Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Restoring the ABANDONED Tank That Fired the BIGGEST Gun Ever Built! | FV4005
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Welcome to TTI, where colossal challenges meet even bigger machines. Today’s spotlight is on an ambitious mission led by Mr. Hewes and his dedicated crew—the complete restoration of the FV4005, the only surviving tank of its kind and a true heavyweight of military history.
Based in Leicestershire, UK, Mr. Hewes has earned a reputation for bringing unusual and oversized vehicles back to life. This time, he faced his toughest challenge: reviving the FV4005, a Cold War prototype armed with a monstrous 183 mm gun and a turret so vast it resembled a steel bunker. After spending nearly sixty years exposed to the elements, the vehicle arrived more wreck than war machine.
Restoring such a unique tank required support from the Bovington Tank Museum and Wargaming, who provided original blueprints and technical expertise. Vital parts such as the recoil-absorbing ground spade and the gun crutch were rebuilt from scratch to match the original design.
The overhaul began with stripping the hull, dismantling tracks, and removing road wheels. Rust was blasted away, steel plates were patched, and dents hammered out until the body regained its strength. Industrial heaters ran for days to warm the 40-ton hull so the primer would bond correctly, followed by three coats of classic bronze green to protect and preserve the finish.
Meanwhile, the mechanics were tackled piece by piece. The brake system was dismantled and refurbished, and then came the centerpiece: a reconditioned Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 delivering 600 horsepower. Installing it required precise alignment of water rails, cooling fans, and gearbox mountings. The clutch, radiators, and air cleaners followed, ensuring the engine could breathe and stay cool. Finally, the crew bled the hydraulic system before the Meteor thundered to life once more.
With the engine ready, attention shifted to the reinforced steel tracks. Each link was inspected, lifted, and secured using hydraulic jacks under the supervision of workshop manager Ted, whose planning kept the operation on track—literally. Wide enough to master mud and rubble, the tracks were tightened and tested until movement was smooth.
Next came the defining moment: reuniting the turret and hull. Using a powerful Foden, the team carefully lowered the massive structure into place before installing the FV4005’s most famous feature—the 183 mm L4 gun, adapted from a naval cannon. Brackets were welded, the recoil spade attached, and the sliding turret hatch fitted, restoring the tank’s unmistakable profile.
Eighteen months after the idea first took shape, the FV4005 rolled back into existence. Thanks to Mr. Hewes, his team, and their partners, the world’s only example of this extraordinary tank now runs again, ready for its debut at Tankfest.
From rusted relic to roaring giant, the FV4005 is once more a symbol of British engineering—and the dedication it takes to preserve it.
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MR HEWES
Instagram: / mrhewess
Youtube: / @mrhewes
Tiktok: / mrhewes
Web: shop.mrhewes.co.uk
Email: joe@mrhewes.co.uk
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For any issue please contact us at 👇🏻
tticopyright311@gmail.com
Facebook : facebook.com/ttienglish007
Instagram : instagram.com/top_10_information
Twitter : twitter.com/tti_english
------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: TTI English is not affiliated with the businesses whose products are shown in this review. Any trademarks depicted are the property of their respective owners.
Restoring the ABANDONED Tank That Fired the BIGGEST Gun Ever Built! | FV4005
-----------------------------------------------
Welcome to TTI, where colossal challenges meet even bigger machines. Today’s spotlight is on an ambitious mission led by Mr. Hewes and his dedicated crew—the complete restoration of the FV4005, the only surviving tank of its kind and a true heavyweight of military history.
Based in Leicestershire, UK, Mr. Hewes has earned a reputation for bringing unusual and oversized vehicles back to life. This time, he faced his toughest challenge: reviving the FV4005, a Cold War prototype armed with a monstrous 183 mm gun and a turret so vast it resembled a steel bunker. After spending nearly sixty years exposed to the elements, the vehicle arrived more wreck than war machine.
Restoring such a unique tank required support from the Bovington Tank Museum and Wargaming, who provided original blueprints and technical expertise. Vital parts such as the recoil-absorbing ground spade and the gun crutch were rebuilt from scratch to match the original design.
The overhaul began with stripping the hull, dismantling tracks, and removing road wheels. Rust was blasted away, steel plates were patched, and dents hammered out until the body regained its strength. Industrial heaters ran for days to warm the 40-ton hull so the primer would bond correctly, followed by three coats of classic bronze green to protect and preserve the finish.
Meanwhile, the mechanics were tackled piece by piece. The brake system was dismantled and refurbished, and then came the centerpiece: a reconditioned Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 delivering 600 horsepower. Installing it required precise alignment of water rails, cooling fans, and gearbox mountings. The clutch, radiators, and air cleaners followed, ensuring the engine could breathe and stay cool. Finally, the crew bled the hydraulic system before the Meteor thundered to life once more.
With the engine ready, attention shifted to the reinforced steel tracks. Each link was inspected, lifted, and secured using hydraulic jacks under the supervision of workshop manager Ted, whose planning kept the operation on track—literally. Wide enough to master mud and rubble, the tracks were tightened and tested until movement was smooth.
Next came the defining moment: reuniting the turret and hull. Using a powerful Foden, the team carefully lowered the massive structure into place before installing the FV4005’s most famous feature—the 183 mm L4 gun, adapted from a naval cannon. Brackets were welded, the recoil spade attached, and the sliding turret hatch fitted, restoring the tank’s unmistakable profile.
Eighteen months after the idea first took shape, the FV4005 rolled back into existence. Thanks to Mr. Hewes, his team, and their partners, the world’s only example of this extraordinary tank now runs again, ready for its debut at Tankfest.
From rusted relic to roaring giant, the FV4005 is once more a symbol of British engineering—and the dedication it takes to preserve it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MR HEWES
Instagram: / mrhewess
Youtube: / @mrhewes
Tiktok: / mrhewes
Web: shop.mrhewes.co.uk
Email: joe@mrhewes.co.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For any issue please contact us at 👇🏻
tticopyright311@gmail.com
Facebook : facebook.com/ttienglish007
Instagram : instagram.com/top_10_information
Twitter : twitter.com/tti_english
------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: TTI English is not affiliated with the businesses whose products are shown in this review. Any trademarks depicted are the property of their respective owners.
