In a thrilling announcement, The Tank Museum in Bovington has revealed that the world’s sole operational Nashorn tank will take center stage at TankFest 2023, marking its debut appearance in the United Kingdom. Recognized officially as the Sd.Kfz. 164 Nashorn, this German armored vehicle played a significant role throughout World War II, lauded for its economical production and remarkable mobility.
The Nashorn’s history traces back to a group of engineers from the Netherlands who stumbled upon Nashorn parts available for sale in Russia. This discovery led to the inception of the Nashorn Restoration Project in 2015, with the ambitious objective of reviving this relic from the World War II era.
Guided by the leadership of Robby van Sambeek, the restoration team pieced together the Nashorn, revealing evidence of a probable aircraft ground attack due to the extensive damage the vehicle had sustained. Yet, the team’s dedicated efforts soon paid off as they managed to restore the tank destroyer to its former working condition. Unfortunately, in 2019, an unfortunate fire broke out in their workshop, dealing a severe blow to the vehicle’s restoration progress.
Undeterred, the team rallied and initiated a fundraising campaign to resurrect the Nashorn once again.
The Nashorn’s origin can be traced back to 1942, when it emerged as a response to Hitler’s directive for a new anti-tank gun, based on the potent 88 mm Flak 41. Featuring a chassis derived from the Panzerkampfwagen III and IV, the Nashorn was outfitted with the formidable 88 mm Pak 43 as its primary armament and a 7.62 mm MG 34 or MG 42 as its secondary weapon.
Over the course of World War II, a total of 494 Nashorns were manufactured, with the majority rolling off the assembly line in 1943. This marked the shift towards the smaller and heavily armored Jagdpanzer IV.
The Nashorn’s battlefield debut took place during the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front, where it was assigned to German heavy anti-tank battalions. Its prowess in long-distance engagements earned it respect among frontline troops who had initially harbored concerns about its comparatively thin armor.
The Nashorn will share the spotlight with a lineup of military vehicles at TankFest 2023, including the British Centaur III, the US Sherman M4A1, M8 Greyhound, and M18 Hellcat, the German Panzerkampfwagen I, the Russian T-34/85, and the French AMX-13.
Scheduled from June 23 to 25, the annual festival promises an array of demonstrations, talks, and displays. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore The Tank Museum, including its latest exhibition, “Tanks for the Memories: Tanks in Popular Culture.”
Expressing his anticipation, Nik Wyness, The Tank Museum’s head of marketing, shared, “We are looking forward to welcoming this rare historic vehicle to TANKFEST for its first public display in the UK and we’re very grateful to the owners for their support.”
The Nashorn that will grace TankFest 2023 is among the last three remaining in the world, making its appearance all the more special.
