Churchill Tank Range Target 1956

[Flying10uk]

I came across this photo today of a Churchill tank, range target, which I wasn't aware still existed but after finding it I thought people may like to see.

What happened, back in 1956, was that my late father was going somewhere which the road took him past a MOD training area and one or more derelict armoured vehicles were noticed. Being interested in military vehicles my father thought that it would be a "good idea" to have his photo taken, by his friends, as if he was the tank commander, but giving no thought to the fact that it was a "Range Target Vehicle".

A few seconds after the photo was taken a MOD policeman appeared from nowhere in a Land Rover and asked them what they were doing and did they realise that it was a firing range. My father's "excuse" was that he "was interested in military vehicles" and "just wanted to take a photo". The MOD policeman said that if they were interested in armoured vehicles they should go to the Tank Museum at Bovington but should keep away from range target vehicles and firing ranges.

Not long after my father did go to the very interesting Tank Museum at Bovington.

The tank does look remarkably complete and intact and a shame that it got used as a range target.

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