MILITARY might from the past seven decades thundered into action over the Purbeck landscape on Sunday as Bovington's giant tank festival got under way. (June 3)

Thousands of visitors flocked to the tank museum's third Tankfest to see some of the world's most famous armoured fighting vehicles put through their paces. And the firm favourite of the day was Bovington's lovingly restored Tiger 1 German tank which made its first triumphant half lap to the delight of watching spectators.

A team at the museum has spent the past five years restoring the Tiger, which was captured from the Germans in Tunisia during the Second World War. Concern that engine problems might postpone its first public outing proved unfounded and the visitors weren't disappointed.

Victoria Powell from the museum said: "There was a huge crowd waiting for the Tiger 1. It was the one tank many people had come to see.

"There are only six of them left in the world and we have the only working model. When it was parked up after the display, you couldn't get anywhere near it."

Tanks dating from the Second World War right up to the British army's latest Challen-ger 2 rolled over the outdoor circuit for Bovington's biennial display of military power.

Around 45 vehicles from the museum's huge collection were on manoeuvres, including Leopard, Scorpion, Snow Cat, Centurion and Sherman models.

On June 3, there is the chance to see more tanks in action in a battlefield display on the outdoor circuit, complete with pyrotechnic explosions.

First published: May 25