A 42-tonne, 2.7m-high Leopard tank will provide the backdrop for the ACT's largest two-up game at the Canberra Services Club next Anzac Day.
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The massive battle tank, the last of 71 redundant Australian Army Leopards to be delivered to RSL and services clubs around the country, was installed on a specially prepared reinforced concrete pad adjacent to the site of the burnt-out club in Manuka yesterday.
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It had arrived in Canberra on Monday.
Club vice-president Malcolm Stewart welcomed the vehicle's arrival, saying it marked the beginning of the club's rise from the ashes after April's devastating fire.
The club hopes to break ground next year on a new building, which will incorporate strong architectural cues linking it to the original heritage structure.
Carefully planned and choreographed, yesterday's tank installation took three hours to complete and required the assistance of a 200t crane with a 72m boom.
The delivery was co-ordinated by Warrant Officer Stuart Todd, of the Defence Materiel Organisation.
He said the tank had been refurbished at Bandiana and now sported a fresh coat of paint. While the secondary armament - two 7.62mm machine guns - have been removed, the main gun is still in place.
The 105mm rifled gun uses a gyroscopic mount so its position remains constant, even if the tank is moving quickly across rough terrain. Each shell weighs 20kg.
The massive 37.4-litre, 10-cylinder engine has been left in place. If it was removed the tank would sit up at the rear, giving it a dragster-like appearance, Warrant Officer Todd said.
The interior of the turret, which was welded shut for safety yesterday morning, seems surprisingly spacious. That said, it would soon become cramped and claustrophobic for the four-man crew during a day on the battlefield.
Warrant Officer Todd, who spent 26 years in the British Army before joining the Australian Army seven years ago, said delivering the tanks to RSL and services clubs across Australia had been a real joy. The recipients had always been enthusiastic and appreciative, he said.
Mr Stewart said while the minimum budget for the new building was $5million to $7 million, the club hoped to spend more in order for it to be the best it could be.
Potential sources of additional funding include the Australian Federal Police Association, which is closely affiliated with the club, the Department of Veterans Affairs and services groups around the country. The reconstruction effort is being linked to the Manuka Oval redevelopment.
Asked how the public could support the club's rebirth, Mr Stewart said ''by joining up''. Membership has stayed constant above 4000, despite the loss of the physical structure.
And, as of two weeks ago, the organisation has a new office in the car park at the Forrest Bowling Club.
A reciprocal membership arrangement means services club members can now call the Forrest club home for the duration.
The club's famous two-up game will definitely be held next year, with plans in hand to erect a large marquee on site. It is hoped the event, usually attended by about 4000 players and spectators, will draw a record crowd.
Australia's Leopards have been replaced by 59 Abrams M1A1 tanks that started arriving in 2006.
While Australia's Leopards never fired a shot in anger, Canada has used them in Afghanistan as recently as 2007.