THE mighty Tortoise, one of the heaviest British tanks of all time, will be just one of the attractions to wow spectators at this year’s TankFest.

Like its animal namesake, the 78-tonne monster boasts both a hard outer shell and a pedestrian top speed – but that is where any similarities end.

Because this heavyweight fighting machine, last run more than six decades ago and the only one of its kind in the world, was all about firepower.

And with three machine guns and a whopping 32-pound main gun, it had that in abundance.

The Tortoise is set to take centre stage at next month’s festival, set for The Tank Museum, Bovington, which attracts enthusiasts from across the globe.

Museum spokesman Nik Wyness said: “We get bookings for TankFest from America, Canada, Japan and Australia because this show is unique in terms of what we can show.

“No other military vehicle show can boast the level of depth and variety that we have here.

“It is not just the historic tanks, we are also very fortunate to have a close relationship with the British Army, so they will be bringing down some of the latest vehicles which are out on operations today.”

The festival will include living history, family entertainment, explosive mock battle demonstrations, music, a parachute display and other attractions.

This year the event coincides with Armed Forces Day, so serving soldiers will be on hand to showcase the kit they use in the world’s trouble spots.

Members of the Training Regiment will also provide combat demonstrations in the main arena, and the highlight of the show will be a mock battle set in Tunisia in 1943.

Visit tankmuseum.org for information on the June 25/26 event.