Battle Tank outside Discovery Museum

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 18 Aug 2015

The tank is one of nine prototypes built by Vickers in the early 1990s for tests during the development process of Challenger 2. Fitted with uprated cooling and air conditioning systems for the Oman order, this tank was demonstrated in the Omani desert. Following removal of its internal equipment the tank was on display as 'gate guardian' for 12 years outside the Tank Factory, as the Works became known Image Armstrong Works was the last factory on Tyneside which could trace its origin to the business founded by William Armstrong in 1847. In anticipation of the closure of the Works at the end of 2014, the tank was offered to the City of Newcastle for display outside the Discovery Museum Image The tank was positioned here on Wednesday 22nd October 2014. Its installation was generously arranged and sponsored by BAE Systems, the company which succeeded Vickers-Armstrong on the same site on Scotswood Road Image An art installation has been built around the tank to give the impression of it driving out of its wooden packing crate. It acts both to inform the public and to protect the tank from unwanted access as it is sited in a public area Image Chronicle Live, 5th November 2014: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/challenger-tank-given-newcastle-museum-8053525

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