ajmac Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I was chatting the other day to someone with a casual interest in Armour, they didn't know what a Churchill tank was and asked what films one had been in... for reference. That got me. We see Shermans regularly, and one or two Cromwell/Centurs in Band of Brothers. Churchills on the other hand seem to have been largely forgotten. Considering the Churchill must have been one of the last wartime AFVs to be retired as a platform in British service isn't it odd that they are so poorly represented on the UK tank restoration scene - at least in running condition. Are there any currently under restoration in the UK to running condition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Are there any currently under restoration in the UK to running condition? I saw three last week standing side by side under restoration. There was one last year at Beltring, it had attended several times before, under previous ownership. Back in the early Eighties, there were at least a couple seen at events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 ajmac they didn't know what a Churchill tank was and asked what films one had been in... for reference. That got me. Are there any currently under restoration in the UK to running condition? The last movie I remember a Churchill appearing in was the 1960s "The Longest Day" a churchill Mk7 T341333 which was a trial vehicle for the 6.5in B/L gun for the Post War AVRE also fitted to the Cent. As film stars they have more problems than most tanks the nature of an infantry tank assault doesn't lend itself well to a screen play. there are several long running projects to restore Churchills in the UK. As for runners The Mk3 AVRE at Bovington, I think the Combaton collection Churchill Crocodile is a runner, i believe the David Russell Crocodile is at the Wheatcroft collection and should be runner. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agripper Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Had heard the Chrchill that ws on the plinth in Sheffield was now under restoration. Should be fairly simple as most of it was still there, engine and gearbox still insitu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 A local collector up here (Kendal) had a Crocodile which he restored back in the 80's to running condition, i beleive he sold it though, shame... it was his fault i got infected with this sickness for green stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 agripper Should be fairly simple Depends on what it is being restored as- As an Mk7 AVRE it would require the phough etc, which assuming a wreck could be found on a range (there weren't that many converted) is a possiblity. As a conversion back to a Mk7 the turret front would need reworking as I think the 6.5in mounting required an enlarged apperture. Assuming no further damage was done by vandals the gearbox would be Ok but if the story of the engine being run dry until it failed would certainly require a replacement motor. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Have a look at the Internet Movie Database. www.imdb.com I think, and type in Churchill tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 The movie The Small Back Room 1948 has a sequence showing a weapons trial on Salisbury Plain (c/w Stonehedge in the background of a firing point-just in case the audience didn't know the ref. to salisbury plain). The target is an early Churchill Mk1-2. (The movie has an early appearance by the actor Sid James, as a publican.) There are a number of propergander newsreals that show Churchills, one springs to mind shows Churchill Mk4s of 144th RTR (East Lancashire Rgt.) during a cross country run. Later 144th served in ETO in Shermans. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Steveo578 As for runners The Mk3 AVRE at Bovington, I think the Combaton collection Churchill Crocodile is a runner, i believe the David Russell Crocodile is at the Wheatcroft collection and should be runner. There is a second Mk7 probably a Croc. at the Wheatcroft collection it is a later model fitted with 4 bolt spaced out armour attachment points. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 A local collector up here (Kendal) had a Crocodile which he restored back in the 80's to running condition, i beleive he sold it though, shame... it was his fault i got infected with this sickness for green stuff I beleive, according to the Churchill register that this Croc' went to the Wheatcroft collection so could well be that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I saw three last week standing side by side under restoration. There was one last year at Beltring, it had attended several times before, under previous ownership. Back in the early Eighties, there were at least a couple seen at events. Last time I saw 3 sitting side by side under restoration was with a certain firm out Ashford way who shall remain nameless (but don't do a wonderful job on Stalwarts) - there was a Crocodile, a Mk VII and a very early one - a Mk III perhaps??? I know I was filled with evil thoughts at the sight of them!! :rofl::rofl::rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Bodge Deep I beleive, according to the Churchill register that this Croc' went to the Wheatcroft collection so could well be that one I should have looked at "armour in focus" site first, but I actually spotted it while I was looking for the Matilda for the other thread. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les freathy Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Dont know about where are the Churchills but how about this cracking shot of a Churchill on a ferry during traing in 1942 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G506 Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Also the example outside the D Day Museum in Portsmouth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 There are a few non runners about -again Armour in Focus Churchill site is useful, but without listing all they spread from Eden Camp in Yorkshire to Isle of wight and of course Bovington has non runners- The Bovington Mk7, the last built tank was delivered there without being issued, should be a candidate to get running if there ever was one. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Warne Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 There's also a Churchill Crocodile at Fort Mont Barey (sp?) on the Western side of Brest, Brittany. Although the liberation of Brittany and the Brest peninsula was a largely US affair, Churchill Crocodiles were used in the battle. I think it's complete, but is a static exhibit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rippo Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 I think this is what your looking for, http://freespace.virgin.net/chris.shillito/a22new/register/thelot.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 There was a Churchill in Fort Newhaven, years ago. It was moved from there and went to a museum in France, possibly the one in Brest (?). Our local REME TA unit were involved in the recovery, as it had to be winched over an embankment at the Fort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakey985 Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 We have 2 over here in the museum, one croc and one gun tank out of the 70 odd recived after WW2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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