As it's my first post I'd like to say hello and thanks to all for a great forum to read through. I've been reading this forum for a while and now things are starting to edge towards build commencement I thought I'd register and see if anyone can help out with a few details.
Im drawing up my own plans and building a model of a MkIV tank.
I started by buying an Emhar kit but it's no good, it's just not accurate enough to use as reference. I then saw the Haynes manual and bought a copy. On opening the book I saw the Mecca of model makers - plans! After reading the book I thought to myself 'there's probably enough info there to make a decent model' and so the challenge begins. I've decided to test myself and the book and build my model from info in the book alone. I think it's possible, time will tell!
I've chosen to go for tank #2394. Why that tank? Well as a model maker in my spare time, I know that other fellow model makers hide acknowledgements to friends and family in the way of using people's birthdates etc for serial numbers, valentines day this year could become 140-2/14 etc. Well instead of hiding a name, I thought I'd simply name my tank after my daughter, who is called Emily. Now with her name beginning with E, thatd make the tank being from E or 5th Battalion. So I looked on the first landships sites lists of serial numbers hoping somewhere there had been a tank bearing the same name. Alas, there wasn't, or at least there wasn't one recorded as such. So I then looked for nameless 5th btn tanks that I could christen Emily. The tank that I chose was 2394, a Lincoln built MkIV male.
I joined the Great War forum where a couple of members shead some light on the infantry the tank was supporting on 22nd of March, 1918. This date is the only one that is mentioned in the tank's notes on the Landships site.
So now my attentions turn to the tank in question.
Can anyone let me know if they have any info on tank 2394? Anything like production date, it's eventual fate (believed destroyed by 26th March 1918) final resting place, her crew or any other details would be brilliant.
The other aspect of the model I need help with is the fine details. Answers to the below enquiries would be great;
- Markings) I've seen several models and pictures of tanks sporting the White/Red/White horn stripes, but were these a standard marking used throughout the war or did they come in after a certain date? Would a tank be wearing these stripes on 22/03/18?
- Tracks) From the Haynes manual it's apparent the track width is 20.5", but I could have sworn I've seen someone mention that at some point the tracks were changed to 26" in width for added traction on the soft ground. Is this true, and when did these wider tracks come in? Should my tank be wearing the standard 20.5" or the wider 26" track on 22/03/18?
- Spuds) If the wider tracks story is false, would the tank be sporting spuds instead? Were spuds a permanent attachment or only used as and when? I imagine fitting them whilst under fire could be quite adventurous, so once on were they simply left on?
Any help or assistance would be great, thanks for taking the time to read all that, look forward to any replies.
J
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Anything is possible if you put your mind to it - Dr E. Brown
I don't have much on your chosen tank. As you say it was built by Fosters. It is known that the Fosters production run was complete by the time of the Battle of Cambrai so 2394 would have probably been built (at a guess) summer 1917. It was lost on 22 March 1918 (according to my notes) whilst serving with 5th Battalion, but no details of crew, commander or even company or section. Tanks at this time would not have had WRW stripes. Nor would it have had wide tracks. Spuds would be fitted before entering action, but I can't say if this tank had them when it was lost or not.
Thanks for your reply, I was starting to think no one was going to answer!
I've asked for help on the Great War Forum and a member there gave me some info on which unit the Tank was assisting around 20-22 March 1918. The number of tanks in the area and the small front the unit was holding are relatively small so it's a half educated guess/assumption that the unit in question was 8th Battalion Royal West Surreys.
On reading their war diary one particularly harrowing point is where the unit is racing to get over the river somme at Farvy before the last bridge is blown. One section didn't make it on time and is described as putting up a good fight which enabled the other sections to make a good retreat. Quite upsetting.
Thanks for the info re. horn stripes and spuds. Although the stripes would add some colour I want to remain accurate so no stripes it is. Same goes for spuds, although I may make some to go in the storage tray on the roof.
I've not made a model which has evoked so many emotions during the research. I can only hope I can do the job justice by producing a half decent model.
Thanks for your help.
__________________
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it - Dr E. Brown
I've nearly finished the plans for the sides of the tank and hopefully the build will start soon. I'm planning the detailling though and I've a few ideas which I'd like people's opinions on.
For the top of the tank I've seen a few pictures of tanks with storage bins on the roof, full of kit and cans etc. I was planning on putting a few oil and petrol cans on the roof with some chains, wire rope and few duffles/tarps rolled up. Would this be accurate though?
The reason I ask is because going into battle I'd have thought items like petrol cans would have been a prime target, so would they still be on the roof during combat?
Any ideas, suggestions and help would be greatfully recieved.
J
__________________
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it - Dr E. Brown
