South African Armour Museum — Attraction in Mangaung Ward 20

What a privilege to visit the South African Armour Museum!

As one might expect, museum revolves around fabulous collection of armor & artillery. Museum also features more academic exhibits in historic building.

Museum is work-in-progress under able stewardship of competent staff. But that’s a long haul. As such, it’s ideal to arrange your visit in advance for someone to walk you around. It really helps with this collection to get handholding which museum is eager to provide.

I was fortunate to have Major Swanepoel guide my tour. I was especially grateful he could target our discourse to level of my own historical knowledge (and lack thereof) and also focus on specific points of interest to me.

Not knowing my schedule in advance, I emailed museum day before. Unlike most other South African military museums I visited, I actually got a response confirming my visit, and it came within an hour of me sending.

Key distinguishing factor not obvious to me going in is that collection is uniquely South African. It is unusual for several reasons.

One reason is museum's peculiar amalgam of WWII and post-WWII weaponry constituting “hand-me-downs” from various nations repurposed by South Africa for extended service life. Base elements are familiar; subsequent modifications are striking.

Secondly, museum presents an awkward and difficult historical chapter when South Africa was cut off from world arms market. They had to home grow armor for specific needs. As such, these platforms you won’t see anywhere else.

Curators are diligently working on placards and crafting exhibits to communicate this narrative. For now, having that human walk you around is terrifically useful.

Museum is on an active military base. While apparently you can just show up, they recommend you communicate in advance so you’re expected. Do that. Contact info on their website.

Thank you Major Swanepoel & staff for time spent with me and for preserving this important history.

VISITED: 18 February 2022, admission free...

An interesting open air exhibition of South African Armoured vehicles from the past, as well as some "spoils of war", captured enemy vehicles.

We were unable to visit the actual museum building as it was closed despite visiting during what their website listed as open hours. To avoid disappointment, it would be a good idea to make an appointment, even if you are only a small group.

Nevertheless, the kids loved being able to see and climb on the vehicles on display, and the two soldiers that escorted us around were extremely friendly and put in an excellent cameo performance as...

So many of us dont know thee historical gems situated right here under our noses. Do yourself a favour. Bring the Wife, bring the kids, bring your neighbours. Hell, bring your mother-In Law.

Very very clean Unit with proffesional escorts taking us through all the various static displayed tanks, and armoured vehicles. The collection of historic weaponry and general timelime summaritive collections on display is truely something to behold.

Taje note that this is within a Military Unit so prior arrangement for visits...