When the Elefant was sent to the UK for display at Bovington Tank Museum there where voices of concern raised; so take a look inside and see what you think of its current location.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Excellent quick summary of the vehicle and a fascinating look at a long-neglected relic. Glad to see they are returning it to pristine condition.

What were the "voices of concern" that you refer to?

There were a number of posts about 'it shouldn't happen' generally.

a while back this was featured on a British TV show - (Sorry, ive forgotten the shows name) - but they only tarted it up really and didnt do the interior or get it running .....shame , considering where it was and who was doing the work....

Hey Darren, did they let you walk all over their museum exhibit? Cool! Saw it myself last October, but didn't get anywhere near as nice pics with my cheapo phone camera...

Kev, if I recall correctly there's nothing inside that could be fixed to make it a runner.

First, it would be nothing short of a miracle to get the Elephant back up and running; the engine and electodrive components simply don't exist as spares anywhere making the task nearly impossible from a cost perspective. Second, as to the silly people whining about the Tiger exhibit: really? Why? followed by a muttering of "wankers" and other unprintables. Does anyone know if this particular vehicle had Zimmerit applied originally, and if so it's a shame that it was so thoroughly removed. Does anyone out there have any decent pics of the inside of the fighting compartment? I've got the old Jaguar interior set and wanted to confirm its accuracy before starting on it.

Oh, and I nearly forgot: thank you very much for the excellent pics. If I ever get around to finding them I have a nice series of interior photos of a Sturm Tiger that I'd like to share that I took back in '02 at Sinsheim.

Thanks for the photos . The Tank Museum in their Tank Chats section on you tube has a video about the Elefant with a few seconds of internal footage . Kind of reminds me of the inside of the Maus , all the small stuff has been removed,trashed or stolen leaving the gun breech and ammo racks ...pity

The Tank Overhaul episode featuring this Elefant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPA_murrUfU

At 26:37 they show the interior. It's gutted and rusted. It would take years and millions to restore. It's only on loan so it's going back to the states after the exhibition is over.

Yes it did - I've seen a pic of it just after capture, covered in smiling GIs, with the typical zimm that comes about 1/3 up the casement. But rotting in a field for decades allowed the weather to soften it and make it fall off! (The real stuff is only glue and sawdust...)

Kind of weird, don't you think? You can easily find interior shots of almost any German tank that you'd care to mention, but apparently not the Ferdinand/Elephant. What a shame. Oh well, the search goes on.

Very cool,I got to see this vehicle in Aberdeen,summer of 2008 before they closed the museum.I seen it previously in 1988,back then it was simply painted gray.By 2008 they had restored it.

Anybody know where the Aberdeen King Tiger is,it wasn’t there in 2008

National Armor and Cavalry Museum Ft. Benning

Hey all,

Saw this article and discussions afterwards, figured I'd contribute in a small way.

I'm currently located in Virginia, and have been fortunate enough to get to know the folks that manage the Aberdeen collection at Fort Lee. Once the Elephant is returned to Fort Lee, I could potentially get some photos of the inside. I know it's in poor shape given the lack of funding, but there is discussion regarding the refurbishment of some of the collection. More to follow as events unfold but once it's returned, I'll be sure to send photos.

But is it on display? I was there on a school field trip in 2016 and I did not see it, nor any of the other German vehicles I heard were being moved there. All I saw were the U.S. tanks they have had outside (and the few smaller vehicles inside). If it's on display now I can make that trip as it is only 3 hours from me.

I just visited The American Heritage Museum in Hudson, Massachusetts. There I saw the Panther A completely rebuilt and restored to full running condition by Jacques Littlefield in California. It was featured on Tank Overhaul #2 on YouTube. It is the only operating Panther in the USA.

Pulled from a river in Poland with its left side blown off, it has been restored to full running condition and is in pristine condition.

I mention this because it shows just what can be accomplished if the money, facilities, and motivation exist. Littlefield had his people manufacture replacement parts in order to achieve the goal. It could happen.

By the way, all of the tanks at the museum are in running condition except for three, an M4 that has been broken down to show the interior, an M4A1, and a Soviet JSII that has been configured to "burst into flames" whenever the Panther "fires" into it. It is well worth visiting.

I must also ask, why were people against the Bovington Tiger display? It makes no sense.

But is it on display? I was there on a school field trip in 2016 and I did not see it, nor any of the other German vehicles I heard were being moved there. All I saw were the U.S. tanks they have had outside (and the few smaller vehicles inside). If it's on display now I can make that trip as it is only 3 hours from me.[/quote]


Is it on display - - NO!
There is a collection at Benning, YES, that's for sure but it is not on display nor open to the public. Even those stationed on base have to #1 - know of it's existence and #2 - seek out the appropriate individuals to get access. I am told that we are lucky the politicians didn't cut it all up for scrap.

I would rather the politicians be cut up for scrap. At least then they might be of some value.

Great article,am I correct in saying that is the one that was at the Proving grounds in Aberdeen? I saw it finished as shown in my 2008 visit,but I cant find my pictures.Was it all grey before the renovation?

I was at APG in 2002 and 2004 or 2005.
I never got to see the elefent, tiger I or tiger II.
It was disappointing.
But i did buy the Dragon Ferdinand at the gift shop,

Yes, it is/was.