TANKFEST 2026 & The Tank Museum, Pt 1

For Father’s Day this year, my brother suggested taking Dad to TANKFEST, the annual event held at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. Yes… yes, let’s do that! Having visited the museum a few years ago with the folks, I’d been keen to return.

TANKFEST runs for three days in late June each year, from Friday to Sunday. Tickets are available for single-day or multi-day access. We opted for the Friday, the opening day. At £39.95 a ticket, the price seemed reasonable, particularly as it also included access to the museum.

So, what is TANKFEST?  As the names suggests it’s the Mecca for tank enthusiasts who want to see their Airfix models in full-size metal.  The event centres around a large arena where spectators get to see tanks and fighting vehicles, from the World Wars through to modern-day military kit, driving around a large purpose-built arena.

The sound of tank tracks took me back to any sleepy Sunday afternoon spent watching WWII war classics such as Battle of the Bulge.  There are also live re-enactments, with vehicles and infantry demonstrating period tactics with pyrotechnics.  More on that later.  There’s an education area next to the arena with active servicemen on hand to explain the current vehicles in service, along with historic guest vehicles waiting go out into the arena.

Getting there is pretty easy, unless, like me, your SatNav decides to take you into Bournemouth rather than around it.  Arriving and parking up had the nostalgic feel of turning up at a car boot sale or village fête. Men in hi-vis jackets directed us into a field, where parking was free.

Given the heatwave, there was little risk of getting stuck in the field.  From there, it’s a short walk to the event entrance. The queue looked long, but it moved quickly and took no time at all, including the obligatory bag checks. Then you’re in.

TANKFEST is, as you might imagine, an overwhelmingly gammon affair, with the notable exception of the rent-a-mob security.  Judging by the accents, it’s not all just real Brits either. There were plenty of descendants of other Allied and Axis nations in attendance.

Before the official opening event in the arena, we headed over to the education area to take a look at some of the current kit and guest exhibits. I wanted to see the Nashorn.

The WWII German tank destroyer Nashorn at this year’s event is the last of three left and the only one that runs. Restored after a fire in 2019 by a group in the Netherlands.  It was due to be at TANKFEST in 2023, but was impounded by French customs…Bloody French.  I got a couple of shots of the beast.

A German Panzerjäger (Tank Hunter) it’s based on Panzer III/IV chassis, developed as a stop-gap in 1942.  It mostly saw action on the Eastern Front, with fewer on the Western Front.  It was sat along-side other guest tanks a Leopard 2A4 and a Sherman Jumbo.

The M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo a heavily armoured assault tank variant of the American M4 Sherman, developed in early 1944 to breach German fortifications.  There was also Challenger II (I think), but it was mobbed, so we headed off to the arena for the event opening.

Getting to the arena, free spots were at a premium, with the lucky souls holding unlimited tickets able to access the covered grandstands. Given the heat, it was a shame that basic ticket holders like us didn’t have access to them.

…2-Tier TANKFEST 🙁

TANKFEST 2026 was officially opened by Warrant Officer Class 1 Johnson Gideon Beharry, recipient of the Victoria Cross. He drove a Warrior vehicle into and around the display arena before stopping for an interview and to carry out the opening ceremony duties.

The story of why he was awarded the VC is detailed on Wikipedia. (I know, …but it’s non-political, so likely to be unbiased so quoting it here).

“Actions in Iraq – On 1 May 2004, Beharry was driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle that had been called to the assistance of a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. The Warrior was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades, causing damage and resulting in the loss of radio communications. The platoon commander, the vehicle’s gunner and a number of other soldiers in the vehicle were wounded. Due to damage to his periscope optics, Beharry was forced to open his hatch to steer his vehicle, exposing his face and head to withering small arms fire. Beharry drove the disabled Warrior through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety. He then extracted his wounded comrades from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He was cited on this occasion for valour of the highest order.

While back on duty on 11 June 2004, Beharry was again driving the lead Warrior of his platoon through Al Amarah when the vehicle was ambushed. A rocket propelled grenade hit the vehicle six inches from Beharry’s head, and he received serious shrapnel injuries to his face and brain. Other rockets then hit the vehicle, incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his life-threatening injuries, Beharry retained control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He required brain surgery for his head injuries, and he was still recovering in March 2005 when he was awarded the Victoria Cross”

Source: Creative Commons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Beharry

During the arena interview, Beharry was clearly emotional, at one point losing his voice. He was driving a Warrior again for the first time since he was injured in 2004. What only clicked later, when I looked into his story, was that he was driving the actual vehicle in which he had been ambushed in Iraq.

During the interview, he said it brought all the memories back, but also gave him a sense of closure. A brave man indeed. It was quite dusty in the display arena.

Next up, a rare sight in the arena: a main battle tank charging in at breakneck speed. First came a Challenger I, then a Challenger II and, you guessed it, a Challenger III (so new it’s not even in service yet).  As a non-Top Trumps player, I couldn’t see much difference between them, apart from the different paint jobs and extra armour plates. But what do I know? Seeing all three together is a rare event.

We also got a briefing on the Challenger III: better armour, an improved targeting system and, yes, the use of “AI”.

There was no mention of how the new tank would deal with drones, which I would argue is the most pressing question for all new tanks. Yes, the Challengers were big, fast and loud, but I did have the slightly sad thought that the key role of main battle tank on the battlefield may be a thing of the past.  I’m not entirely sure why that feels sad, given that they are expensive killing machines, but this is TANKFEST!

The trio departed the arena in a cloud of dust, and we headed for the cooler halls of the museum and a drink.

In Part 2, A walk-through of the museum and the TANKFEST battle re-enactments.
 

© foxes1884 2026