THIS October half-term, Cornwall’s Army Museum invites tank enthusiasts, military history buffs, families, and aspiring engineers to a Tank Take-Over at Bodmin Keep, running across two weeks on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Monday, October 19 to Saturday, October 31 from 11am to 3pm daily.

On display will be a Scimitar Mark II light tank on loan from The Tank Museum in Bovington. The Scimitar is an armoured, tracked military vehicle, used by the Army for close reconnaissance.

Visitors will be given a guided 15-minute tour to learn all about its design and operational history and hear from veterans who operated these and similar CVRTs (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)). As well as tank viewing, the Takeover features a remote-controlled tank assault course, screening of tank film footage and weekday crafting, history and STEM workshops for younger visitors.

On Saturday, October 24 there will be a Panel Discussion about ‘Life Behind Armour’ with Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, veteran, author and conservationist and Dickie Trant, Trustee and Chair of the Museum both of whom commanded tanks in conflict zones.

Joe Raine, Vehicle Curator at The Tank Museum, will give an account of The History of the Tank from its WWI origins to the role of modern combat vehicles like the Scimitar Mark I and II.

On October 31, Nigel James from Bodmin Keep and Duncan Masters, Workshop Manager at The Tank Museum will share their insights on restoring historic military vehicles.

This is the first such collaboration between Cornwall’s Army Museum and The Tank Museum.

Nick Booth, Director of Curatorial Services at The Tank Museum said: “We’re delighted to be able to share the story of the Scimitar tank with Cornish audiences. We hope that the Takeover will inspire visitors to learn more about this very special area of military heritage.”