Tank Chats #57 Churchill AVRE | The Funnies | The Tank Museum

The Funnies playlist • The Funnies Another episode in the Tank Chats Funnies Specials, with David Fletcher looking at the weird and wonderful vehicles of 79th Armoured Division led by Major General Percy Hobart, known as 'Hobart's Funnies'.
The Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers). The Churchill was the basis for a number of Funnies. David Fletcher looks at the Fascine, Bobbin, Small Box Girder bridge, Bullshorn plough, Conger, the Churchill ARK and Bridgelayer.
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[@solbergsindre]

The most heavily armoured things at the Tank Museum: - Churchill - King Tiger - Jagdtiger - David's moustache

[@rayhan_2k841]

Wrong Challenger 2 Challenger 1 Cheiftain mk10 T72 David fletchers mustache

It's been rumoured that during his military service, he was shot 4 times by a sniper. Nothing came of it though, as the lack of armour piercing bullets meant his moustache stopped the shots.

[@BungieStudios]

It'd stop an 88 and even deflect the next shot back at the cannon. It's a national treasure.

[@michaelmarks5012]

I thought he snorted two gerbils.

[@mrrslickers5481]

@@michaelmarks5012 🤣🤣🤣

[@Panzer4F2]

More please. Put a microphone on him, give him a coffee, let him wander and ramble, and record everything. Please.

[@TheCoffeehound]

I'd gladly pay for what ever type of drinks he wants if he'd let me follow him around with a notebook and a recording crew.

[@WreckItRolfe]

Strong Irish coffee

[@markfryer9880]

Don't forget to let him go home to Mrs Fletcher, ooops that should be Dame Fletcher, she does need to see him some times well at least until he starts to waffle on about tanks again then she sends him back to the museum. Sir David's Day Care Centre is probably how the family refer to the museum. Sounds pretty good to me, waddle around waffling on about tanks and only stopping for tea and scones.

[@Desmaad]

I think he's more of a tea man.

[@BeforeTheNoose]

@@Desmaad I think he's more a warm ale man, in a handle

[@theenhancer]

"But when it hits...my goodness me." You know it must be catastrophic with that level of British understatement from Mr. Fletcher.

[@t_k_blitz4837]

Like that classic "A bit sticky" line in Korea. No nearby Americans spoke British, so they didn't realize that the commander was actually saying "FOR GAWD'S SAKE, WE'RE ABOUT TO BE WIPED OUT, PLEASE COME NOW AND PULL OUR BACON OUT OF THIS FIRE!!!"

[@nikitaastakhov9252]

@@t_k_blitz4837 *comes with a spatula*

[@Fast_Catz]

14:40 die of boredom? never, i could watch these all day

[@blackbird8632]

Fast_Catz Mr Fletcher said he could go on for months.. i got some vacation time left, who's with me?

[@WreckItRolfe]

All day, AVRE day.

[@bencejuhasz6459]

Well,I've got 5 days vacation time left,so why not?

[@arethmaran1279]

I second this motion, could listen to Mr. Fletcher go on forever, he's just so knowledgeable.

[@johnliberty286]

David Fletcher, you are a national treasure.

[@TheLoxxxton]

I watch gun Jesus on forgotten weapons now im watching tank Einstein.... wow

[@willrogers3793]

loxxxton poxxxton Holy crap, I always thought of the guy from forgotten weapons as Gun Jesus, but I never thought of “Tank Einstein” til just now! And by God, it fits!

[@catfish552]

Tank Einstein, brilliant!

[@thesleepyweasel3775]

I'd like to see Tank Einstein giving the museum tour to Gun Jesus.

[@TheLoxxxton]

@@thesleepyweasel3775 man jesus and einstein talking things going BOOM would be a sight to behold

[@AkakioS0]

Also being referred to (in somewhat more "religious" terms) as the "Tank Santa" !!! 😂😂 But, really, anything by Sir David Fletcher is an absolute joy to watch !

[@371gm]

My father was a gunner for this type of tank on D-Day. Their task was to take out an identified pill box, but when they arrived at the pill box it had been destroyed by naval gunnery. Moving further into the village, they were stopped by some infantry and were asked if they could help take out a house which several machine guns were holding up their advance. As they still had their Petard they duly obliged. He told me that the house was reduced to matchsticks.

[@SasquatchArtistBenoit]

What does the term pillbox mean

[@371gm]

@@SasquatchArtistBenoit a pill box was a concrete machine gun bunker

[@willrogers3793]

An explosion big enough to vaporize a pair of trucks, wreck 4 Churchill AVREs, kill 50 soldiers AND an unlucky family in a farmhouse that was a bit too close to the blast radius. And David describes it as “...A tremendous business and very unpleasant.” Over here in the states, we’d usually use those words to describe nothing worse than a bad case of constipation. Dear Lord, I just positively *adore* British understatement.

[@evanr1940]

big enough for a memorial - nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosie_bij_IJzendijke#/media/File:Isabellaweg_IJzendijke_monument.JPG

[@SvenTviking]

There’s a book about the Normandy campaign called “With the Jocks” written by an officer with a Highland regiment. He described an incident were a line of 120 men, each carrying 6 PIAT grenades was moving behind the lines, when one soldier tripped, his PIATS detonated, and a long drawn out sympathetic detonation went up the line, blowing them all to pieces.

[@SvenTviking]

The conger, of course, became the modern “Giant Viper”.

[@gringofett3944]

@@SvenTviking Is that a nickname for the MCLC? Mine Clearance Line Charge?

[@tomstech4390]

@@SvenTviking no doubt his report said "there was an unfortunate accident".

[@Loui5D]

I'd happilly listen to Mr Fletch waffle on about anything nvm tanks.

[@fishbob86]

Completely agree

[@davidball4815]

Everybody likes waffles

[@ArcticAmaarok]

I think the 'all time' topic where you would get the most entertainment would be politics and current events. Wise and experienced people have little to no filter and so you get a raw truth that does not suffer anything, much less fools.

[@jasoncarswell7458]

I demand a mustache grooming guide. If hipsters can do that, so can David.

[@OnlyTakk]

"or well its similar! I can't pronounce it!" David Fletcher gold.

[@SukacitaYeremia]

Anyone know how to spell it? I got Isengard lol, and I'm pretty sure that's not in the Netherlands.

[@obelic71]

@@SukacitaYeremia Ijzendijke is the place Ijzen is pronounced the same as the german word eisen (Iron) and the dijke part like dike So saying Eisendike is the best way to pronounce it for a non Dutch speaking person. There is a page of the event in Dutch and an archive wayback machine page in English nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosie_bij_IJzendijke web.archive.org/web/20140714233845/www.rcl-europe.org/ijzendijke.html

[@SukacitaYeremia]

@@obelic71 Aw shucks... Thanks Mate! That's so kind of you

[@canuck_gamer3359]

You know you're listening to a good man when he happily admits that he doesn't know something. These days the internet is full of people who think (or pretend) to know everything. It's refreshing to hear a man in a very matter of fact way state "I don't know how to pronounce it". Good man. And Mr. Fletcher sir, let me assure you that no one who came here intentionally would EVER be bored, let alone to death, listening to your information! :)

[@obelic71]

@@canuck_gamer3359 People who obtain more knowledge powered by curiosity learn that how more you learn how less you really know. Imagine knowing everything, that would be a superboring life

[@jonathanhill8691]

14:35 you obviously don't know your audience too well do you Mr Fletcher? if you made a six hour video i would watch it. Even the short video David did about the german RAL system had my full attention. we need more content from The Tank Museum, i can't get enough!.

[@WreckItRolfe]

I'd pay for audiobooks of David Fletcher reading his own books.

[@Chilly_Billy]

Indeed. Mr. Fletcher's knowledge on the subject of AFV's is amazing. We are fortunate to have him.

[@stevesandford7442]

Mr Fletcher needs to get an apprentice. Imagine all that knowledge lost when he's gone (may he live forever, tho')!

[@ashhillmodels3801]

Steve Sandford I'd volounteer.

[@LordInter]

I came to say this

[@StuSaville]

Now there's something you don't see AVRE day...

[@B----------------------------D]

Ahem...

[@peteralderson1483]

Stu Saville I see what you did there

[@orkstuff5635]

Here's your coat

[@dougjb7848]

Did you have a hat when you came in? Never mind, we’ll mail you it. Now, off with ye.

[@Corristo89]

Ba Dum Tss!

[@lindybeige]

Why have I never seen this vehicle? Is it a recent acquisition?

[@thetankmuseum]

It's in the middle of the Vehicle Conservation Centre. The AVRE has been at the Museum since 1988 and until recently it ran at Museum events.

[@dalinchasteen9797]

Oh hi lindybeige i watch your vids

[@lampshade6967]

The Tank Museum why doesn’t it run at events anymore?

[@docthebiker]

Because you got too excited by SCD doing a Lindy off.

[@Stedman75]

Doubtlessly the french had a hand in this deception

[@Antigonus.]

Can you imagine being under enemy fire, dropping a fascine into a huge anti-tank ditch and, with the fascine now out of your line of sight, driving your seatbelt-less and helmet-less steel death box over it on blind faith that the fascine didn't fall in a weird position and that you are lined up with it properly.

[@knutdergroe9757]

BALLS, Really bigs BALLS !

[@hpoelies]

Well, in that situations you don't really have any other option. To stop moving is to make yourself an easy target for anti-tank fire...

[@chaz8758]

Your already lined up for it when you drop, proper recce done and you know if the ditch is filled or requires multiple fascines - part of the reason the Chieftain AVRE did away with a big gun and was fitted with a top hamper than could carry three maxi fascines. Its worse going over a tank laid bridge when closed down - you cant see anything and its just pray you were lined up correctly.

[@phantomtherat6485]

Deathbox? Churchill? NO!!!!!!!!!

[@dukenukem8381]

fascist seen a fascine as one of their own. Hans look reinforcements! open a bottle of schnapps !

[@JeanLucCaptain]

literally has a Super PIAT as its gun.

[@SvenTviking]

Jean-Luc Martel Big bang though, wasn’t it? First time I’ve ever seen one fired.

[@codyarcher3263]

And just as awkward to load as well.

[@johnnypopulus5521]

I like that analogy, well done.

[@howardchambers9679]

AVRE cracks bunker, Crocodile flames bunker. Germans surrender sharpish

[@kentlindal5422]

... Except this actually works far more often.

[@1965Leonard]

No. I didn't die of boredom. Most interesting 18 minutes. Have the Churchill bridge layer as a model, matchbox. Built it 35 years ago.

[@SimpleWalker32]

"Does avre things" The Churchill series is my favourite simply because they were so versatile never mind just the avre with it flying dustbin. The mk VII is for me what a tank is.

[@chaz8758]

The Mk VII AVRE with a 165mm L9 demolition gun served the Sappers into the 1960's

[@jakedee4117]

What weight of explosives could it throw, I wonder ?

[@DC9622]

SimpleWalker32, Super tank, with a low casualty figures. People for get it was Churchill’s with 6 pounders that captured Tiger 131. Had they been firing APDS rounds it would not be here. Mark VII was better than the Tiger, armour, range and reliability, but didn’t have the gun. Not bad for a tank put together very quickly.

[@chaz8758]

Jake Dee, its not just sheer weight of explosives, its the type of explosive, shape of the charge that make a lot of difference.

[@chaz8758]

Tiger 131 was the sixth Tiger to be knocked out by 6pdrs - the first two fell to towed 6pdrs (which also took out seven of the supporting Panzer III and an armoured car, halting the attack and were the first Tigers to be knocked out by the western Allies) 48RTR and the NIH took out two each with their Churchills (along with numerous other tanks and Anti tank guns including 88mm's) Which included Tiger 131 48RTR also claimed the first Panthers to be knocked out by the westerne allies, with Churchills mounting 6pdrs in Italy, May 1944 (two Panthers and a Panther turm) In no case was APDS used as it was not developed and issued at the time.

[@AflacMan13]

Oh God! I've had the displeasure of experiencing Blue Clay. Peason Ridge, Fort Polk, LA. Go back in the woods a bit and you hit blue clay. We got a track stuck back there, then we got another one stuck trying to get that one out. Then we got another one stuck trying to get that one out. We finally got the first one unstuck to only get it stuck again a few yards later. Long story short... we got 5 tracks stuck and unstuck, for 3 days, trying to get each other out of this mud, broke a prop shaft, ran one of the tracks off of one trying to get it unstuck (a rock had gotten wedged in there and it threw its track, burned out a transmission, chopped down a tree (by hand with dull axes and a platoon of guys) and chopped it juuust too tall to be able to ride the stuck track over top off to get it unstuck, and finally had to call a cherry-picker maintenance track in to haul us out... and IT got stuck like 5 times and had to use it's winch and boom to haul ITSELF out of being stuck! It would haul the broken track out, get stuck in the process, spin the boom turret, unstick itself, spin it back around, unstick and literally DRAG the broken track (this was the one we broke a prop shaft, burned the transmission, and threw the track on... yeah, that all happened to ONE vehicle, trying to get it unstuck) out while getting itself stuck again, spin back around, unstick itself, and then repeated this song and dance 5 times. After 3 days, we FINALLY rode and walked out of that nightmare, with it raining off-and-on nearly the whole blasted time, having a newfound hatred of blue mud. From what I understand of it, it is typically comprised of some sort of silver oxide or cobalt corrosion or something like that. Either way... Peason Ridge (where they shot the movie Tigerland no less) is a maintenance nightmare! All because of some Blue Clay Mud. 😕

[@TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

When the Elephant goes home can we get the SturmTiger?

[@tomcomber3723]

That would be cool

[@firespei1092]

I believe at some point they already answered that, at least for the Sturmtiger in Munster. That one is so integrated into the collection that they would have to tear down half the building to get it out, so that one wont leave Munster for a long time. Edit: Or maybe it was the guy from Munster who answered this.

[@HJDore]

The Iron Armenian aka G.I. Haigs they already tried but none of the other museums wouldn’t allow them to.

[@sarjim4381]

Golden Eagle, the words "pokpung" and "ho" (note the correct spelling) translates to "Storm Arc". In Korean usage, that would be something like "storm power". Tiger is not part of the phrase.

[@dukenukem8381]

you just jealous tat they landed a sherman on a churchill and you did not

[@s.crawford12]

God I could listen to this man all day. Not a single video with him is boring or dull. So much cool info. Please keep these videos coming!

[@Wolvenworks]

AVRE: when you absolutely want to make sure whoever's behind that wall fits into a soup can

[@MarkusMaki]

I would gladly listen to David "going on" about funnies for days.

[@squeezlemons]

The story about the konga and the nitroglycerin explosion was one of the most interesting war facts I've ever heard. Its amazing to just imagine an explosion of that size. This kind of info is what makes the tank channel and Mr Fletcher so interesting!

[@QqJcrsStbt]

There was a major dynamite factory on the coast close to me. The 'Jack Straw's hill' reactor part overheated, detonated and the wooden flumes that carried the liquid NG down hill to the next production stages propagated the blast onwards. IIRC it was over a ton, maybe four or five of NG. Everything was well bunded but damage was registered something up to three plus miles distance.

[@ethanmeatzie6179]

Funnily enough, something reminiscent of the Konga is still in use by some modern armies. The US army calls it the 'mine clearing line charge', typically shortened to MICLIC.

[@j.f.fisher5318]

"I can't imagine anything worse than going into combat with tanks of pressureized napalm on my back." "Let me tell you about jerrycans full of nitroglycerin..."

[@bwilliams463]

I really appreciate the information about how these different attachments work. Most books on armour that I've read only give what the attachment's intended purpose was, not so much about how -and how WELL - they actually worked.

[@thetankmuseum]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@DiggingForFacts]

The event mentioned in IJzendijke (I-zendyke) occured on the 20th october 1944 and, apparently, remains of the incident are occasionally found in the fields until this day. Most of the local people know of the story in one form or another and the monument built records the names of the men that died in the explosion.

[@PeteBlanchard]

I found this. www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a1985367.shtml

[@philrichardson5726]

My Friends dad was a loader for the dustbin on one of these tanks, he told me the story of when he joined up having a choice of Regiments, the recruitment guy persuaded him to join the engineers, said " you will be fixing roads and bridges after all the fighting is over" Ended up on D Day in one of the first people ashore in his tank, the first spigot jammed and he had to get out of the tank to free it, in his words it felt like every German in Europe was firing at him personally.

[@andrewclayton4181]

Engineers - first in, last out. Don't believe what the recruiter tells you!

[@johnnypopulus5521]

"That's a load of tripe as far as I'm concerned"....Mr. Fletcher, your British is outstanding. You talk on & on about anything you like, it's such a pleasant experience.

[@GetFoched]

Magnificent mustaches

[@DC9622]

I could listen to David Fletcher for hours. It was an awesome machine, the AVRE, it had a lot more gadgets than I thought. Importantly they did there job and saved the lives of the engineers, sappers and infantry. Reading Patrick Delaforce’s book on the funnies some fantastic accounts, the strangest so far is when an AVRE encountered a Panther, fired the mortar, missed the Panther but hit the telegraph pole next to it destroying both. The Churchill tank in all of its versions was very successful, an amazing tank to quote Mr Fletcher, and the 6 pound version was capable of handling Tigers and Panther if operated correctly, Tiger 131 being an example. I think a big mistake was not arming some Cromwell’s with the 6 pounder, the first engagement at Villers-Bocage would have been somewhat different, hindsight is a marvellous thing.

[@panzerace6974]

And I thought the flamethrower tank was dangerous to the crew potentially. Nitroglycerin tank definitely wins.

[@SvenTviking]

Richard Dunn The Churchill Crocodile flamethrower had the flame fuel in a towed, remotely detachable trailer, and retained it’s main gun.

[@thomashambly3718]

People are always told to never shake nitroglycerin at all, yet we Brits were just YEETING nitroglycerin pipes over mine fields

[@JohnyG29]

@@thomashambly3718 Well, they yeeted the pipe THEN pumped it full of nitroglycerin. Doing it your way would indeed be suicidal.

[@sar_ptolemy]

>"pumped full of..." 'Pumped, huh? Of what, nitro....' >"nitroglycerin..." 'oh no i know where this is going' *min later* 'yeeeep.'

[@LEXXIUS]

Interesting to see, this way of mine clearing is still in use today, just with modern materials.

[@MrDgwphotos]

Known as a Mine Clearing Line Charge, or MICLIC, now.

[@whelmy]

Canadian snake a very early line clearing charge at the start of the war. except instead of being launched they were pushed forward by the Tank into the field.

[@11Kralle]

"By the way, Sir? What am I pumping here again?" "Just keep steadily pu..."

[@Malphesus]

I could watch David all day!

[@Sp00kyV0id]

1:35 fury wasn't a Sherman it was a churchill!

[@nmspy]

Copyright Abusers Caught On Camera cirqa 1943 (colorized)

[@Akm72]

I wonder if anyone used the names; 'Aggravated', 'Aggrieved', 'Annoyed', 'Miffed', 'Irked' or 'Indignant' for their tanks?

[@kethtemplar8989]

@@Akm72 in Warthunder, my first time commanding a canarvern, i fired an AP round at a panzer IV andnit bounced off his side, all my friends in the skype call heard was "ARRRGH, I'M IRKED!" And one of my friends thought i was quoting Dr. Hamsterwheel from lilo and stitch xD To this day my squad adresses me as Dr. XD

[@allthememes2188]

Theres a picture of a Sherman Firefly with Fury written on the side though

[@luketfer]

Indignant was actually probably a tank name, it really wouldn't surprise me. Also works as a ship name, HMS Indignant. Well I just looked it up and there was indeed a ship called HMS Indignant.

[@fat_biker]

I assure you we wouldn't bore us to death talking about infinite AVRE variants, quite the contrary!

[@lafouche345]

Sir David Fletcher ............ nobody deserves the title more !

[@hydorah]

At least an OBE

[@jackthebassman1]

I could listen to David all day

[@gilanbarona9814]

If you were one of my teachers in school, Mr Fletcher, you would have been my favourite. I think the Churchill Tank was the most underrated of WW2. It was a good tank that could have been improved enough to take on Germany's best. But it was also extremely versatile, especially in the hands of creative thinkers like General Hobart. This tank deserves better, really. Thanks for another great video.

[@Norrikan]

I must admit, with the facines I love the idea that something that was used at the battle of Alesia also works for a tank very nearly two-thousand years later. Some things truly are timeless, it seems.

[@xRepoUKx]

"I could go on talking about them for weeks on end" - fire away! 🤘

[@okrajoe]

"Going around and doing other AVRE things!" Story of my life.

[@axjkalsok1058]

“Tremendous business and not really pleasant” Describing catastrophes as only a Brit can

[@Ross665]

I think we would more likely die of lack of sleep than die of boredom. Could sit and watch/listen to David Fletcher ramble on for hours.

[@Maus5000]

14:40 Oh, that's a funny joke! We will never bore of you, Mr Fletcher. You're a national treasure and a brilliant presenter of fascinating information at every turn. Not that you'll ever read this...

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

Mr Fletcher, for some reason whatever you talk about people will listen! My personal theory is that when you talk you wiggle your mustache, wich produces a sort of hypnotic effect on the viewer.

[@gunner678]

A nice chap to meet in person. As a young officer on a BGT course at Bovington (many years ago 1984 I think), i came across Mr Fletcher on a visit to the old museum during an afternoon off, and he looked much the same then (tash n' all). A true gentleman, clever interesting with a great sense of humour.

[@g33keh76]

This is absolutely the most fascinating video I've seen on YT. Amazing stories from the master himself. Please be assured, and I think I speak for all of your followers, that we wont get bored if you go on some more about tanks!

[@user-tg1ro2et9j]

This thing will come to warthunder bois

[@m808bscorpionmbt3]

Indeed

[@anthonyb5564]

Great video. I can listen to tank chat all day. It's so interesting!

[@Fighter7811]

I love how he had this quick little rant about not being able to pronounce this place in holland right after saying the word, like if someone had criticised him for that, but noone did. Love these videos. Keep it up.

[@blogobre]

Die of boredom if you told us all about them all day? I suspect 75% of us live for that info.

[@markfryer9880]

Only 75 % ? Dear sir kindly revise your figures upwards. Try 90% and that's only because the 10% got stuck with work or She Who Must Be Obeyed Chores

[@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl]

"And doing other AVRE things". Absolutely brilliant a master presenter!. By the way the Churchill the most underrated tank in WW 2. There are more functions other than an anti-tank gun on tracks. That is my opinion.

[@neilgutteridge6405]

I'd go even further and say it was the best overall tank of the war.It was highly adaptable as David has described here ( best bridgelayer,best flame thrower,best mine clearer etc,etc)it was capable of taking a lot of punishment,it could traverse ground that other tanks could not,it was easier to escape from than other tanks,it could take on most German tanks in its six pounder versions particularly with the later ammunition...........all in all a tank that could perform more different tasks than any tank on either side which made it very important. It doesn't get the recognition that it deserves because people don't research it enough.....they are all too wrapped up in the sherman,t34 or tiger tanks.The Churchill is the unsung hero of WW2 as far as i'm concerned.

[@joeydehart3429]

I do not think we would ever die of boredom having you go on. You sir, are a national treasure.

[@lokeschonhult2884]

I could listen to this man talking about tanks all day

[@orbitalair2103]

Mr Fletcher, we never tire of your stories and recollections of history, please continue to film them.

[@hadesdogs4366]

The Churchill was by far the best tank Britain ever produced and yeh it had its problems but there were no other tank with as extensive modifications done to a single tank than a Churchill, where it could be a bridge layer, even be the bridge itself, mobile artillery, minesweeper, flamethrower, demolition vehicle, path layer, a tank killer, infantry support,

[@ltjamescoopermason8685]

Interesting and entertaining the museum has always been the greatest place for boys like me . I'm a big boy now and I love it still !

[@spamuraigranatabru1149]

Of course it is called a flying dustbin, you need a few when that thing is finished!

[@AnikaJarlsdottr]

Oh David Fletcher, we come to the channel to listen to you talk about tanks for weeks on end, you could never bore us when you talk about such interesting stuff. if you didn't then most of us wouldn't know about these things as much as we do now. thank you so very much, you are amazing and we love listening to you talk about tanks. shine on you magnificent diamond.

[@KingAlpaca]

14:37 David, a week ago I spent 2 full days in your amazing museum and managed to see only about half of it. We don't get bored fast...

[@hendoiii3487]

I'd love to have this man as a grandfather. Could sit and listen to his stories all day with a cup of tea.

[@catlee8064]

The Santa Claus of Tanks gives us an early present!

[@gooner72]

This man is a fantastic host on this channel, there ain't much this man doesn't know about armoured vehicles....... he's a genius!! These funnies are just typical of us eccentric British people, we always seem to think out of the box!!🇬🇧✌️

[@AnikaJarlsdottr]

David Fletcher, you are quite possible the most knowledgable person on the planet on the subject of these behemoths and I could never die of boredom listening to your amazing stories. god speed, you magnificent man.

[@noserenda]

Will never die of boredom listening to these!

[@alfadasfire]

"my goodness me" Man, this guy is a masterpiece

[@arranshirovay4064]

I really like the style of the Churchill it's beautifully crude looking It was overwhelming my visit to the tank Museum, I must return 👍

[@skullhelmet1944]

50 men and 2 trucks, that must have been horrific! The things people came up with during both world wars, never ceases to amaze me. Another great video!

[@marcdevries9027]

that concept of clearing mines is actually still used today. (like in Afghanistan) Only they don't use something as dangerous as nitroglycerine anymore

[@inisipisTV]

Don't forget that farm and it's inhabitants that got vaporized with them.

[@markfryer9880]

And the 4 AVRE tanks. Now THAT was a serious cluster duck. What happened to dispersal and traffic control of the reload area? 50 men in one accident. What a waste.

[@FlyboyHelosim]

"A dirty great bundle of sticks... doesn't sound very nice but it was." 😂

[@davidrobinson7112]

I find these chats very educational and entertaining.

[@cuddlemuffin44]

"So the tank could go about its business..." what an amazingly polite way of saying "so the tank can continue to kill everything in sight."

[@gandy84]

I can listen to this man all day! He is so soothing and really interesting to listen to. You can tell he really loves what he does

[@Voltaic_Fire]

I've somehow gone my entire life without hearing about Percy Hobart or his "Funnies" and I've gone somewhat out of my way to learn about the heroes of WW1 & WW2, I don't think it's too far to say that Percy Hobart has been criminally overlooked, I think he deserves more recognition from the current generations though I admit the same could be said about everyone from the wars, we should never forget their sacrifice. I am going to be spending this afternoon learning all I readily can about this collection of odd but incredible military vehicles, many of them appear to be precursors for modern day tanks and special military equipment.

[@ROBERTN-ut2il]

Interesting point - Hobart and Montgomery were brothers in law (Montgomery married Hobart's sister). Love to have been a fly on that wall at family get togethers.

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

And then the AVRE is free to move around and do AVRE things. You are priceless David Fletcher. AVRE things like the sudden and explosive deconstruction of annoying structures?

[@namelessentity5851]

The loading process sounds like loading a top break shotgun, but upside down. I think this 'tank' has an intimidation factor....I sure as Hell would move, and fast, if this Super Beast was pointing in my direction. That, and the Churchill's size seems imposing. The U.K. came out with some pretty cool ideas for armor, even the failures, those failures answered questions for the Engineers of what to change in the future. Thank you for posting this video ( and the others ) I wish I could visit the Museum but, you would have a hard time getting me to leave at closing time. That and I would probably put myself into abject poverty after going to the gift shop. BTW ~ Mr. David Fletcher, Sir, that is some God-Level face fuzz!!! That is a stache' of true Ultimate Power. I doff my cap in salute, Frater of the Fuzz!!!

[@russeljohn3471]

Another fascinating tank video courtesy of David Fletcher. Thank you David.

[@K_I_L_R_O_Y]

Cant wait for the War Thunder event

[@ankitdey9643]

I came to check it out for the same reason lol

[@Katster]

I would never die of boredom listening to Mr Fletcher

[@bob_._.]

I would never die of boredom listening to Mr. Fletcher, but if I did I could think of no better way to go. He's a rock star!

[@NicolasVanOost]

tanks are cool and all but i watch this videos solely for this man

[@tacticalmanatee]

Mr. Fletcher could go on about tanks for weeks and I'd gladly keep listening.

[@C0NVAIR]

4:23 "The Bobbin." is probably one of the most british things I've ever heard.

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

I thoroughly enjoy David Fletchers common sense approach to the artifacts. He knows what he talks about and is able to puncture myths with a dry remark. "Doing other AVRE-things"..... What David Fletcher does is directing the attention towards other things than the commercial diatribe - to what is really working. I have noticed that in the last couple of years quite a lot of attention has been allocated to the engineering vehicles: Bridging equipment, recovery vehicles, etc.

[@Alexplays_THE1ST]

I love hearing him saying bobbin.

[@ShadowDragon8685]

I could listen to David Fletcher talk about Funnies for days on end, really.

[@vanvan-oc4nj]

Not boring at all mr. Fletcher !! So please keep going on with your indeed interesting comments on the Churchill-variations, other Funnies and the diverse tanks !!! It is very good to know that there was more than the common tanks shooting tanks and so on. So not only very interesting for me, but also maybe for my grandchildren !!!

[@philipinchina]

That facine would keep me in kindling for the rest of my life.

[@BluJean6692]

20 out of 10, this one is a rollercoaster ride.

[@ludgerhoutman4464]

Really great to see so much original footage available!

[@bumblebeebob]

Thank you Mr. Fletcher for yet another wonderful video covering "The Funnies."

[@causewaykayak]

What a nice chap.. Marvellous spicy accounts Bored. No I could listen to him for hours. Brilliant bit of history !

[@PUBHEAD1]

This gentleman is simply epic

[@lilyfurley9833]

could listen to david all day i love how he talks the way he does

[@msgretrogamer]

David Fletcher is the most British man I've ever seen.

[@simonz28]

what an incredible wealth of information david has , could spend years listening to him

[@Zakalwe-01]

Love Churchills so much!

[@maxwellhowig510]

The bobin is basically a Howard Hughes-type-manufactured industrial-sized roll of towels! Damn

[@workingguy6666]

Great episode, David! I like that you covered many of them.

[@kohinarec6580]

This the best ASMR or Armour Specialist's Moustached Relaxation

[@marcus1980ist]

Made me laugh when he said he would go on forever! That’s why I was listening 👂 ! Well done 👍

[@landfair123]

I would never be bored listening to him.

[@wot1fan885]

We wont die of boredom plz do them all. Amazing video please do more of these funnies. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@GeneralLee131]

David Fletcher is truly a national treasure.