The Tank Museum is preparing itself to star in this year’s Lord Mayors Show.

The South Dorset charity has entered two vehicles into the historic parade which is broadcast live on the BBC on Saturday 13th of November.

Museum spokesman Nik Wyness said; “We were asked to take part in The Lord Mayors because the theme of this years event is `Excellence` - and this year the organisers have chosen in particular to honour the excellence of our military which is as much a celebration of the past as it is a celebration of the present.

“We have selected two important and impressive vehicles to run in the parade – and both are sure to cause quite a stir with the quarter of a million people lining the streets, and the 3 million people watching at home.”

The Museums Rolls Royce armoured Car and Desert Storm era Challenger 1 have been given the honour of representing Dorset’s finest Museum, and both vehicles are now being finely tuned and polished for their appearance in the procession.

Whilst unusual, it is not the first time Tanks have taken part in the Lord Mayors Show. In November 1917, Tanks were paraded before the public for the first time in an attempt to encourage people to buy bonds to fund Tank construction. Days later British Tanks were involved in the first significant Tank action in history at Cambria, where they were a devastating success. One of these tanks can be seen on display at The Museum.

Nik Wyness added; “The Lord Mayors show is a fantastic platform from which to show the world how impressive The Tank Museums collection really is, and we are very proud to be taking part.”

Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank Mk3
The Challenger 1 is a veteran of Desert Storm, the 1991 War with Iraq to liberate Kuwait. In this conflict it was crewed by Cpl Nutt, L/Cpl. McKenna and Tpr Hawkes and commanded by Lt/Col (now General) Denaro of the Queens Royal Irish Hussars.

The Tank, named Churchill, will be accompanied in the parade by its original Desert Storm Crew, who were reunited at The Musuem for the first time since the war in 2003, when Churchill was handed over by the MOD.