It’s the last day of this year’s sold out TANKFEST at the Tank Museum at Bovington, but just like Glastonbury, you can watch the fun online, on YouTube.
Organisers are urging tank fans not to turn up to the Museum this weekend without a ticket for the event – but, of course, you’re welcome once it’s over, throughout the summer.
The Tank Museum team have clearly been having fun promoting this year’s TANKFEST, utilising comic-inspired art by Kevin Williamson, aka Kwill, to promote it – and there’s a range of his tank prints on sale in their online shop, including a faux American comic cover featuring a German Panzer VI Tiger tank.
(131 is the registration of the particular Tiger at the Museum and the only running Panzer VI Tiger in the world, which is why Bovington promotes it so heavily. It featured in the Brad Pitt film, Fury).
If you have missed out on TANKFEST tickets, you can still see tanks in action today via the Museum’s free livestream on YouTube – and see exclusive behind the scenes video content. Find out more here
If Giants Ever Met – Art Auction
There’s still time to bid to own “If Giants Ever Met”, a new original artwork from artist Mick Graham to celebrate the Museum’s successful completion of the FV4005 restoration project.
The FV4005 project began in the 1940s, to build a gun able to defeat new Soviet heavy tanks. The 183mm calibre L4A1 remains the biggest gun ever fitted to a tank. The project was abandoned in 1957, and an FV4005 turret was donated to The Tank Museum in 1970, becoming a gate guard in 2008 with a spare Centurion hull.
The unusual shape has always caused interest, but the popularity of this tank came via videogame creator World of Tanks. Since then, the Museum received numerous requests to get the FV4005 running, and after successfully raising the funds to do just that, thanks to the fundraiser supporters and World of Tanks, the Museum, with A.W Hewes, have been able to restore ‘Spud’ to running condition, which is making its debut at TANKFEST 2024.
The Tank Museum are auctioning the original framed painting by Mick Graham, also available to preorder here as a special print, with all proceeds going directly into supporting The Tank Museum and help to fund projects such as the restoration of the FV4005.
The auction ends on 30 June at 5.30pm BST and you can place your bid here
Mick was asked to imagine the FV4005 if it had come into service, and produced this moody scene, with a victorious FV4005 cautiously making its way past the Soviet IS II it has just destroyed – in reference to the specific threat of heavy armour it was intended to counter.
A self-taught artist, Mick Graham is an Tank ex-crewman with happy memories of his experience within the 4th Royal Tank Regiment, and enjoys bringing those memories to life in his artwork. He still finds it funny to this day that he had a tank licence before he could drive a car.
You may have seen Mick’s artwork in Army-themed art exhibitions, in regimental messes, on the cover of a published book, or in many art-collectors homes.
About the Tank Museum
The Tank Museum, which has a permanent display of some original “Charley’s War” art from Battle comic, brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays.
Come face-to-face with over 300 huge military machines and hear about amazing experiences as you explore their ten powerful and awe-inspiring exhibitions covering over a century of history.
With trails and quizzes, interactive games and exhibits, indoor and outdoor play areas, and free talks and tours, you can spend the whole day at The Tank Museum without getting bored. In the spring and summer holidays, you can also see Tanks in Action and ride round the arena in an M548 tracked vehicle.
Kevin Williamson, aka Kwill
After studying graphic design and illustration at Newcastle College of Arts & Technology Kevin Williamson, aka Kwill, has accumulated more than 20 years experience working for advertising and marketing agencies in London and across the south of the UK.
Eventually moving to Dorset, he now lives and work on the scenic Jurassic coast which offers constant inspiration for new drawings and illustrations. He works in several mediums including pencil, watercolour and the new and exciting medium of digital.
Kevin is producing illustrated posters and cards of Dorset and the surrounding area, inspired by the flat graphic style of the travel posters of the 1940’s and 50’s, particularly the artists Frank Sherwin and Norman Wilkinson.
• The Tank Museum is at Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG and online at tankmuseum.org |YouTube
Thanks to Jeremy Briggs for the heads up
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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