Tiger 131: Inside & Out | The Tank Museum 

Imagine being the only Tiger driver in the world... What a job

I love equating 131 to the Mona Lisa of the museum.

Here is a thought for you: Preserve art in a static condition is proper because art is designed to be static but machines are art in motion thus preserving them in an operating condition is only proper, History is not only events and dates, it's the human story. Inorder to understand the human story we must understand the technology that they used.

To me the fascination with Tiger 131 is the fact that it is still running, which makes it very popular. Fine you can go into the museum and see the static displays, but to actually see one still alive and kicking makes it much more enjoyable. The same with WWII aircraft, and I bet seeing the surviving FW190 still flying is a wonderful sight, and much better than just seeing a static one on display. The same goes for a Spitfire and other aircraft still in flying order up in the skies where they are most happy......:)

Good for blowing the doors off a bank behind enemy lines too (just ask Lt Kelly)

“If everybody's thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ― George S. Patton

Oddball’s looking like a pretty crafty investor, right about now, despite all them negative waves from Moriarty.

"The most famous tank... In the world" Ahhh it's been too long

I've seen it standing in the old workshop 4+ years ago (I believe I was 15-16 at the time). Me and my family were on vacation in the area (I'm from the Netherlands) and I just had to go to the tank museum. After convincing my parents I found out tiger 131 was in the workshop for maintenance because we visited the museum 4-5 days before tiger day. But by then we'd have gone back home. It had literally been moved there the weekend before. I was really sad about it but then the lady behind the desk asked a guide whether it's be possible for me to go see it anyways because otherwise I wouldn't get to see it for years (I'm yet to return, definitely going to visit again sometime). But there it was, in the old workshop. Engine cover open and everything. The air filters were on a bench near the tank for cleaning even. It was one of the best days of my life. I was fangirling so hard... I loved every second of it.

This may sound silly but as a American i thank everyone that put this video together and the guys and gals that do everything at the museum ,since it might be a while till i can get over to visit the museum!

I’m glad they keep it a runner.

There is a small issue though. If Tom Hanks brings a Thompson to the drivers view port, the bulletproof glass ceases to exist. Sorry 131

Arguably it's a lot more damaging to not run a vehicle ...

Even for today's standards, the Tiger 131 tank is still awe-inspiring!

This was a wonderful explanation of the background of Tiger 131 and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I agree that it may may be one of the more famous tanks out there. I certainly recall reading about it and seeing pictures of it many, many years ago. Thank you for making this video, well done! I'm glad to be a supporter.

Then: Tiger! *runs away* Now: Tiger! *Takes a picture of it*

Germany still turns out amazing tanks, weapons, and armored vehicles. They’ve never lost their talent for it. Truly amazing innovators.

When it comes to preserving vehicles, or any machinery really, they need to be run occasionally if they aren't to rot away.

One of the best things about this video... 1944 minutes long. I hope that was on purpose editors 😂

If I ever travel to this museum it will be the one I'm most excited to see in person. Just the scale.

Visiting the Tank Museum was the highlight of my holiday to England a while back. I was great being able to actually get up close to the tanks.

If you don't run it, the seals, hoses, and many other parts would rot away.

I've had fascination with the Tiger tank for as long as can remember(I'm now 57) and when I heard that there was one in running condition in The Tank Museum I decided I would have to make the effort to go and see it(a round trip of 1300 miles). This happened on 28/4/18 -Tiger Day IX. A day I will long remember. What a shame it will be when this iconic vehicle is finally retired as it so deserves to be seen in action. Still very impressive as a static display, but so much more impressive while on the move. The Tank Museum should be very proud to have such a varied collection of vehicles and to show as many as they do in running condition is quite remarkable.

They were breakthrough tanks. That's a very specific usage and their combat records were fairly good actually

The setting where the conversation is happening is wonderfully decorated. Well done to whoever did this!

"Why did nobody build them after the war if they were so good?" Because the nation that made them lost the war and by the time they were allowed to build tanks again the Tiger and the Heavy Tank Concept was completely obsolete?

Add in the name to the mystique, you have to admit Tiger is such a cool name for a tank

The display at the end of the vid is class! I'll never not be surprised by the size of the Tiger up close, incredible

Another masterpiece video. The presenter trio ("+Finn) is a legendary gang. The Director, Mr. Willie, and Fletcher "the Old Chap" are such excellent characters with their unique style. I have to write it down from time to time. I never ever imagined to be so much into tanks, but after the first recommended videos me and my wife were just enchanted by the content.

In my opinion the Tiger I was the ultimate weapon in WWII - far and away. The 88mm was already the most feared gun on the battlefield in WWII, and the Tiger I carried the 88mm plus better armor than anything else. Nothing could penetrate Tiger I armor at the time it debuted on the battlefield. Technologically, it was decades ahead of all other tanks in the era. The accuracy of the 88mm gun is often overlooked, which highlights the superior optics of the gun sights. On top of all of this, the Tiger tanks could be driven like a car, and steered with one finger. Opposing tanks needed brute force just to change gears and turn the vehicle. The Tiger I was a mechanical masterpiece, and a devastating weapon of war. DaVinci himself could not design a better tank.

What an amazing historic piece, I fully enjoy seeing this piece of living history doing a lap of honour, the machine earned its stripes and is a blessing to viewed .

Respect to the mechanics keeping this cat operational, it was a nightmare when replacement parts were still being produced and I can't imagine how difficult it must be today

Fun fact: The American forces in northern France after the landings on D-Day reported hundreds of sightings and engagements with Tiger tanks but the Americans never encountered any Tigers in France out side of 3 tigers that had been loaded onto a train for transport.

Wonderful! Welcome back Mr Director. Keep them running. They are machines and not static items. They must be seen in motion to experience them. Parts can be made. They can be supported indefinitely.

Three D printing is so advanced you could make any part you need. Great museum, excellent presentation, carry on.

one of the best produced and interesting things i have watched recently

The inside of that tiger almost looks modern 🤯 Fine German engineering 🙋‍♂️

My Grandfather was instrumental in the capture of Tiger 131 and received a Military Cross for his part in this great story.

Absolutely marvelous. As soon as the 🦠 will be maintained, prepare for this Belgian superfan to visit Tankmuseum (again)! Fingers crossed that Tankfest 2021 is a go ! Keep up the good work, sincerely. Erik V, Antwerp Belgium.

I’ve been it whilst it was being driven absolutely love it !

My dad back in the late 60's or early 70's took us on vacation to Ft. Knox, I got to climb all over a tiger & check it out. There was other tanks from other nations including U.S.. dad always like to vacation. Miss you dad.

We have all the technology to recreate any single part on that beast !!! Keep running it

Good video. My grandson is a tank fan and will enjoy this.

I want to give a second thumbs-up for the Haynes manual.

with the technology now a days we can manufacture any part required to keep 131 running for many more years

What and amazing tank it brings so many people together to learn about history and the true story's of the men that fought in ww2.

what a fine job are you all doing for the people , thank you all.

One day I'll visit England and visit the tank museum.

What a beautiful machine

I know I'm late to the party here but regardless of how long 131 sits in the museum it will always be a feared war machine. Most tank lovers could only dream of seeing one up close

It is good that we (German/British) can come together in peace to enjoy history when our grandparents killed each other in war. It is barely two generations since and we start to take the peace for granted. It is so sad that we are starting to divide again through our stupid politicians and ignorance in the population.

I enlisted in the U.S. Army a few months before 9/11. I wanted to be a paratrooper, but the Army guidance counselors were trying to push me to join as an Abrams tanker. I refused their attempts and enlisted as a paratrooper. A few years later I was in Iraq and got to climb inside an Abrams. I had to be helped out of the driver seat as I’d gotten stuck because I’m too tall. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to the counselors. I’d have been miserable. Well, I was still experiencing misery as a paratrooper but it was the manageable misery, I guess. 🤷‍♂️

A really nice thing about this Tiger I is that they left all the original battle damage scar on it.Quite a story there.

Beautiful tank . Wish when places have tank running days , they’d run them with the hatches down at one point.

Always been my favourite machine still hope to see her one day

part of this tank's mainenance now is keeping public interest in it. Great job so far TM. Thanks for the awesome video's, I so look forward to visiting you one day. I can't believe I never made it in the 3 years I lived in the UK and the umpteen times I've visited the UK, despite having somewhat of a love for escaping into war fantasies. I've only, in the last few years been a RU-vid consumer, hopefully this avenue carries you through quite a bit.!

Such a beauty.

Surely by running it you keep the practical knowledge and expertise alive.

Listening to David Willey talk about how to balance preservation against showing people this tank running was very interesting. After some consideration I think that there's a difference between a tank and a work of art. The painting exists to be looked at, it conveys emotion, joy and wonder to the appreciative viewer. But it is designed to be static and should be treated thus. Tiger 131 is a machine and it was intended to move. In fact movement is it's purpose. So by restoring it to it's mobile state the Tank Museum is letting us see this artifact in it's natural state. It puts us much more in touch with how our fathers and grandfathers lived and died in WW2 and that is priceless.

Im going to this beauty in August!!

I love the picture of HM The Queen. Given her work as a mechanic during the war. I bet she appreciated the beast.

It would be awesome to get one member of each of the tiger family members up and running again. Tiger1, tiger2, jagdtiger, sturmtiger, and or the Ferdinand/elephant

The T34 compared with Tiger is like comparing a Robin Reliant to a Rolls Royce .

I'm going to the Tank Museum in June.I live in the States but going to England just to see the Tiger.

From an engineering perspective, it's actually kind of sad that only one Tiger 1 is in running order.

kudos to the maintenance and operations crew!!!

The primary advantage that the Tiger had was it's thick hide and a gun that easily outranged any Allied tank of the day. This gun alone was enough to cause so much fear out of all proportion to the numbers produced.

Tiger 131 is, I think, by far the most important tank in the Tank Museum collection. It is one of the few tanks in the collection captured during WW2 combat and still in almost perfect condition, almost entirely original, apart from the engine. Even the engine is taken from another German WW2 tank.

look at that beast

I saw a static Tiger I on display at the Deutsches Panzer Museum, in Munster, Germany (near Hamburg). This particular vehicle had been built using components from two or three damaged vehicles, so there was not an operational history of the tank, to go with the display. However, it was a very impressive display, as were all of the other vehicles at the museum!

Its so beautifull That is the best tank for me

One of your best videos! Really like hearing from the folks involved at all levels. Two thumbs up!

Love the passion

Great film .

I feel like this tank was designed in a similar way that most German cars are still designed today. Expensive to maintain, and difficult to repair.

All German tanks are my favorite ones, beautiful works of art!

On the subject of running the equipment, not running can be equally destructive. Engine seals and bearings not being lubricated by moving oils and grease over surfaces can encourage rust and rubber hardening. It’s a no win situation, of course, but the educational advantages of doing so far outweigh the negative effects. Good work boys! Only wish I could come and see it in action!

Brilliant, I hope to go see 131 and the other pieces at the Tank Museum one day👍

You make a good argument for preserving history regardless of the motives and evils of those that created it. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana

One being reconstructed in Cairns Australia. We also have a Panther. Armour and Artillery Museum. Cairns.

THE BEST TANK EVER !!!!!!!!!!

“The museum has made the vehicle famous” Tiger 131- no, it is I that has made you famous

Would love to one day visit the museum. Then will be happy to make a nice donation! Thank you to all those who put their hearts and time into preserving this and all the other things!

and here we go ,,, thrashing begins

Do sell videos with all your tanks in other military machines in it to around 20 dollars in your money and have a video like will make me very happy and I was never in the wars. I was a small baby boy and got hit by a car at 10 and 12 surgeries 4 sleep surgeries to do testing and I get around in a electric Wheelchair to love your channel and I am From USA

Just looking at tiger 131 in the museum would be great, but to hear it roar around the arena would spark that part of the human brain that lets our imagination run wild and would allow you to appreciate it a hell of a lot more.

Love it my favourite tank of all time the tiger 1 wish I had a real one .

My. Favourite. Tank. Of all. Time. It's. Just a beast. Of. A. Tank. Love. It

Im suprised to see how big these things actually are next to a group of people

I know who this guy reminds me of: he has exactly the same delivery style that Monty Python was parodying in several of their Flying Circus episodes, especially the one with the the island of reporters.

Tiger 131 is by far my favourite tank ever

What an awesome Tank

I’m here because of a tank game and I need to know where I am shooting because this thing is terrifying

You know this tank is a frightening sight when your crewman spots one in Hell Let Loose and panics, shouting 'Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!' down the mic, until calmly reminded by the commander that he is also, in fact, fighting on the German side.

The decent mobility of the tiger, combined with its good Armour and excellent firepower for its time, makes me believe it was the first MBT in the world, and not a typical heavy tank.

Enjoyed this video very much.

The moment it came on sale on World of Tanks as an instant buy for me. Hope to see it in person sometimes (already saving for a trip to see you guys).

I bet the German High Command expected to have their Tiger to end up in an enemy museum today.

This is great please make more.

It was bought for us in lives. The lives or our men and of theirs. Both generate widows, orphans and lost relatives and loves. This is why it must be remembered. Like all of those men and their loved ones. We need to know more about this tank and all of the people connected to it.