Tank Museum's M47 in its current condition CREDIT TANK MUSEUM — The M47 Patton fills a gap in the museum's Cold war collection, but is in dire need of restoration (Picture: Tank Museum)

Land vehicles

Museum launches fundraiser to save Arnold Schwarzenegger's favourite tank

The Tank Museum has launched a £50,000 fundraising campaign to restore an M47 Patton tank, a model famously favoured by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"This restoration will enable the museum to add a missing piece to the story of Cold War tank development," said head of collections Chris van Schaardenburgh.

The museum's M47 spent its service life with the Italian army before it was acquired in 1987 after nearly ending up as a range target.

The M47 Patton tank, named after General George S Patton, was rushed into production at the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950.

But it was quickly superseded by the M48, an improved version that kept the same name - Patton, and never saw action with the US forces.

The M47 was widely used by US Cold War allies and was the only Patton series tank that never saw combat while in US service CREDIT ALAMY — The M47 was widely used by US Cold War allies and was the only Patton series tank that never saw combat while in US service (Picture: Alamy)

Large numbers of M47 Patton tanks were supplied to US allies worldwide and many saw combat, including in Pakistan which fielded M47s against India in 1965 and 1971.

Their last active service was during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s.

In Europe, Italy received the largest number, with nearly 2,500 units, including the one now housed at the Tank Museum.

Austria also received a substantial number of M47s, where 18-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger developed his love for these tanks during his national service.

The Hollywood icon-turned-politician brought his own M47 over to the US from Austria and has been crushing everything and anything with it ever since – from a Mercedes Benz to bubble wrap and birthday cake.

The Terminator actor said it was his lifelong dream to own a tank, so he brought back the same vehicle he drove while he was serving in the Austrian army in 1965. However, the tank had to be dug up first.

According to Tudum, Netflix's online magazine, the Austrian army buried the tank as part of a decommissioning effort after Schwarzenegger had left the service.

When he reached out and said he wanted it, the army dug it up and restored it.

On an episode of CNBC's Jay Leno's Garage, Arnie said he paid $20,000 to ship it to the US in 1991, but otherwise, it had been given to him for free.

The former governor of California now uses it to raise money for charity.

Image ID 2R8D204 Arnold Schwarzenegger in a tank 070623 CREDIT ALAMY — Arnold Schwarzenegger fulfilled his dream of owning his personal tank (Picture: Alamy)

The former Mr Universe found a clever way to continue bodybuilding while doing his national service. According to Tudum, he hid weights in his tank and squeezed in workouts between drills.

Thanks to the army's meat-heavy meals, he got plenty of protein, which helped him pack on muscle even faster.

Arnold's determination proved to be effective, as he was released early to compete in bodybuilding competitions.

While The Tank Museum's M47 isn't Schwarzenegger's personal tank, it represents a significant piece of Cold War history that the museum aims to bring back to life.

Efforts to restore the museum's M47 began in the 1990s with the help of volunteers, but the project was abandoned due to other priorities and has never been on public display.

The restoration of the M47 Patton will fill a gap in the museum's narrative of Cold War tank development.

Donors to the fundraising campaign will receive special perks, including exclusive access to the restoration process and having their names printed on the tank's turret.