Combat Dealers

Following four years of meticulous restoration, Bruce Crompton hurriedly prepares his Panther tank for shipment to Australia, ensuring every component is serviceable. In the process, he comes across an intriguing tank manual that captures his attention and promises further insight into the vehicle’s operation.

The episode follows a meticulous four‑year restoration project centred on a World War II Panther tank. After years of painstaking work, the programme documents the final phase of bringing the vehicle back to operational condition. Every bolt was inspected, panels sanded and original markings reproduced, ensuring the tank looked as it did when first built, and setting the stage for its next journey. At the heart of the story is Bruce Crompton, who now finds himself hurrying to complete the tank’s preparation for shipment to Australia. He liaises with shipping agents, finalises paperwork and oversees checks as the deadline looms, pushing the restoration team to speed up the remaining tasks while the clock ticks louder with each passing day. During this accelerated push, Crompton stumbles upon a tank manual that had been tucked away among the documentation. The faded manual holds diagrams and notes that reveal the tank’s original handling instructions, and he flips through it while still racing to load the vehicle for transport. The discovery adds an extra dimension to the project, balancing his curiosity with the pressing need to get the Panther onto the vessel bound for Australia.