Tiger I tank of the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

Martin Cohen · Post by **Martin Cohen** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:36 pm

The early model Tiger I (hull No. 250031) captured from the 501st Heavy Tank Battalion in Tunisia remains property of the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum of Aberdeen, Maryland. Since arriving in the USA the tank hull was cut away to show areas of the interior. In about 1989 the Tiger was loaned to the Sinsheim Auto & Technik Panzermuseum Munster in Germany with the understanding that there it would be restored, and in return the Museum could show it for a ten year term. The Tiger I was not restored while there.

Kevin Wheatcroft of Leicestershire <http://www.wheatcroftcollection.com/> offered to remove the Tiger I from Germany and restore it at his facility in the UK. This plan was approved by the US Army with the understanding no private party can profit from the effort. The work in the UK was completed as planned and it looks good; there is a video on the Internet showing a crew member position that would obviously have been taken from the exterior vantage point through the cut away area. The engine can be started and run however, the US Army has no plans to do so. The goal has always been to restore to running condition but not run it since if you run it then in time it will wear out, break, or at least become contaminated.

On 3 April 2006 a C-5 Galaxy assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing and flown by members of the 512th Airlift Wing, a Reserve associate unit at Dover, departed Dover Air Force Base, Delaware bound for Ramstein Air Base, Germany with supplies for the US Central Command. This aircraft was assigned the task of returning via the UK and picking up the Tiger I for return to the USA. After take off and initial climb, the crew noted a warning light and returned to Dover, but on the approach human error crashed the aircraft. The crew of 17 and most of the 105,000 lbs of supplies survived the crash.

In Summer 2006, the US Army sent a representative to visit the Tiger in the UK. Most recently the US Army Center of Military History is working to get their paperwork in order to return the Tiger I to the USA. Rules have changed of course over the years, and this complicates matters somewhat. It is now a matter of the JAG approving aspects of law that the Center needs to comply with. It will not be too much of a problem to arrange its return, probably via the US Air Force.

The Aberdeen facility lacks the interior space to properly exhibit its entire collection. So for safekeeping upon its return the Tiger I will be warehoused but available to be seen by appointment. Plans call for the Museum to be relocated to Fort Lee in Virginia, but funding delays have set back these plans. And before the collection moves from Maryland to Virginia there are issues for the tanks since these must be cleaned of fuel, lead based paint, petroleum Hazmats etc, prior to the move. The shops at Aberdeen can do this work.

The Tiger I remains safely stored by Mr. Wheatcroft and there is no disagreement between the involved parties, and there is no question what the outcome will be - it will return to the US Army. This is not a secret or guarded matter.

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:24 pm

Martin

Thanks for sharing the great information.

Kind regards

Tim

Mike Kasputis · Post by **Mike Kasputis** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:27 am

That C5 was also supposed to bring back the Pz II that is in Germany which was restored to running condition. You can see pictures of it in the book "German Tanks of World War II in Color" on pages 17 to 19.
I was talking to Dr Atwater at APG a few weeks ago and he said that the move to Ft Lee probably would not happen.

Martin Cohen · Post by **Martin Cohen** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:42 am

Hi Mike,

I've spoken about the move with people at Aberdeen several times over the past couple of years and most recently just before I posted the above, and it does seem on and off - and on and off. I can not understand why taxpayers should pay to make this move given the costs and complications of moving the equipment, and hardships of relocating employees.

I wish the Army would fund the improvement of the facilities of the Museum at Aberdeen and conserve what soldiers fought and died to obtain. But I think others in the Army might be eyeing the space at Aberdeen for other uses - maybe 'turf envy'. I count on the US Government to act with sheer wisdom only occasionally.

Roland Wallick · Post by **Roland Wallick** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:02 pm

This is the latest from US Army

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Dear Mr. Wallick,

Thank you for your inquiry. The clones that you speak of were a proposal to
reverse engineer the Tiger and then build aluminum copies. The copies were
intended primarily for making motion pictures, but under the proposal, the
museum would have received one clone in working condition. The idea was
never more than a proposal, and we do not know of any actual effort being
made on the proposal.

No, the tank has not been restored. Currently, it is simply being preserved
in its present condition.

Respectfully,
Jim Petrie
410-278-3602

For Ed Heasley
Roy E. (Ed) Heasley
Deputy Director/Curator
U.S. Army Ordnance Museum
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5201

looks like we are going to get a rust bucket back at best, with new paint

Martin Cohen · Post by **Martin Cohen** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:13 pm

Thanks for posting that. The mention of the condition of the Tiger I in the UK contradicts what I was told when I spoke with a fellow in the Admin office at Aberdeen shortly before posting. Now I really do begin to smell a cover-up ':?'

We may have to go right to the top to find the answers,

I will ask my state Senator to launch a Congressional Inquiry.

Martin

Roland Wallick · Post by **Roland Wallick** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:44 pm

I was up there today and asked about the current status of the Tiger.
Basicly what was said was, "to make a long story short, the guy is being difficult and now DoA Legal is involved" sounds like the situation has turned hostile.

Martin Cohen · Post by **Martin Cohen** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:16 am

':shock:' Hmm, I'd put our equipment up against the fellow holding the Tiger: I smell an opportunity for a James Bondish/Special Forces type operation to recover this National Treasure.

I evision it: US NRO spy satellites feed data helping MI-5 and Box 850 people to formulate the plan. RAF AWACS direct B-52 strikes to soften up the estate permiter fences, walls and gates. To be followed by assaults by the UKSF units the Special Air Service Regiment (with the Special Boat Service if any water is nearby), with Harrier's for close air support, Tornados (617 Squadron of course) flying top cover....the diversion allows Daniel Craig to slip in, fire up the Tiger and breakout with guns a blazin'.

The next day the Tiger I mysteriously appears at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum while newspapers relate some story about filming a WWII movie with whatever equipment happened to be available at the moment.

Hope I did not give anything away