Get an insight into these fascinating craft with a series of short films. However, on D-Day, LCT 7074 carried 10 tanks!
These have been positioned on the tank deck to give you an impression of what an LCT full of vehicles would look like – and show off the vessel’s sheer size. On board you’ll find the Sherman and Churchill tanks which used to stand at the front of the museum. Go on boardīoard the LCT using the ramp at the front (bow), which was used to unload the tanks and vehicles it carried. It now stands proudly outside The D-Day Story, to further tell the stories of those involved in D-Day, and to keep alive their heroic acts. Now, following a multi-million pound restoration project by our partner, the National Museum of the Royal Navy – with backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – LCT 7074 has been restored to its former glory. This is the last surviving Landing Craft Tank (LCT) from D-Day, and it played a vital role in transporting men and supplies across the English Channel.Īfter it was retired, LCT 7074 was turned into a nightclub but fell into disrepair and sank in Birkenhead docks. “Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, visitors to the D-Day Story will be able to immerse themselves in the important narrative of this outstanding piece of maritime heritage.” You might also be interested in.Your visit to The D-Day Story now starts with LCT 7074. Stuart McLeod, Director of England, London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted that after six years of dedicated work, LCT 7074 is restored and ready to welcome visitors on board. I would like to extend my thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the grant that made this work possible." "When she was rescued by the museum, she was rusty, unloved and covered in barnacles having spent many years submerged at Birkenhead Dock.
Nick Hewitt, Head of Collections and Exhibitions at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: "The restoration of LCT 7074 has been a long and arduous project for the team at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, but to see her outside The D-Day Story and to know that so many visitors will be able to experience her first-hand is a fantastic feeling. LCT 7074 makes its move to the D-Day Story Museum, Southsea A highly ambitious and complex move saw the 59-metre, 300-tonne craft transported from the Naval Base to its new home outside The D-Day Story in Southsea, Portsmouth. In August 2020, following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LCT 7074 took to the sea one last time.
This included new coats of paint, a replacement funnel, important electrical works and fitting replica guns and rocket launchers. Nick Hewitt, Head of Collections and Exhibitions at the National Museum of the Royal Navy
In 2014, after being rescued from Birkenhead Dock by the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the National Heritage Memorial Fund, a programme of National Lottery funded work began to restore the ship to its former glory. The project has also recreated the bridge, wheelhouse and the crew's living spaces so visitors get an impression of life at sea on the landing craft. Visitors will be able to step on board to learn more about the history of the ship, explore two refurbished tanks and visit the upper deck, bridge and gun deck.