The Tank Museum is set to launch this years must-have DVD for WWII and tank enthusiasts, featuring the Museums very own Tiger Tank.

Tiger 131, the world's only running example of this World War Two legend, has been the subject of a ten year restoration project generously funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is featured in a new documentary produced by Wideangle.

Tank Museum spokesman Nik Wyness said; "The Tiger is probably our most famous exhibit, and we are delighted to announce that we will now be able to satisfy public demand for more in depth information about our Tiger.

"The new DVD is a quality documentary about Tiger 131, telling its story from its capture through to its restoration and appearance at TANKFEST in May 2004.  Almost 6,000 people came to TANKFEST last year from all over the world - and the vast majority came specially to see the Tiger run for the first time."

When the German Army introduced the Tiger, it could outmatch anything the Allies threw at it. With its powerful 88mm gun and strong armour, it was the most formidable weapon on the battlefield; causing serious concern at the highest level.

Determined to ensure that The Tiger maintained its position as the king of the battlefield, German high command ordered that all disabled Tigers be completely destroyed by their crews.

Despite usage against the Russians on the eastern front since early 1942, it wasn't until spring 1943 that the British Army captured a Tiger, which had been mysteriously abandoned completely intact.

Nik said; "On the previous day, a squadron of Churchill Tanks from 48th Royal Tank Regiment engaged a Tiger on a ridge, but they were forced to withdraw following heavy losses. The following day, Tiger 131 was found abandoned with only superficial damage.

"We are still not 100% sure why Tiger 131 was abandoned or what happened to the crew. It seems that a particularly well aimed (or lucky) 6pdr round from a Churchill clipped the barrel of the Tiger, and wedged itself in the mechanism that turns the turret, causing it to jam.

"This seems to a logical explanation for the crew abandoning the tank - but we are unsure why they did not destroy it.

The DVD features interviews with; Peter Gudgin, who was a commanding the squadron from 48th RTR when his Churchill was knocked out by Tiger 131; as well as those who worked on the conservation project which was completed by ABRO of Bovington.

Saving The Tiger - The Story of Tiger 131 is on sale exclusively at The Tank Museum Shop from Thursday 14th July 2005.