Tank Chats #36 Tiger 131 | The Tank Museum

Tank Chats playlist • Tank Chats from The Ta... Tiger 131 is the most famous tank in The Tank Museum's collection at Bovington and arguably the most famous tank in the world. See Tiger 131 in action at Tiger Day tankmuseum.org/whats-on/event...
Here curator David Willey discusses the history of Tiger 131, it’s current place and importance in the collection, and its future.
See Tiger 131 run at Tiger Day, tankmuseum.org. For more information on Tiger I tanks, see Tank Chat #17 Tiger I. • Tank Chats #17 Tiger I...
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[@Wonkabar007]

The factory workers who assembled Tiger 131 in 1943, could never have imagined what a charmed life this tank who go on to have

[@Taseden]

Agreed, kind of funny to think.

[@VRichardsn]

Indeed. Thinking about it, they would be really proud, probably.

[@VRichardsn]

_They were probably slaves, so are not likely to have survived the war or cared about much more than what the next day would bring_ As far as I recall, the Henschel plant in Kassel did not employ slave labour. But I might be mistaken. Henschel did use foreign workers in what essentially amounted to slave labour, after all.

[@apropercuppa8612]

Almost "fate". A few hits to its hull and abandoned, in I presume, very good condition, to turn around and be a historical "celebrity" lol.

[@thee-tanker6325]

Steve Arthur no they were not, I suggest you to go to top 5 tanks with mighty jingles and watch the story about the panther in tank museum...if you take a closer look at the welds you would see that it's really clean, compare that to the Soviet welds who really used slave labor you would see that the Germans actually employed skilled engineers and fine craftsmen for this. Just curious, have you heard of German over engineering?

[@vtr0104]

Since the tank has been restored and is now working, it may pay off to take it apart once again and making castings or scans of the parts. Technology has come a long way, and with 3D printing taking as many leaps as it does, it's not unreasonable to assume that a transmission or bottom-end could be rebuilt for the tank. All you need is an image of the part that you can then mill out of fresh steel on a lathe. I mean, this thing was put together at a time when assembly was being done under tremendous pressure, with precious few supplies. A small army of dedicated individuals with crowd-funding and some tech-savvy could surely keep this one example going for many years to come. Thankfully, it has no crazy electronics in it that could potentially burn out and be literally irreplaceable on account of no one knowing how to remake a circuit-board or reprogram an old memory chip....

[@Masada1911]

vtr0104 I hope they're doing something like this

[@rvanhees89]

Bring out your Nerds!

[@murrayscott9546]

Show them the money, honey ! Wish I had the ways and means !

[@Connor.Bordin]

Pretty much every tank that has been made the blueprints and that still exist Porsche would have the king tiger turret designs deep in storage somewhere

[@outlaw8865]

Why doesn't the USA have a running Tiger, this is a great idea! ! Let's just build one. Billionaires please make this happen. So people can see what a great design this vehicle was in 1941/1942.

[@Terrados1337]

Thank you for preserving this piece of history

[@hektor-vektor7024]

+Provocateur I bet your fun to be around

[@panzerabwerkanone]

Most tiger tanks were operated by the Wehrmacht not the Waffen SS. There is a difference.

[@panzerabwerkanone]

Wanna bet?

[@panzerabwerkanone]

The French operated Tiger tanks after the war. They were Nazi too?

[@FalkeEins]

where you'd dream that up ?!!

[@tayljordan]

I feel somehow very grateful for those who put money and time into preserving this piece of history.

[@ziggy8190]

God Bless this Museum and GOD BLESS these people who give up their time so that we can appreciate these metal beasts

[@Bodacious468]

God bless the men who sacrificed everything to face these metal beasts on the field of battle.

[@59ikm]

You don't seem to get the importance of a running Tiger I almost 80 years after it was built and captured.

[@13thSystem]

Provocateur People appreciates such because of the engineering involved, not because of Hitler, idiot. There is no law that forbids people to appreciate such German creations from the WW2 era. That's why such tanks are on museums all over the world.

[@FalkeEins]

to some extent I agree with him...the engineering involved ..was largely achieved through the massive deployment of slave and forced labour in German factories " a symbol of Nazi oppression " as the commentator says. It wasn't even a particularly good design!

[@xkopp375]

"It wasn't even a particularly good design!" Except for the fact that it was known and feared on every battlefield on which it appeared. Listen to the host of this video and do a little research. In WWII, the cry of "Tiger" meant something. Bad design indeed.

[@taofledermaus]

Good stuff! I'm glad someone didn't destroy this tank just for the sake of trying to delete history.

[@420choochy]

Damn Tao ,you pop up on a lot of the videos I search for and watch,and also subscribe to. Also your videos pop up on my must watch feed all the time. Keep shooting shells and showing people interesting items for their guns . Peace out.

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

The D-Day museum in New Orleans must be in panic of their German items considering what Miss Piggy Landrieu's husband did this past week.

[@eskeeplays7308]

They didn't destroy it because the crew had no means to because they didn't have the lever to blow the ammo load so they just left it

[@aceinternetfighterpilot]

do you play world of tanks?

[@conflicthorizon]

Not all germans were nazi.

[@matthayward7889]

Brilliant! And the shot of young David sat on the barrel was pure gold 👍

[@rsWill525]

I remember visiting the Tank Museum as a kid on holiday multiple times in the early/mid 90's. I'd have been around 6 or 7 years old, and I'm pretty certain it was there where I started to properly have a fascination with history, and it's something that's never gone away. Now it's become something of a "specialist subject" for me. Machines like this, regardless of what they symbolise for people, are some of the best tools to set off that spark in people and get them into learning more about our past and why the world is how it is today. Glad the museum is still going, and stronger than ever. :D

[@sawyerawr5783]

amen to that. I still remember the first time a radial-engine powered aircraft flew over my house; a big Lockheed super constellation. the whole world seemed to shake, the noise was tremendous, and I look up and just see this grey-painted behemoth lumber by with four churning propellers, seemingly so close I could grab the wing and take off with her (even though intellectually I knew it was several thousand feet up). similar to you, I credit that day as one of the reasons I became so interested in history. God bless the tank museum for keeping this old warrior in working order, for as long as they can.

[@wendt3557]

Will c for

[@donaldhill3823]

wow while watching this I remembered having a toy tiger tank when I was a child and it had 131 on it. Always assumed it was a random number but now thinking the toy must have been modeled after this specific tank.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

I have always felt that the Tiger 1 is the epitome of what a tank should look like. It isn't the best tank ever built, not by a long way, but it is the most 'tanky' tank. Great to see this is in full working order. A great credit to the museum.

[@TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

1 Tiger = One Tank Museum Exhibit

[@samharradence5689]

You know these guys are partnered with Wargaming. TMYK.

[@Zulikas69]

Wait, I know you.

[@Ash007YT]

We all Know him. However We are here not because of two military oriented games but here for the simple fact that we enjoy history and the technology. To find out some of details surrounding the development of military hardware.

[@Taylor-ou7xp]

The Iron Armenian aka G.I. Haigs good day Haigs...

[@joeschmoe4245]

The Iron Armenian aka G.I. Haigs I KNOW YOU I WATCHED UR VIDEOS

[@PvtRyan-ke4of]

The Tiger that was up to recently in the Deutsches Panzer Museum Munster is beeing restored to driving condition. If it is ready I want to see those both meet!

[@DifferentColt]

So they're restoring another one? Why haven't I heard of this yet...

[@PvtRyan-ke4of]

Michael Fernandez The tank is privatly owned. I thikl the owner doesn't anyone want to know.

[@DifferentColt]

Ah ok. Thanks anyways!

[@anthonyhayes1267]

Play date for the kitties

[@jamesupton4996]

I love this guy - he's brilliant.

[@okrajoe]

Fascinating chat as always. Beautiful restoration.

[@jasper_vv9692]

do a tank chat about the Ferdinand!

[@pronstorestiffi]

Would love that.

[@ZobbyGaming]

I second this!

[@sambeech6771]

jasper v utterly terrible vehicle, video over

[@invincible6197]

+Mr Vest utterly irrelevant comment, please don't reply here again.

[@sambeech6771]

Invincible why is that irrelevant?? The elephant was defiantly the worst vehicle of the war

[@jamessmart7109]

Excellent Mr Willey, I am lucky that i only live 16 miles away so i visit the museum often and a season ticket holder. The museum gets better and better every year and to see the Tiger running each year is something to treasure for as long as possible.

[@msgretrogamer]

I was lucky enough to be a VIP at Tiger day 2013 when I got this chat with David Willey in person. If anybody else ever gets the opportunity you have to do it, it's worth the money 10x over.

[@HistoryNeedsYou]

Thank you for publishing this thoughtful and intelligent analysis of this AFV and it's place both in history, contemporary culture and, more importantly, the future.

[@Sseltraeh89]

It's clean mr. Willey is man on the right place. You can tell just by listening to him talking about the museum he's giving his whole heart to his job.

[@Macaco23284]

Tiger tank: 100% charisma 100% firepower 100% fear factor 100% masterpiece of engineering

[@imperialinquisition6006]

100% way too much downtime and spare parts needed for a tank, that has to defend large areas of land far away from repair shops(which have probably needed to be moved due to bombing) meaning it will inevitably break down, if it is not knocked out anyway by an up-gunned allied tank, or chased into a ditch by allied fighter bombers.

[@imperialinquisition6006]

Still a very cool tank though

[@johndean4998]

Thoughtful & intelligent presentation, David.

[@georgedebleu]

Excellent video! Thanks for posting it.

[@BSProductionsO7]

These chats always feel casual and charming, many thanks to those who make them.

[@monkeydude3987]

It's a beautiful restoration on a tank so full of history. Thank you for continuing to do this work and put out these informative videos!!

[@6548ww]

and they did a great restoration on this beautiful vehicle

[@matthewnash9580]

I was literally at the new tiger tank room on Thursday!!! it's brilliant

[@Hugmir]

It feels very special to be witnessing a video like this one.

[@julian-xy7gh]

One of if not the most special tank in the world right now, trailed by among others the Maus at Kubinka and the Tiger II at Saumur

[@rebeccawarren2976]

A true gem. I'm not worrying about Tiger 131's future. With modern tech it will be very easy to manufacture the most wearable parts. Another fantastic video from Tank Museum!

[@tigermonkeybeijing]

I love watching Tank Chats! We're so lucky to have David Willey and David Fletcher to explain them to us

[@antil33t]

I traveled some 18,000km over to England, rented a car and drove some three hours to The Tank Museum just to see this plus the rest of the exhibits If you're not from the UK and have interest in WW2/Armoured Vehicles it's 1000000% worth the trip out there.

[@regfenster]

I admire your dedication, for me it is about half an hours drive away.

[@G_MaxX]

@@regfenster cool to hear that. I am counting my days to see this tank in person

[@darthcalanil5333]

I love all of your efforts in preserving history. keep it up guys 🖒

[@aiden9142]

Wonderful museum, it's good to see pictures but to go and put your hand on them is something I will never forget.

[@devonopdendries7722]

When I was a kid, I was building a model of a Tiger. My Grandfather saw me building it and immediately identified it, "That's a Tiger." "You know this tank?," I asked. My Grandfather looked at me with a very serious look and replied, "Those are BIG tanks." Until that moment, I never thought much about his childhood in Holland, but as I heard more of his stories, I've gained an incredible respect for his world view. I am very excited to go to Bovington in June and am really looking forward to seeing this big tank, and walking the same fields in Holland where my Grandfather once watched Tigers smash through. Such incredible history that I really have no clue about.

[@vinnyf4726]

Did you take your trip? I would like to hear how it went.

[@devonopdendries7722]

@@vinnyf4726 I did! It was so amazing. In 2017, my wife and I visited several places in Europe and I finally went to the tank museum. Sadly, the trip actually ended a few days early, as my grandfather passed away. I wish I could have told him about the trip, though it felt like he was with me. I read his memoirs during the trip and visited many places he talked about.

[@vinnyf4726]

@@devonopdendries7722 thank you for sharing, sounds like a wonderful time, i would certainly enjoy visiting Europe and the tank museum myself. My condolences for your grandfather's passing. I hope you have many happy memories sir.

[@ZobbyGaming]

I think regarding the issue of originality of the tank. And idea may be to build a brand new identical engine and drive train for use in the tank and preserve the original parts in case the day comes where it must remain a static display. At which point you may be able to present the original parts next to the tank so visitors can see what was used to power them.

[@azgarogly]

That might seem to be practical: build a copy and wear that instead of the original piece. But it is kinda against an agenda of the museum. It would be copy on display, not the original thing then.

[@DualorProductions]

azgarogly It's an 80yr old tank that has the scars of war all over it. Visually it's the same thing, keeping the innards working and in good condition for future generations should override that. Your dad's 1960s convertible may have had a new engine or a rebuild, but it'd be the same car :)

[@azgarogly]

It seems You are not getting the very idea of originality of museum piece. Newly made copy is not the original thing. Museums try to avoid using replicas as it is not what museum is about.

[@reporterid]

The thing is, as it was mentioned, if they keep using it some parts will eventually break and will need a replacement. If they're worried about that, they should either stop driving it around or do as the other two guys said here. Maybe you prefer the first option, and it's fine, but it seems the people at the museum are interested in driving it around every now and then.

[@azgarogly]

+Relaxed People at the museum have made their decisions. You might suggest making a replica, you can suggest stop driving. But the fact is they drive the tank now and then and they do driver tho original thing. Do they?

[@Balc0ra]

Finally you did a video on this. Sadly not seen this tank in person yet, this summer I'll head up and finally get a look at it.

[@ChakibTsouli]

Tank you for making these very informative videos !

[@powerslave6944]

74 years and the Tiger is still a superstar, thank God for the museum for taking care of this masterpiece.

[@StaK_1980]

I for one would like to hear more about the restoration effort, could you please make a video about that? (how bad it was, what were the challenges, resistance for public, etc )

[@genegarren833]

An incredible vehicle. Great job in restoring it. An incredible piece of history.

[@hellonwheels341]

Interesting how weapons of war become icons. Great posting I always liked stores like this. I worked on M1A1 during my 20 years of service and understand there purpose. Tank wars will never be like this again. This is on my bucket list to see 131 in person.

[@patrickbateman4148]

3:11 Wow its looks so much better with original paint

[@river6349]

Do the Panzer IV!

[@StefanNuetzel]

Such an interesting presentation of thoughts, insights and concerns. I really enjoy watching your videos because you deal with such delicate matters and war machinery in a very good objective way.

[@stephen9869]

Really well presented video, thanks!

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

Symbol of oppression or not, Tiger 131 is still a monument to the skill of the engineers that designed it, just like U-505 in Chicago, the last of the Type IX-C U-boats. Oftentimes, you can find good things that were done by people that also did terrible things. Like everything else in the world, you have to take the good with the bad. If we were to stop using everything that was developed from things that Nazi Germany did, the modern world simply would not be possible. We would have never landed on the moon or have much of the electronic technology that we have now come to rely on. Does that cancel out everything the Nazis did? No, it doesn't. But if we remember what it cost to get where we are, then the people that died in WWII did not die in vain.

[@Cragified]

To be fair in comparison to other vehicles the Tiger I was only impressive in three ways. One of which ended up being meaningless, one that had draw backs, and one that was a big advantage. The advantage being the gun. Nothing else has mounted such a powerful anti-armor gun in a fully rotating turret with protective armoring before. The actual armor itself was only slightly superior to the shielded KV-1 tanks and M6 (never combat fielded). This in itself is an impressive feat considering getting such a large gun to actually work on a turreted chassis is not and easy feat. The interleaved suspension enhanced it's mobility compared to other heavy tanks but came with huge service drawbacks. And each Tiger I was fully equipped with very high quality seals for deep fording all the way to the end of production which is quite the detail... except the deep fording was never actually used (And still hasn't ever been used in conflict to this day by any vehicle) which further increased the production cost and time. FYI Modern electronics can't be directly credited to Germany. Japan, United States, Germany, and Britain all had relatively equal development of electronics from the first functioning broadcast by professor Kenjiro Takayanag in Japan in 1926 on a cathode ray tube. By the late 1930s the industry was significantly more advanced in the United States in comparison to others in computing, radar, broadcast, etc. and the lead only increased during the conflict. Rocketry however, at least the United States' definitely owes a lot to Van Braun. Without him and other german expertise the U.S.S.R. would have been the world leader indefinitely in that field. And Rocketry was a driving force behind continual U.S. advances in electronics for guidance, control, etc.

[@venn2001ad]

I agree. There's no argument against what the Nazi Germany terribly did, but we should still separate the deeds from the inventions. Credit is due for the technological and engineering feats that they achieved, and I say the Tiger 131 is one of the symbols for that.

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

I guess I was thinking more about how far electronics were developed in general by everyone because of the war (which was kicked off by Germany, unlike WWI where it was technically started by Austria-Hungary). Things like radar, radio communication technology, and even the electro-mechanical computers that helped with encoding and decoding messages (like the Enigma or the computer that the British built to help decode Enigma coded messages.).

[@venn2001ad]

I agree. Those too. :>

[@chazt8604]

German did not develop that much tech that surpassed other nations, the allies had massive advances that the Germand could not match, many German ideas were ultimately failures or already being developed or in use by the allies.

[@trifio5242]

It is so beautiful, aesthetically I mean.

[@Sean_Coyne]

As ever, a well though out and informative video. Thanks!

[@Whitpusmc]

The wearing out issue can probably be handled by 3D additive printing processes. A group is or was using these techniques to restore an F4U by using worn parts as the base and additive printing those parts back to spec or to a point where they could be finished through machining etc into useable like new parts.

[@pinkacid]

I wonder why no one recreates the parts from old blueprints and schematics to save something like this great machine from entropy? Xx

[@daveybyrden3936]

Great idea. Do you happen to have the blueprints? We thought they were almost all destroyed after the war.

[@dillonpierce7599]

@@daveybyrden3936 isn't hard to copy the parts they have. It's been restored before anyway. Next time blueprint the thing and build some.

[@daveybyrden3936]

@@dillonpierce7599 Strangely enough, they did already copy and recreate some of the parts, but they didn't come out looking the same.

[@Flamingpenguin88]

$$$$$$$

[@hyrulehero7834]

I just looked up “the power of German engineering” and this popped up

[@StratBurst92]

The Germans made the first operational jet fighter the ME 262. that was a major feat at that time. It paved the way for all future jet aircraft.

[@murrayscott9546]

Thank you, brovvies of the the Bov, for preserving our history, their legacy for all to learn.

[@alvinthompson6333]

Keep showing and sharing your tank.

[@MyWonderApple]

David has a pretty glorious beard, very jealous.

[@Larwenful]

2:33 British Challenger tank in the background.

[@desertmandan123]

Indeed, very different to modern Chally 1's and 2's!!!!

[@InCountry6970]

I love your narration. Good job, Thumbs Up !!

[@MrJoeGarner]

I think what the museum has done over all for this tank is great, to see a piece of history around fully operational is just amazing, Perhaps I will build a model of 131. Since that's how I spend my free time now days. Thanks to the Tank Museum! O, I have this tank in World of tanks.

[@daz0705]

I really enjoy tank talk's , Do you have a Bren gun carrier at the museum ? I know it's not a tank but i would love to know a bit about them and how much use they had or if there are any good stories about them , I recently made a joke whilst online gaming about how i would dominate the game if i had a trusty bren gun carrier, No-one got the joke and quite a few had not even heard of it, comedy isn't my strongest point obviously

[@4TheWinQuinn]

Hahaa I would have laughed if I heard it, your comedy is wasted on them. I too think Bren carriers are really cool.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Daz070 - I made a kit of it in the late 1970s, and the history of it was printed in Japanese, but I know that it was used to tow artillery, and was also a troop carrier. The chassis was also the basis for a light tank. Hope this helps.

[@daz0705]

that's the sort of info i like, i have heard stories of the germans using them with infantry armed with panzerfauste after capturing some after the dunkirk evacuation, i bet that was great fun to build, i suppose it would be a simular hull to the vickers light tank the soviet's based there t26 on, i forget what i was called now.

[@daz0705]

glad someone thought it amusing lol,

[@RWJP]

Yes, they do have a Bren Gun Carrier at the museum. Here's some info about it from their online catalogue of exhibits www.tankmuseum.org/museum-online/vehicles/object-e1981-25

[@morecoffee998]

The Darth Vader of tanks

[@yourlordandsavior6940]

And the King Tiger is the Emperor? Makes sense.

[@troy9477]

Nice restoration. Glad to see that one stil exists in running condition. Samples of history must be preserved, and vintage machinery is interesting anyway. Great video series

[@allanstott6999]

I'm coming to Tiger day next week, and can not wait to see this beast. It's my first trip to the museum as well.

[@mercomania]

Forget your political views on this vehicle, it is a piece of engineering, nothing more nothing less. Just enjoy the engineering and the design.

[@America-First2024]

Merry Frog Thank you! Couldn’t have said it any better myself! 👍🏻

[@kyle857]

The reasons for it's design and the purpose matter.

[@levelcheap2435]

@@kyle857 No it doesn't? This video is not about it's purpose, but about it's design.

[@errolkim1334]

No. Its physical characteristics are totally related to the cultural thinking behind it and the thinking behind the tanks it encountered.

[@errolkim1334]

The atomic bomb was created in the USA by people who had been chased out Nazi Germany. The US rocket programme was created by people who had been rescued FROM post-war Germany. The shortcomings of the Tiger are directly related to the mindset of the people responsible for starting the war, in the same way the narrow tracks and overlapping road wheels of early German tanks reflected the utter ignorance of German top brass. They knew nothing about Russian weather and mud and snow because they knew nothing about Russia....and that's the point.

[@walkergarya]

Unlike flying an authentic Bf-109, if the engine dies during a demonstration, at least the tank will not be utterly destroyed!

[@m0ther_bra1ned12]

Pure legend. Love this tank!

[@taavikiisk]

An excellent insight into the symbolic significance of the vehicle. Despite a slightly different tone than that of usual Tank Chats, it is an enjoyable overview. I hope I will have a chance to observe the mechanical marvel in person someday.

[@fouzaialaa7962]

im tunisian and my grandparents suffered in the hands of french and not the germans in fact locals offer shelter and food for germans when they invaded tunisia and defeated the french ........ french did alot of war crimes to locals in tunisia and algeria and most of these deeds still exist .....my grandfather always tell me how the french would come to there neighborhood and execute ppl for "suspecting a treason" ppl he knew and lived with also they've beaten my grandmother when she was pregnant with my uncle when she wanted to defend my grandfather for suspect of "rescuing a german solder " so many tales that they told me about the war that was never in history books and each story make me believe more that the winner writes history as he likes

[@StellarGryphon]

The Tiger had a steering wheel? Didn't know that.

[@jackfuller8960]

Sun_skimmer 89 yea, power steering, could be turned with one finger.

[@Appletank8]

Also a swanky semi-auto gear shift. No hammers for Tiger drivers!

[@Philly_Jump_Over_The_Fence]

This 'tank chat' series really is excellent.

[@maris2353]

This is Truly a Fascinating piece of engineering. This tank must be preserved at all cost!

[@MaartenvanRossemLezingen]

It's a shame they've painted over the original paint.

[@toycollector10]

Maarten van Rossem Lezingen They couldn't help themselves. Totally destroyed its originality and patina. Like putting polyurethane finish on a rare and valuable 300 year old piece of tortiseshell veneer furniture. Hopeless.

[@randygardener]

maybe they got a government grant to do the "work" on the tiger. like the cutty sark in london, burnt to the ground in order to make a 200 million job. in the process someone gets rich.

[@terrellfair9812]

Actually the original pant chipped off and rusted they had to take this thing apart piece by piece and rebuild everything

[@Muck006]

You guys have ZERO clue about metal, machines and paint ... it HAS TO be renewed ... or the metal starts to rust away.

[@terrellfair9812]

@@Muck006 I know that's why I said they had to take it apart and rebuild it. Meaning the original paint job is long gone

[@bigdaddycone3810]

My personal theory on the crew of the tank was that they tried to surrender after the Tiger was disabled and the British just killed them and it was never officially reported, of course. I just don't buy that no one ever knew what happened to the entire crew of largely intact tank like this.

[@louisvandenbroucke4491]

actually possible, i found that most stories of german soldiers from direct sources represent them as proffesional soldiers, strict organised and cold, but fair and quite friendly once they were of duty the brittish shot livestock as they went through flanders, only for fun, their commanders were embittered and their soldiers had no discipline, and society only got worse all over europe i wish Germany won

[@spm36]

Louis Vanden Broucke well nazis like you would...

[@FrancoisLabelle-yf8tj]

Louis Vanden Broucke...you're an idiot! or 5 yrs old!

[@AlexBabcock-hw9iz]

They know the tanks number they know what happened to the crew. From the sounds of it the crew panicked and got out and ran without destroying the vehicle. Understandable but after the fact I'm sure the crew felt ashamed at letting an intact Tiger fall into enemy hands. I mean that's probably not the story you'd want to tell your children and grandkids. Yep you can actually go visit the tank I was in it's in the UK to this day as a display.

[@AlexBabcock-hw9iz]

Ahhh there's a book called Catch That Tiger that might explain it. The idea of a firefight and the crew either being injured or killed makes a bit more sense as to why they didn't destroy the tank.

[@tiamatxvxianash9202]

These video's with their 1st class historian's are Epic. An honour to all those you served.

[@smooth_sundaes5172]

As an antique and piece of tank development history this tank is priceless. The way it was captured, virtually intact, it's almost as if it was meant to be the museum piece it is.

[@bobmo7408]

the Tiger tank is the best that's the only tank was fully functional and operational that tank she'll stay in one piece to the end of time that is a reminder of the past and the soldiers who fought in it and that should never be forgotten those German soldiers back then with human as well they have rights to so I can anybody else to be remember as for those people's moral majority of those people who want to erase Nazis from the history that shall never happen you cannot erase history it is what it is whether you like it or not for the people who get all upset over Nazi equipment they do not have to look at it or know about it fat Tiger tank Shelby assistance for very long time regardless what people have on the opinions on the German army the German Army the Nazi army was not all bad they were good soldiers to face it there is no Army in this world who is 100% innocent all armies did war crimes and War does not determine who is right only who is left determines what is right that tiger tank show stay together as one piece on this Earth to the end of time to remind you of History and not to forget all the of soldiers who fought in that tank to remember them is nothing worse in this world to have a soldier forgotten about because what side he was on

[@joelvirolainen590]

Run a replica, keep the original as a showpiece.

[@anngo4140]

would cost some money to build a convincing replica.

[@terrellfair9812]

@@anngo4140 with vehicles it's always better to run the original and keep it in tip top condition. Because vehicles deteriorate the longer they sit doing nothing. Especially running ones

[@Muck006]

Hint: machines NEED to be used or they break down. The CRANKSHAFT will "settle down" in one position and BEND (i.e. become unuseable) if it isnt used, which is why all oldtimers and engines in museums SHOULD BE USED every once in a while.

[@tacomas9602]

Muck006 Are you on crack?

[@martentrudeau6948]

The Tank Museum's attitude is correct as stewards of history they are doing a needed service for the public. Thank your work.

[@CommissarBooks]

Superb video. Informative and intelligent.

[@MacChew008]

Tiger 131, is a piece of metal, from a time gone by, whereby a group of people notation of peace, justice and equality ran counter with others. Lest we forget, the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears generously were given so we may have a measure of peace today.

[@epl803]

The Liberty Bell can be considered as such. The importance of keeping such items a living, breathing reminder of the fundamental productions of man that have shaped the course of human history, cannot be underestimated.

[@OliverJWeber]

I was hoping to learn more about the history of this tank and left very much disapppointed by this content. Admittedly, it was in action only for a few weeks, but surely one could say more about it than that it took part in a "spoiling attack" and was captured afterwards. Even taking into account that from an Allied perspective the actual history of the tank during the war only began after it had been captured - being inspected by various generals, Churchill and the King himself, paraded around, being evaluated etc - one can't fail to notice that this section of the video ends after a mere three minutes, when the Tiger is brought to the tank museum in 1951. Based on this video, it seems to be much more important to the curator to talk about what happened to "his" pieces while being within the museum instead of talking about the actual history of the pieces. I appreciate the admirable efforts to maintain these important historical artefacts to posterity, but if the actual history of the pieces isn't told, the whole thing starts to become quite self-referential.

[@Nikarus2370]

>but surely one could say more about it than that it took part in a "spoiling attack" and was captured afterwards Not really. The thing was knocked out pretty much in its first engagement. Perhaps you want stories of it driving around the desert? The thing wan't even in North Africa a week before the British captured it. And before that, it was just another tiger tank coming out of the factory without any notable identity.

[@OliverJWeber]

It obviously had an interesting wartime history before it came to the museum. Are you sure you read my entire comment before you answered?

[@Nikarus2370]

Catch that Tiger is a fiction book, but it's probably more up the alley of what you want to be reading. Beyond that... no, tiger 131 didn't "obviously" have an interesting wartime history. All I've ever read about it was it moving from place to place being looked at then dismantled before the museum got their hands on it, and it sat around till the early 90s when they started restoring it.

[@OliverJWeber]

Obviously, you have a different approach when it comes to museums. I'm interested in the history of the displayed items. This tank has a history, even if you think that it wasn't important or interesting. People build it. People brought it to Africa. People fought in it. People captured it. People brought it to England. All this is history. What's the point maintaining this artefact when it's history isn't being told? This is why this tank is interesting. Otherwise, just spare yourself a lot of trouble and simply build a replica from the scratch. It will look just as impressive....

[@crabbyguy2737]

Oliver Weber ii

[@philippec46]

very good chat that was mate

[@ITOWords]

David, that was a very interesting analysis of Tiger 131's significance.

[@Stovokor41]

Tank Museum, don't politicize the Tiger. Just present the facts about the machine and if some snowflakes don't like it, they don't have to go to the museum. How hard is that?

[@c.bgelund4914]

The Tiger 1 is only a symbol of great engineering. And nothing more. It is absolutely wrong to call this Panzer VI a weapon of oppression.

[@wirelessone2986]

Very impressive restoration,very interesting conversation.It is a captured piece of enemy technology.

[@shahriar1159]

Wonderful program

[@Rickusty]

"...Defending the german takings in North Africa..." - Uh?? I mean... seriously? Lybia was an italian colony - the Afrika Korps was mainly composed by italian troops and tanks - the last to surrender in Tunisia, after the Germans, was the Italian Army under Gen. Messe (commander, by the way, of all the Italo-german army there). Totally misleading phrases, and false as well. A shame, as one would suggest a proper historical information from experts such as the, other than this excellent, famous tank museums curators (whom I really respect otherwise, and whose museum I visited on various occasions). Saying the "germans" and omitting the "italians" referring to North Africa is plain un-historic and wrong as well.

[@daveybyrden3936]

This Tiger was not issued to the Afrikakorps and it didn't go to Libya. It was owned by the 5th Panzer Army.

[@TheApocalypticKnight]

He had to throw in there some "oppression" propaganda, didn't he? I mean, God forbid he talked only about the tank. Luckily, the British tanks were symbols of liberation, since Great Britain never had colonies all around the planet, "oppressing" people there... oh wait...

[@trentjones186]

Apocalyptic Knights have you watched "the greatest story never told"? If not, you should

[@andregaitan2973]

Hahaha so funny that this is a true fact, but seriously, after all the nazi stuff, the tiger is one of the finest pieces of engineering that was used in war. Other words and effective destruction machine. No matter what side, weapons are used with just one purpose... anyway this was a nice video.

[@SPBurt1]

If you can somehow find a moral equivalency with Nazi Germany and the British Empire you are a complete twit and you lack any real knowledge of history. Name a British colony where people were "oppressed" by British rule. I can't recall any British colonies where folks were marched off to death camps or mass ethnic cleansing was taking place. But I can give you plenty of non-western examples. I may add that most folks who find fault with British rule think Mandela was a good guy.

[@11Kralle]

There may be more than one interpretations of "oppression" - You make it sound so bad... The Tiger surely oppressed the ground he was driving on!

[@polishpaul]

academics weigh all sides.. simmer down.

[@oberstul1941]

This video is like gold to me.

[@dieterwolf1122]

Thank You for that Video! Thank You for the Fairness coments about that Tank!

[@guavaburst]

Oppression is a point of view...

[@stephen9869]

Don't be a prat

[@DammalleNamenweg]

Especially if you talk about north-africa, only the "oppressor" changed

[@primo2296]

Stephen Keeler He's not wrong, One mans Terrorist is another mans Freedom Fighter... Aswell as One mans Oppressor is another mans liberator

[@mercomania]

The British would know all about Oppression, India, Pakistan, Burma, Kenya et al.

[@AB-sr9mc]

@Merry Frog exactly.

[@whatistrue0293]

To bad the the British Nation is just about gone. Without firing a shot....

[@whatistrue0293]

John Cornell Funny how living in a box in your head blinds you..

[@whatistrue0293]

John Cornell Your Capital is London. The way London goes the country goes. Give it Five Years... The good part is England didn’t surrender like France did.

[@big23man]

Epic beard David, good chat 👍🏻

[@feialot8926]

Congratulations for the channel. Fantastic

[@jfrorn]

Shame they repainted it really. It had some nice patina...

[@jfrorn]

Of course I'm serious! Look at 3:08. Repaint it? That's stupid. It's like taking a work of art and repainting it to make it look new. Profoundly ignorant. I would have fixed the drivetrain and gotten all the mechanical bits in order but left the original paint on it.

[@BRAMB0SSS]

I somewhat agree. It looks so very 'fresh' now, while before it looked more battle worn, more 'real' if you will.

[@jfrorn]

That Tiger was not some rusted out tank that sat in a lake for 60 years. It was in pretty good, if not excellent original condition. ORIGINAL CONDITION. Restoring an art piece is NOT repainting it!

[@jfrorn]

You're absolutely right. Lols removed. Please accept my apologies...

[@jfrorn]

I don't want to be 20 again! haha

[@florianthomas7852]

Its not a symbol of oppression but a symbol of a better Europe.

[@firefighters540]

Haaaa Nope

[@louisvandenbroucke4491]

with you buddy, and people are catching on, speeches are looked at in their Original form, and seen as they are,no side was perfect, but i damn well know that the axis were not the cruel ones, in comparisson

[@firefighters540]

*Were not the Cruel ones* Yaaa because Genocide, Destruction of many cultures sacred Landmarks, Forced Labor, And oppression to those who disagreed with the idea of Fascism (Aka Assassination)Is perfectly a sane thing to do (Sarcasm). There is no true perfect side in War, look example during WW2, The Soviets Raped 100,000 Women in Berlin. The Soviets were known for treating their Prisoner POW's (just like the Nazis and Japanese) as absolute nothing. They devalued the concept of Life,but Fascism does the same exact thing but just with extra steps, that is whats so wrong with Fascism. It is an ideology that comes at the expense of others suffering. Unless you were German with no Religion, No Scientific viewpoints that saw all races as Equal, That had no secret Society, That wasn't Jewish or Slavic or anyone on the lower tear of Hitlers Racial Triangle, Then Nazism would be perfect for you. But to the rest of us that are actually sane that actually don't condone Genocide as means to create the "Superior Race", We say Fascism has no place in the world and nether does Communism.

[@chooyongming110]

Conker the Squirrel Not 100000 females. It's 2 million Germans

[@cabbyhubby]

I would really like to see this tank in person, my Uncle Bert fought against these monsters in WWII , he lived through it but has now passed, I believe he would see it as a trophy!

[@Corristo89]

The Tiger was an absolutely terrifying enemy on the battlefields of North Africa: Incredible range, a massive 88mm shell, great optics, very accurate and pretty much immune to whatever the British could throw at it. They had M3 Lee/Grants, Churchills, Matilda II infrantry support tanks and various cruiser tanks (Valentines, Crusaders, etc.), but none packed the punch to hurt a Tiger. The best they could do is chip the paint. Now a Matilda II had such heavy armor that it could take a beating from the front, but its puny 40mm gun was like throwing pebbles at a charging elephant. A Tiger could wipe out anything at range with ease while the British had to get suicidally close in order to actually land a good hit. I can fully understand where the Tiger got its terrifying reputation from, even though only a few really went on the battlefield. Telling a tanker being shot at by Tiger that there were only a few out there mattered very little to him at that moment. But even so, a Panzer IV with its long-barrelled 75mm gun could take out pretty much every British tank while their shells often simply landed in the sand while the Germans would send theirs straight through relatively weakly armored tanks like Crusaders and Valentines.

[@daveybyrden3936]

Really? Crusaders and Valentines in a battle with Tigers? Did that happen? Could you name the battle? And Churchills could only "chip the paint"? Really? Because the first Tiger ever knocked out by any tank anywhere, was holed by a Churchill on 27 February 1943. There are photos and a first-person account.

[@Korculame]

Great video and info.

[@blatherskite9601]

Interesting take on the video - the softer aspects around the preservation of the tank, rather than the technical detail of the tank itself.

[@pvccannon1966]

So iconic, the word tiger tank just is something permanently connected with the second world war. They are so rare. Even if it is retired from performing as a moving tank the visual impact of will remain forever a museum top pick to see

[@user-gl5kf9jh1y]

Excellent 👍 meny thanks 💯