Tank Museum Director John Woodward said; "We have another 150 Tanks currently exposed to the elements because we simply don't have space for them inside our already cluttered buildings.

"The tanks we do have inside fair only slightly better - without environmental controls our collection suffers from huge changes in humidity and temperature that will cause serious damage if left unchecked."

A new 5000 square metre display hall will provide better environmental protection for the most treasured articles in the collection - whilst providing more internal floor space to display those vehicles currently outside.

John Woodward said; "We also want to create a more immersive and contextual experience in our new buildings. Few people ever experience first-hand the true horrors of war, and we want to recreate the reality as close as we can without live ammunition being fired."

The Museum wants to build on the success of its `Trench Experience`, an exhibit that puts visitors into World War I as the first tanks were about to overrun a German position.

John Woodward added; "The future visitor will feel what it was like do be defeated at Dunkirk, and how it felt in a landing craft as tanks prepared to go ashore on D-Day, so that tank development is seen in context. I want people to be able to stand back and appreciate the power of tanks and understand they are beasts, but in a way there is a beauty"

If successful it is hoped the bid will turn the Dorset Charity, whose development was encouraged by Rudyard Kipling and George V in the 1920's, into a modern leading edge military museum making a direct contribution to the regional economy.

The outcome of the bid is expected early in 2005.

Hi Quality image: Right hand click on the above pictures (© Tank Museum) and click 'save target as' - Interior image is 269KB and exterior image is 357KB.