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Rare, restored tank on display at war museum

A rare First World War-era tank has gone on display at the Canadian War Museum after undergoing restoration.

A rare First World War-era tank has gone on display at the Canadian War Museum after undergoing restoration.

The six-tonne tank, installed in the LeBreton Gallery, was among about 250 M1917s acquired from the United States as "scrap metal" in 1940 by Canadian Col. F.F. Worthington. Used to train members of the newly formed Canadian Armoured Corps at Camp Borden, Ont., the tanks earned "a special place in Canadian military history," said the museum.

After being sold as surplus, the tank was heavily modified and used as a logging tractor near Bracebridge, Ont., said the museum, which acquired it in poor condition in 1997.

Restoration, funded mostly by war museum supporter Richard Iorweth Thorman, was completed by DEW Engineering of Ottawa and volunteers.