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UNIQUE ID 2061: A34 COMET TANK

(Model: Mark IB)

Isle of Wight Military History Museum, Cowes, Britain

(Location: Museum Building)


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 2061


Unique ID: 2061
Added to Database: 11 January 2012
Last Edited: 5 June 2012
Type (ID): A34 Comet (3370)
Model (ID): Mark IB (3374)
Location Category (ID): Isle of Wight Military History Museum (3100)
Location (ID): Museum Building (3102)
Serial Number:
Registration: 19 ZR 52, previously T335965.
Name:
Other Identification: “Comet No.2” printed on label on glacis.
Collection Reference: E1990.28. (Accession 2890, Entry 1990.1067).
Links: Bovington Vehicle Record
MilWeb
References:
Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Leyland Motors, Farington, Lancashire, North West England, Britain (Design parent and sole manufacturer)
2: Directorate of Tank Design, Chertsey, Surrey, South East England, Britain (Used for testing – dates unknown)
3: The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (1990-ca2000)
4: Isle of Wight Military History Museum, Cowes, Isle of Wight, South East England, Britain (Current location)


Text in original Preserved British Tanks publication:

[No entry]

Text in Preserved British Tanks Update:

[No entry]

Text in original Preserved Tanks In Britain publication:

The Bovington database lists a Comet hull used to test engines and transmissions by RARDE Chertsey. The vehicle was built as a Mark 1B type, with engine serial 12042, later 12642. It was later used as a trial Malkara launch vehicle and was fitted with a Meteor 4 Engine which does not line up with the gearbox as it has the wrong sump. (Source: Museum Vehicle Record).
It was put on the museum books in 1990. Marked ‘GONE’ in Bovington museum record. It is presumed that this is the same vehicle and that it was transferred to the Isle of Wight.
This Comet came from Chobham in Surrey and was used as an experimental vehicle. It has had a new front welded on as the original was removed to accommodate a prototype rocket launcher. (Source: IOWMM).
It is undergoing restoration; it is missing its turret, engine, tracks and many other parts. Its turret is likely to be replaced by one of those in the museum’s collection.
It was recently put on sale on MilWeb with the following text: “We have the following vehicles for sale: Two A34 Comets which featured in Tank Overhaul on TV. Both in need of full restoration but we can sell as packages as we have the largest stock of Comet spares around. Serious offers please.”.


Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

August 2009

Upper front right view
1: Upper front right view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7634
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040691...
Views: 404
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

 

Front right view
2: Front right view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7635
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040442...
Views: 152
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

 

Front right view
3: Front right view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7636
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040443...
Views: 111
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Front view
4: Front view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7637
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040444...
Views: 123
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Front left view
5: Front left view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7638
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040445...
Views: 137
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Front left view
6: Front left view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7639
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040446...
Views: 139
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Rear left view
7: Rear left view

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7640
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040825...
Views: 179
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Close-up
8: Close-up

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7641
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040824...
Views: 182
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Candidate turret
9: Candidate turret

Taken: 5 August 2009
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 7642
Added: 3 June 2012
Filename: P1040481...
Views: 367
Select/Has Priority: 21/0