Tank Overhaul

This show is about craftsmen who restore old tanks, from the 1950s and older. The show is written for a non-military audience, so it's free of a lot of military jargon. It concentrates on the history and use of the actual tanks, and on the craftsmen that do the rebuilding. It also takes time to compare the tank in question with modern tanks in current use.

I like this show for the same reason I like "This Old House" or shows about restoring old railroad equipment. The craftsmen, usually from military museums or private tank collectors, are working on pieces of living history, and the show balances the historical explanations with the work being done to restore the tank itself, and how it will be displayed in the future. It's a good show to watch if you like to see resourceful craftsmen work on something that is rare and precious (due to its age) and hugely heavy and powerful. As "reality TV" shows go, this is a fun one to spend an hour with.

I found out about this series when I looking through the Winter 2016 copy of the Military Issue catalog. I ordered the set and really enjoyed the series. I only wish it had lasted longer than eight episodes! Each episode covers one vehicle and the crew that is involved in its restoration. The viewer gets a lot of information in a short period, including a history of the vehicle being restored, comparisons to modern-day armor, and time watching the crews as they battle with rust, seized parts and the other challenges of tearing apart vehicles that weigh tons.

If you're a lover of history, this series is a lot of fun to watch.