The Tank Museum in Dorset is embarking on an ambitious mission to restore the world’s oldest King Tiger tank, known as “V2”, to full operational condition. However, this remarkable project hinges on raising over £1 million in funds.
The King Tiger “V2”, built in December 1943, is a unique piece of history—the second ever produced and the only surviving tank with a pre-production turret. Designated “Versuchs 2” (trial 2), it was exclusively used for testing during World War II and never saw combat. Since its capture by the British Army, the tank has been preserved at the museum since the 1950s, and it toured European museums as recently as 2019.
Chris van Schaardenburgh, vehicle collections manager at The Tank Museum, emphasized the significance of the restoration. “This is the most ambitious project we have ever undertaken. We’re committed to ensuring the project complements the museum’s daily activities while offering invaluable opportunities for research, skills development, and training the next generation of heritage engineers.”
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The restoration will be led by the museum’s expert workshop team, with support from European engineering partners and heritage specialists. While some original components are safely stored, others have been lost to time, making the rebuild both a historical puzzle and an engineering challenge. The goal is to return V2 to the precise condition it was in when it was captured and tested by the British Army.
“This project has been on our minds for some time,” Chris added. “We’re excited to share every step of this fascinating journey online and hope to rally supporters worldwide to make this restoration a reality.”
Those interested in supporting the project or following its progress can visit tankmuseum.org/ktv2.