Refurbished Indiana Jones tank

[hazelrah]

I was at DHS today and saw that at some point in the last few months, the big tank from Last Crusade (outside the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular) had undergone a complete refurbishment!

Sorry if this was already reported and I missed it, but the entire area has been redressed, and the sorry looking tank now looks brand new. It had previously been rusted over from sitting in the DHS boneyard, and then later outside the stunt show exit.

Here's one of the pics. There are a few more posted over at Parkeology.

 

[Thorpyness]

let me to your April fool gag .... tickeld me , so thanks !

 

[wishesjake]

Thanks for this update, the tank looks pretty awesome!

 

[mlshaver1896]

Does anyone know any history on this tank?

 

[bgraham34]

They just need to refurb the whole backstage experience. looks nice..

 

[plutoismyhero]

What is gonna happen to all of these movie props and vehicles if BLT goes bye bye??

 

[Master Yoda]

What is gonna happen to all of these movie props and vehicles if BLT goes bye bye??

The most likely destination will be a dumpster. Movie props are not built with longevity in mind. I'll wager that many of the props would simply fall part if they try to move them.

 

[JimJam]

I will take them!

 

[daguru]

Wonder if they are cleaning up this area because there are rumors that Uncle George will be attending the SW reopening (or at least pre-opening review)...

 

[CastleBound]

I love the updated theme! Tank looks awesome! So cool to see the tank from the movie up close. I was sad seeing it all rusted and post apocalyptic looking.

 

[Tigger#1]

from what I understand this is a real WW1 tank and the one used in the movie.

 

[MansionGoer13z]

Wonder if they are cleaning up this area because there are rumors that Uncle George will be attending the SW reopening (or at least pre-opening review)...

I doubt it. I think Uncle George doesn't really give a rat's A** about anything he does or lack there of, except lining his pockets with gold.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Wonder if they are cleaning up this area because there are rumors that Uncle George will be attending the SW reopening (or at least pre-opening review)...

There's a big Tables In Wonderland dining event taking place on the Indy stage on April 30. Since they're charging $160 (plus tax) per person to attend, maybe they decided they should spruce up the place a bit.

 

[juniorthomas]

Looks great considering the giant fall it took in LC.

 

[Tigger#1]

Sorry I was misinformed by a cast member

The tank was based on the Tank Mark VIII, which was 36 feet and 28 tons. Gibbs built the tank over the framework of a 28-ton excavator and added seven ton tracks that were driven by two automatic hydraulic pumps, each connected to a Range Rover V8 engine. Gibbs built the tank from steel rather than aluminum or fiberglass because it would allow the realistically suspensionless vehicle to endure the rocky surfaces. Unlike its historical counterpart—which had four side guns—the tank had a turret and two guns on its sides. It took four months to build and was transported to Almería on a Short Belfast plane and then a low loader truck

 

[David Roberts]

Looks great considering the giant fall it took in LC.

Thats good Indiana knowledge right there... Anyway, the tank looks great, maybe even too good.

 

[MarkTwain]

What is gonna happen to all of these movie props and vehicles if BLT goes bye bye??

Relocate it to the Indy stunt show? That'd be a nice thematic detail for that part of the park...

 

[SFMarine]

The tank looks good. I don't remember seeing it when I was last @ DHS but that was back in '04. I will be sure to snap some good photos of it next month.

 

[DaGoof00]

Looks great! I'll have to take a look when I'm down there!

 

[juniorthomas]

Thats good Indiana knowledge right there... Anyway, the tank looks great, maybe even too good.

Yeah, the rundown version seemed more realistic. This touched up one could be from anywhere.

Still its nice to see it.