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Posted

Hello everyone, 

I am involved in a number of projects relating to WW2 and my home County and as part of one of these projects I have been asked to look into a possible new build Churchill Tank and I was wondering if anyone here would know roughly how much a new build tank would cost? Or be able to provide any useful information or guidance. 

Thank you all in advance and I look forward to hearing from anyone who is able to help.

Kindest regards, 

Aaron 

Posted

When Guy Martin was involved with that WW1 replica tank, I seem to remember them talking about raising well into six figures as well as getting a lot of work done by volunteers. But what model would you go for, there were so many to choose from. Then there are the specialist ones, Including the one with a Sherman main gun.

Posted
47 minutes ago, john1950 said:

When Guy Martin was involved with that WW1 replica tank, I seem to remember them talking about raising well into six figures as well as getting a lot of work done by volunteers. But what model would you go for, there were so many to choose from. Then there are the specialist ones, Including the one with a Sherman main gun.

Thank you for your reply this sounds very interesting, I haven’t seen the Guy Martin programme before (as of yet).

I have been looking into the project for a while and the project will/is based around local history and I know from my research that the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited (GRC&W) constructed Churchill Mk.I to Mk.III Tanks and it would most likely be one of these examples which I would be looking to build a replica of. 

I also know GRC&W built a Mk.I Mild Steel Prototype.

I know and understand a full scale armour plated working replica would and could be pricey which is why I am also looking into all avenues and options at the moment.

Posted (edited)

You would not use armour plate or indeed steel of the same thickness if you were building a replica (just give the external impression) .  To do so would be prohibitively expensive and very few companies in the country would be able to fabricate in such scale.  If you are doing this with the full support of the City Council and veterans organisations you may be able to aquire / buy a bare hull that has been on a range and rebuild a static vehicle from that, but still at great expense.   If you are working for an offical body and or have a very rich benifactor, I would recommend you identify yourself as such if you want to be taken seriously by dealers / Museums.

Edited by REME 245
Posted
9 minutes ago, REME 245 said:

You would not use armour plate or indeed steel of the same thickness if you were building a replica (just give the external impression) .  To do so would be prohibitively expensive and very few companies in the country would be able to fabricate in such scale.  If you are doing this with the full support of the City Council and veterans organisations you may be able to aquire / buy a bare hull that has been on a range and rebuild a static vehicle from that, but still at great expense.   If you are working for an offical body and or have a very rich benifactor, I would recommend you identify yourself as such if you want to be taken seriously by dealers / Museums.

Thank you very kindly for this. 

The project will be part of a relatively new museum that has slowly been setting itself up since 2016.

I have been thinking of more a static example rather than a working example but I am looking into all options and avenues at the moment but it is looking like a static example would be the way we would be going but with the possibility of having the external and internal looking like an original but with no engine but as I said looking into all aspects and avenues at the moment.

Posted
1 hour ago, John F said:

I've seen some good full-size static models made out of wood, is that an option for you? It'd certainly be cheaper.

If the new museum has any space constraints, then it would probably also be more flexible as an exhibit if it was made of wood or similar - if it was a policy to periodically change the items on display, then moving a range wreck, a static, cosmetically-restored 'original' or even an unpowered new-build replica in mild steel or whatever isn't necessarily going to be a simple matter.

If you're also going to display railway rolling stock, then this may be something you've already taken into account, but worth bearing in mind.

Kevin

Posted
1 hour ago, John F said:

I've seen some good full-size static models made out of wood, is that an option for you? It'd certainly be cheaper.

It is an option, we are happy and willing to look at all options available, costs involved and all the details before a final decision is made, either way we would probably looking to fundraise for its construction as it will be a museum piece. 

Posted
16 minutes ago, 11th Armoured said:

If the new museum has any space constraints, then it would probably also be more flexible as an exhibit if it was made of wood or similar - if it was a policy to periodically change the items on display, then moving a range wreck, a static, cosmetically-restored 'original' or even an unpowered new-build replica in mild steel or whatever isn't necessarily going to be a simple matter.

If you're also going to display railway rolling stock, then this may be something you've already taken into account, but worth bearing in mind.

Kevin

Hi Kevin, 

Thank you for your detailed message/comment. 

At the moment the museum is a portable mobile museum but we are looking into land and buildings at the moment which will allow us to build the museum around our collection providing the space needed as and when required.

With regards other aspects, the museum has access to a number of WW2 railway wagons which were used for carrying tanks and it would be possible to put the Churchill on one of these wagons as part of a display as well as ease of moving the display and collections around as and when required. We also have access to a number of other WW2 items which will on the occasion be used for displays and events. 
 

At the current moment we are looking into the viability and costs involved of creating a Churchill Tank replica whether that be a full working replica, wood and steel or part original/part replica. We are willing to listen and look into all potential options and the associated costs. 

 

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