacques Littlefield. Now that was a Tank Overhaul. They are turning it into a running original condition tank. Very nice Here's a little snippet http://video.aol.com/video-detail/tank-overhaul-the-panther-part-1/715616345
I have seen that tank in person..........impeccable is the only word I can use to describe the restoration.
Tragic that Littlefield never got to see his Panther completely finished. The machine seemed to hold a rather special place for him even among the dozens of other beautiful restorations/preservations his gang carried out. Thankfully the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation has apparently been as well-endowed as one might hope for from a billionaire's will, and the work will carry on. ~A
