Tankfest 2006!

Armchair General

Following the Royal Marines, the British Army gave a display of some of their modern equipment – beginning with some tracked artillery and a small scout vehicle.

The Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) was next, sharing many features of the earlier Chieftain, this is one of the most powerful Tanks in the world.

As the Challenger crested the small rise in the arena, the commentator provided us with technical information about the MBT’s targeting system. The Challenger is able to automatically acquire a target, calculate a firing solution and prepare to line up the next target for a shot before the first target is even destroyed. Sitting atop the rise, the Tank Commander swivelled the turret to and fro menacingly before heading down in a controlled descent to continue the display.

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Something rather smaller, the Scorpion tank positively raced around the track throwing up dirt and water. Ironically, the Museum staff had actually wetted down the arena track before the show to avoid dust flying everywhere. Needless to say, the heavens duly opened.

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