Case 30 - Norfolk Tank Museum, Forncett St Peter

History

The Norfolk Tank Museum at Forncett St Peter is one of the largest private collections of military vehicles in East Anglia. Established in 2011, the museum grew from the personal collection of military enthusiast Stephen MacHaye, who had been collecting military equipment and vehicles since the 1980s. Originally known as Turrets and Tracks, the collection expanded over many years before being opened to the public as a museum dedicated to preserving Britain's armoured fighting vehicle heritage.

The museum's collection focuses primarily on military vehicles from the twentieth century and the Cold War period, although it also includes artillery, uniforms, small arms, and military memorabilia. Among its most notable exhibits are a rare Centurion AVRE prototype, a collection of Centurion tanks, an Alvis Saladin armoured car, and numerous restored vehicles that are maintained in working condition. The museum's educational aim is to help visitors understand both the technology of warfare and the experiences of the soldiers who operated these machines.

The museum gained national attention in 2017 when it worked with Channel 4 on the construction of Deborah II, a full-size replica of a First World War Mark IV tank built for the television programme Guy Martin's WWI Tank. The replica was completed in just six months and was later taken to Cambrai in France to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Cambrai. Today, Deborah II remains one of the museum's most popular attractions.

In 2018, the Norfolk Tank Museum became a registered charity, helping to secure its future and expand its educational activities. Today it welcomes visitors from across the country, offering hands-on access to many exhibits, vehicle demonstrations, special events such as Armourfest, and opportunities to experience historic military vehicles at close quarters. Through its preservation and restoration work, the museum plays an important role in safeguarding Norfolk's military heritage and the history of armoured warfare.

Our investigation