Infantry Tank Mk IV Churchill Mk VII • Imperial War Museum Duxford

Current Condition

Reasonable. Upper track guard missing.

Vehicle History

The hull is stamped May 1944, has a late type turret and it is alleged that this example saw service on "Gold" beach. This is doubtful in view of the production date. The tank had a 'BZ' registration at one point, indicating service in the British Zone in occupied Germany (discovered during paint removal.) It has no known Korean War history but was rebuilt to workshop standards, including re-tracking, as a 'Crocodile' for Suez. Shortly after it was taken out of service and sold to Pound's Yard (scrap merchant) at Portsmouth. Its secondary armament, periscope, radio gear ad flare equipment were at some point removed. Its present number T2505873 and name, 'Vera Cruz', are fictitious.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000233

This vehicle was purchased by the Museum in 1980.