Tank Chats Reloaded | Challenger 1 | The Tank Museum 

Hi Tank Nuts, let us know what you think of this new series. Feel free to leave any suggestions of episodes you'd like to see in the future!

Appreciate the interview with Brig Cordingly. I read his book (In the eye of the Storm) many years ago, he's as engaging in interview as his book was.

This is an absolutely fantastic piece of content, and Major General Cordingley was a fantastic speaker, please if you can do more like this

This is a great idea. Many of the early Tank Chats are just way too short, especially compared to the newer ones.

Hi, this piece is a great addition to The Tank Museum's already fascinating catalogue of videos. As a veteran who served on Challenger 1 in the Gulf from 1990 - 91, I drove "Churchill - 11B" 64KG87 for the then Lt. Col AG Denaro (Major General Denaro ret'd) which forms part of the museum's vast collection. I must add that I am extremely proud to have served with the Q.R.I.H. on Challenger 1. Maj. Gen. Cordingley has a lot to be proud of with everything he managed to put together to bring Challenger 1 to life. His account of the crews' pride and confidence in the vehicle, their mentality and training is absolutely correct. Keep the videos coming.

[Paraphrased] "After day 2 we were trying to reach our objective without killing too many people" Wow. That is real power, being able win while exercising restraint!

Excellent format, well-produced and with a remarkably experienced SME in Patrick Cordingley. I found the behind-the-scenes accounts fascinating, along with the assessment of the Challenger 1's battle performance. Well done, all!

Love the new format. Hearing it "right from the horse's mouth" as it were adds a ton of additional information and context

I use to make the sights for the Challenger, testing these in the tower and watching the cars, you could clearly see the occupants, the engine and the exhaust- glowing no matter the weather. The unit was so good, it was used by the RN on the wasps. We had a unit returned after a salvage op from a downed wasp and recovered from over 200m down. It came in and was stripped and it had no faults, seals perfect, lenses all good, electronics fine. It was rebuilt and resealed and sent back to the RN we were told it was down in the water for 9 months. The accuracy was down to the laser alignment jig & the portable unit that was on the back of the 4 tonne lorry. ~Trooper

In the Greek army we say " the best tank is the one with the best crew" and I think it's something that we shouldn't underestimate, especially in this case I mean in order to hit a target 5km away you both need an excellent vehicle and an excellent crew that can use the capabilities of that said vehicle

Would love to hear the US Marine tanker side to the same story when they were deployed with the British

This was phenomenal, I certainly hope you guys can interview more veterans in this fashion. First hand accounts of certain vehicles really adds depth to educational presentations.

Truly a rare opportunity to speak with someone who was onvolved with implementing a weapon system and then actually went to battle in it. He is a remarkably well spoken gentleman as well, could spend hours listening to his stories!

I served for 18 years man and boy, in 3RTR, and spent 2 years on Challenger, it was a awesome tank, the turret was very similar to Chieftain, but the Hull, was a game changer, can't wait for the next Tank chat 😎

What an incredible primary source the Major General is for this video. Just fantastic.

This is brilliant - the input from Major General Patrick Cordingley is riveting. What a top notch contributor. Only the tank museum could put this together.

Especially in open country, nothing can quite do what a tank does. The tank has better optics than the infantry, so it can see further. And just because the infantry can see it, doesn't mean it can engage it. The tank however can engage virtually anything it sees from maximum range. That's a huge capability that mere ATGMs will not fully counter anytime soon.

This is an excellent new format, thoroughly enjoyed this and looking forward to the next one. It would be very interesting to hear how Warsaw Pact crews viewed their Soviet MBTs and tactics against NATO forces.

22:34 "...We actually knew where we were for the first time ever in the British army..." Love that tongue in cheek British sense of humor!

Peter de la Billière (British commander Gulf War) also expressed his respect and affection for the US Marines and regret to the point of being apologetic for having to leave them for a different start position before the attack. Incidentally, it was British pressure to be involved in the West flank _main thrust_ that got them moved.

Cordingley sounds like a great commander to serve under, he seems like someone who is honest and cared for his men but was still willing to push them to succed

This is a great format, having the soldier talking about the equipment he or she used. This would be a little difficult for WW1 & WW2 but there must be archive film that could be used. You have set a high standard, could we please see more. Thank you.

I certainly agree with the other comments, this is superb. Personally I would like to know more about Ajax and how, after the Challenger 2 tank chat explained how many months and miles of trials went into getting it right, Ajax could have been allowed to go in to production without the same robust checks being made. Huge thanks to all at the museum and associated staff and especially, the volunteers; I'm 60 now, have been a regular visitor since I was eight and looking forward to bringing my grandchildren in a few years time.

“A Bazooka or whatever ever” just phenomenal !

Having Cordingley be part of this was superb.

Talks from curators or historians is all good and interesting, but you just cannot beat first hand testimony from those who have been there and done that.

HI There it was very interesting to hear What Brigadier Cordingley had to say, more so a I was with the Royal Hussars LAD in 1983 when we took the first Chally 1's to replace our 'Top up and Motor on' Chieftain Mk 13, with all their problems and later I worked on the Chally 1, MK 2 TOGS program at 7 Armd Workshops, actually refitting them with The Thermal Observation Gunnery System. Then even more relevant is I went to the Gulf With the Scots DG LAD and saw all our training and hard work actually Alay our fears of reliability in the 72 ton Monster that had haunted our dreams in the forests of BAOR only to prove its true home in the desert! I later became a Chally IFCS and TOGS Instructor at the REME School of Electronic Engineering...Full Circle really... well put together Video though looking forward to the next one.

Fantastic video. I was a Challenger 2 crewmen and it was the best job I ever had (cheesy fury quote there) but I'd have loved to have been old enough to be on Challenger 1 and be a part of the transition from one to the other. I think it's a great shame we sold them all off and cut the armoured corps (and wider army) down as, had that not been the case, we could have seen them working side by side as indeed we did with Challenger 1 and Chieftain. A truly magnificent wagon (I'd argue most British tanks are despite their various character flaws) and a wonderful insight from Brigadier Patrick. Thank you.

My father was a signaller as a Desert Rat. He had glowing praise for Cordingly. Seems to be a great commander. Cared about the men under him and took it as his responsibility to care for his men, no matter what they needed.

I was nine while watching Desert Storm on CNN in 1991 and I can tell you it was god damn exciting to watch. In 2003 I relived it all again, this time going all the way to Baghdad. War is horrible but I cannot deny being very excited.

Impressive start for the new series... And we need more of M G Patrick Cordingley!!!

This was fantastic. Especially with first hand accounts of the design, procurement and battlefield use of the tank in question.

STUNNING format to use, greatly presented and a high-standard set. Well TTM, keep these up! Looking forward for the next

Great upload!

What an excellent interview! I had to laugh at the remark about GPS "For the first time we knew where we were ... for the first time ever in the British army" lol

I love your new Reloaded format, and series! Having the no-fooling around Gulf War I Challenger commander narrate their 4-day non-stop drive with authentic GW I tank footage (KEY!) was a treat. Thank you.

Excellent video! I do not always have time for a 30 minute video, so I truly enjoy both the long and short format videos. I believe that the inclusion of such noteworthy personalities as Brigadier Cordingley adds an immense amount of interest to the longer format videos.

Old tank chats were great the new ones are even better!!

Excellent presentation. TFP

This is pure gold in every sense. Well done, Tank Museum.

Clicked on this accidentally.. Stayed for the duration. Excellent, enjoyed that. My dad was in the Royal Anglian Regiment during the early-mid 1970s when Chieftan was boss. He served in NI some of which was driving APCs etc..

Wonderful to see it reloaded! I enjoy all the videos from the museum.

EXCEPTIONAL video! The mix of narration + "in-person" commentary is VERY effective, one of the BEST videos I've seen on this channel! More please !!!

The great thing about the tank museum is they could do 10 videos on the same tank, and it wouldn’t matter. I would watch every single one of them. Because the quality and the presenter is always top-notch and extremely informed and present material new and old with enthusiasm and professionalism. Very much enjoyable every single time.

Great format, really brings the tank and the people who served on them to life. Thank you.

absolutely fantastic - both videos have been really enlightening and a great compliment to the earlier tank chat. Thank you.

Wonderful. Looking forward to this series.

Super good. Great narration and the live action Challenger footage was really good to see. Hearing from the men that served is a fine benefit. These kind of videos really bring the museum alive. Thank you for producing this.

So grateful that out of all the Tanks you could have selected to do a reloaded look at you Guys chose the Challenger 1 my favorite tank of all time! What an inciteful look at this marvelous machine thanks All involved

ok this is exactly what im looking for . Excellent

Love the format and the revisit of challenger 1

I like this format. Reminds me of the videos in the videogame called "Jane's WW2 Fighters" from 1998, where pilots where interviewed. Vehicles is more than just the object itself. It's also about the people who used it and their subjective views. Good video. Thank you.

I am happy to see any tank covered like this, it very nice to hear from the crew.

Love the Interview format, firsthand accounts are always worth hearing.

This was a great format, and I look forward to more of these. While I certainly enjoy hearing from your staff about the design and history of vehicles, hearing from folks who've USED them will be a very welcome addition.

Every in-house episode just as good as the next , this channel is my go to for freshening up on all things tanks .

Great piece excellent interesting study well done all and thank you Major General Patrick Cordingley, more please.

Remember when he was my squadron commander in the 70's nice to know what happened to him

Amazingly informative, well narrated, and well executed - thank you.

Fantastic work! Please do more of these. Can't wait to visit the museum one day.

That was an excellent watch, thank you :)

What a fantastic interview, thank you.

Thank you and I hope this series reloaded continues. It made me happy to remember the time, sharing feelings inside that metal box that was our home. Thank you for the happy minutes. Oh by the way I made several years, on the M48, M60 and Leopard 2. I start my journey in M113, and next all change.

Excellent format. Fantastic content.

This is an excellent continuation of the Tank Chats series.

Excellent excellent Tank Chat. Great production and well presented. It's fascinating to get the hands on experience and personal insight from a tank veteran. Looking forward to more videos. Reload!

Fantastic original tank chat and fantastic Reloaded video. 👏

wonderful documentary, please do more like this (I very much enjoyed all Tank Chats, especially David Willey's comprehensive ones, so please do more of those too!). Well done, Tank Museum, great educational content as ever!

I found this rely interesting as I had, a minor roll, on the Shir 1 project in 1975. Having previously been a fitter troop leader on Chieftain.

Very well done and presented, warts and all. I remember during the build up to the Gulf War, how the media in general down played the Allie’s equipment, training and leadership vs. the Iraqi armed forces - so happy to see the nay sayers proved wrong.

Superb! More please!

That was a fascinating interview. Thank you.

Love these back stories, very illuminating.

Excellent work, thank you.

Brilliant, thank you. 🙂

Great format and love the revisiting a subject concept

I absolutely LOVE this idea!! I cant wait to see more!

This is amazing, what a gentleman.

One of the very best episodes.

This is great! Actual documentary level production🤩

Excellent format and Gen Cordingley a superb interviewee

Very professional. Very thorough. 10/10

Love the series!

Brilliant!!! More please, very enjoyable :)

Very interesting, looking forward to more episodes.

Thank you for a superb interview. I was a Tank Company Commander in the US Armored Brigade that replaced 7th Brigade to fight with the US Marines. The Allied Forces were superbly trained and professional.

Excellent program!

Great idea, looking forward to more!

Excellent in every way, thanks

An incredible video, incredibly high quality and well produced. If only more RU-vid content could be made to this standard!

I really loved the format of this video. I learned so much, captivating to the end : )

Superb. Thankyou for this.

Excellent video. Looking forward to more.

Superb documentary! Please do more . I'll be coming down for a visit in the new year.

Amazing insight, thank you!

Thanks fort the video! Enjoyed it!

Very good. Keep them coming!

Great tank chat by someone who had been involved in the design, deployment and command. Interesting insight - 'weary of the T-72 - soluntion, hit them at long range'; minimize casualties when you can - both ours and theirs, by letting them surrender. A classic in leadership :)

Excellent video. The Brigadier was a very clear and informative contributor. More of the same please.

Very well done! Like this format :)