DORSET.- A £100,000 donation has boosted The Tank Museum’s ambitious plan to restore a unique World War Two tank to running condition.

The major gift means the Museum has now reached just under 30% of its £1m fundraising target for the King Tiger V2 restoration project – one of the most complex and challenging restoration projects ever undertaken by the Museum.

The donation was made in memory of the late Herrick Fordham, a British Army veteran who served in Sherman tanks during World War Two.

It comes almost 81 years to the day that the rare German tank fell into Allied hands.

Chris Price, CEO of The Tank Museum, said: “We are immensely grateful for this generous donation in memory of Mr Fordham – a man who would have been well aware of the significance and threat this tank would have posed during the war.

“Since launching the KTV2 project in September, we have received financial support from around the world – allowing our Workshop Team to make some fantastic progress already.”

The vehicle at the centre of the project is the only surviving King Tiger to have been fitted with the pre-production turret and was the second of these formidable tanks ever built – hence the designation V2.

On 3 April 1945, the training facility that housed it was captured by Allied Forces.
Soon after, King Tiger V2, was shipped to the School of Tank Technology in Britain before being sent to The Tank Museum in 1952.

Chris added, “We still have a long way to go. Given the age and the rarity of KTV2, we’re working closely with specialist partners to research what parts and manufacturing options are available to replace components missing from the vehicle.

“The support we have received so far is incredible, and thanks the donation made in memory of Mr Fordham we will now be able to expand the Workshop Team and begin to purchase equipment vital for the restoration.”

The Museum hopes to return the tank to running condition within 5 years - and fundraising for the project continues.