Tanks For The Good Times: Son Builds Dad A Beach-Friendly Wheelchair - With Tank Wheels

(Eddie in the special chair his son Peter created. Image: NTI)

(The elderly war hero “absolutely loves” with his new wheels. Image: NTI)

A devoted son has built his war hero dad an off-road wheelchair, complete with tank wheels, to enable trips to the beach and hill climbing.

Peter Shaw, 60, created the fitting invention for Second World War veteran Eddie, 96, after he was fed up struggling on difficult terrain.

It is made from an old motorized wheelbarrow, has an LDV van seat, caterpillar tracks and is powered by a 4.5bhp Honda engine.

The custom-built all-terrain mobility scooter only cost £500 to make, after the local community clubbed together to donate materials.

Father-of-one Peter, who is a plumber from Ellesmere, Shropshire, spent thirty hours building the chair, with three friends. It can reach up to 8mph.

He said: “My dad was attacked by tanks during the Second World War, so I thought it would be fitting to create him this.

“He never got chance to ride them but managed to fight one off with anti-tank missiles. Now this is his chance to have his own little tank.

“I’d seen motorized wheelbarrows used on building sites and I thought that would make a much better wheelchair for my dad.”

The chair would have cost about £4k without donations. Eddie doesn’t use a wheelchair all the time and walks with a frame. But he needs help to get around, due to arthritis.

“He absolutely loves his new chair. Since he’s had it we’ve been the beach a few times and had a great time. It’s even got a space behind the seat for a picnic basket”, added Peter.

(Image: NTI)

The great grandfather was involved in special intelligence in his younger days, partly because of his fluency in German and Korean.

After the conflict, he worked as a civil servant for the tax vehicle office, which is now known as the DVLA.

Eddie said: “It was a wonderful idea. It goes right over the sand and I’m really pleased with it. I want to thank my son and everyone who helped do this.

“It brings back memories of the war. I came under fire from tanks but never got to drive one – now I finally can.”

(All smiles: Great grandfather Eddie can enjoy seaside jaunts and trips to the countryside again, thanks to the all-terrain caterpillar tracks. Image: NTI)