wwii axis reenactment forum

It is a fair drive down from Normandy but worth the time - the tank museum at Saumur.
A massive collection of tanks of all nationalities from WW1 through to the modern day , of particular interest a huge section on German Armour , many of them "runners".
A King Tiger , Panthers ( Two of them plus another being worked on) , panther recovery tank , Tiger 1(E) , Pz II , Pz III , IV , Marders, Hummel , Wespe , several Stugs , Hunting Panther , "Guderians Duck" , half tracks , soft skin vehicles - a full day to see it all.
It is odd to watch the cleaning staff - part of their duties being to dust the tanks - feather duster to a Tiger !
Attached a few jpegs of the panther which is in running order ( can be seen on U-Tube) and a rather rare version of the MK II. ( Lynx)
The museum has a well stock shop, lots of models etc , but if you are there for the day bring your own eats.
The link provides a taster - well laid out the only problem is the number of skylights which sometimes makes photgraphy difficult.
http://www.peachmountain.com/5star/Muse ... n_WWII.asp

A few more of the rtank Museum , including that superbly restored Mk V.








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nice pictures james dose the Tiger 1 have its transport tracks on?

Yes Alan , surprising that - you so seldom see them - they look like an ill fitting shoe in contrast to the wider battle tracks.
Saumur is a fair hike down from Normandy - it is a days drive , and a good days drive there and back - anyone doing it from the coast best to have somone to share the driving with .
The museum itself allow as much time as you can , 4-6 hours , but if you have not seen it before it is worth it.

Tychsen wrote:Yes Alan , surprising that - you so seldom see them - they look like an ill fitting shoe in contrast to the wider battle tracks.
Saumur is a fair hike down from Normandy - it is a days drive , and a good days drive there and back - anyone doing it from the coast best to have somone to share the driving with .
The museum itself allow as much time as you can , 4-6 hours , but if you have not seen it before it is worth it.

i thought that , they fitted them when they where transporting the tigers via railroad ,the normal tracks overhung the train carriages!!
thanks for the info there James

Alan , I gave you nothing you didn't already know .
The inside of the tank has been well destroyed - th e floor pan on the turret cradle is still there but apart from that very little.
I have noticed from various photos seen on the interent that the tanks are moved around from time to time - now that must be a cruel job which takes some planning.
Something which was worth seeing the floor under the King Tiger - oil leaks - marks her apart from many of the others , the noise of her staring up in the viewing hall must be something else - that and the exhaust fumes.

Tychsen wrote:Alan , I gave you nothing you didn't already know .
The inside of the tank has been well destroyed - th e floor pan on the turret cradle is still there but apart from that very little.
I have noticed from various photos seen on the interent that the tanks are moved around from time to time - now that must be a cruel job which takes some planning.
Something which was worth seeing the floor under the King Tiger - oil leaks - marks her apart from many of the others , the noise of her staring up in the viewing hall must be something else - that and the exhaust fumes.

Yes nothing beats the sound of a King Tiger starting up or maybe a panther
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=FSc6dWyVMhg

If you should go by train as I did, it's a lovely ride along the bank of the river, the museum is miles the other side of town. Get a cab. Dont walk as I did and waste a couple of hours.
The castle/chateau at Saumur is also worth a look see. Very comanding position over the town.