Armstrong’s legacy continues at Discovery Museum

Image credit: Challenger 2 tank lifted into position at Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum, Newcastle has become the recipient of a new addition to the Armstrong collection after welcoming the Challenger 2 tank prototype from BAE Systems. The tank will sit on a plinth outside Discovery Museum in Blandford Square and will have information relating to its relevance to the Museum and its importance to the industrial heritage of Tyneside. An art installation will take shape around the tank, which will allow visitors to get up close and learn more about its history. Also arriving alongside the tank are a number of other artefacts and documents, which will become part of a lasting legacy of the Armstrong story which forms part of the Discovery Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives collections. Challenger 2 is a main battle tank designed and built by the British company Vickers Defence Systems (now known as BAE Systems). Production began in 1993 at two primary sites: Armstrong Works at Scotswood in Newcastle and Barnbow in Leeds. This is one of nine prototype tanks which were built by Vickers in the early 1990s for testing as part of the development process. Following the removal of all its internal equipment it was on display for 15 years outside the Armstrong Works at Scotswood as a ‘gate guardian’. Speaking of the importance of the Challenger 2 to Discovery Museum, Councillor Ged Bell, Chair of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Joint Committee said, “We’d like to thank BAE Systems for the donation of the Challenger 2 to Discovery Museum. The significance of its heritage to the city of Newcastle and the wider region is renowned and it provides the missing piece to the Armstrong story we tell in the museum. “We hope the planned art installation will make it a top visitor attraction at the museum for years to come.” The Challenger 2 tank’s arrival to Discovery is the first of a number of new exciting projects that will transform the museum. There is hope to create an outside space to not only complement the tank, but also create a bustling environment for the community following the completion of the new student accommodation in 2015 next door to the museum. The front entrance to Discovery Museum will also be upgraded as well as some of the gallery spaces within the museum. Discovery Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives Manager Carolyn Ball is looking forward to the changes. She said, “The Challenger 2 coming to Discovery Museum provides us with a unique opportunity to take the museum outside the building and gives our visitors something quite extraordinary to see.   “We will continue with our aspiring plans to make Discovery Museum and Blandford Square a key destination in the city.” David Bond, Managing Director of BAE Systems Newcastle, adds, “BAE Systems is proud to donate the Challenger 2 main battle tank to Discovery Museum. It is important that the tank which is closely associated with the Scotswood Road site remains in the North East as a reminder of its proud Armstrong heritage.”