Museum’s race to bring Centurion back to life

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Norfolk Tank Museum hopes to have Centurion ARV running by August

The Centurion before restoration began, inside the Norfolk Tank Museum hangar
pictures Norfolk Tank Museum

Six years outside on the ranges and 20-plus years in a museum shed are not good for the workings of a military vehicle. But when the body is broken, there is still something in its soul –a combination of history, engineering prowess and fellowship that sustains the spark.

And there are plenty of people prepared to use their skills and their passion to revive it.

That is why a Centurion armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) Mk 2 FV4006 that was little more than a rusting hulk and a hint of history will soon be roaring into life again.

A dedicated team of volunteers at Norfolk Tank Museum is stripping down, cleaning, refitting and revitalising the 50-ton vehicle.And they plan to announce its revival with a show-stopping demonstration of power and poise at the museum’s Armourfest 2022 on August 13 and 14.

The hoped-for sunshine and beaming smiles are still on the distant horizon for the workforce, though. They have been facing the cold months of the museum’s winter and early spring lockdown, battling frozen fingers and plenty of frustration as they fight to get the Centurion moving again.

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