Retired Essex engineer's remote control tank sold at Cambridge auction

How much did it cost to make this half-ton model tank and transporter lorry?

An 8ft-long (2.4m) remote control transporter lorry and tank built by an engineer who was "bored to tears" in retirement has made £20,000 at auction.

Roland Hopper, 79, who lives near Saffron Walden, Essex, worked on the 1:6 scale model Scammell Pioneer Tank Transporter and Armortek Sherman Firefly Tank on and off for 10 years.

The model is made of about 40,000 pieces, auctioneers said.

It sold on Friday at Cheffins in Cambridge.

Mr Hopper originally bought a model tank from Armortek but then used his engineering background to manufacture a tank transporter for it.

News imagePA Media Roland Hopper with his remote control tank and transporterPA Media
Roland Hopper's remote control models sold for £20,000 at auction
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