Well, after the success of the previous MkIV supply tank and, to make use and hone some of the points I learnt throughout that learning curve, I've begun another build - this time another MkIV, but with a slight difference, the original of this model had a second life (albeit quite short) in 1940.
In essence a 'normal' MkIV, its 1940 re-incarnation included the addition of a cupola in place of the rear hatch, incorporation a lewis-gun swivel mounting.
The main purpose of this build (for me) is to try to get to grips with layering on Gimp, something I've not looked at before. After a couple of hours of 'fiddling around' I think I've got hold of the basics. I've got no intention of teaching any of you to suck eggs and am not about to give a tutorial on how it's done, but have included a few pictures just to show I can do it (or at least the basics). Unfortunately, there don't appear to be any photos extant of the starboard side of the vehicle.
There are a number of discussions on other sites regarding the colouring of the vehicle, with the general opinion that it was painted in the two-tone green seen on most vehicles from the start of the war until 1940/1941.
I don't intend to do a build thread for this one but would like to post occasionally on progress and hiccups!
For those with more than a passing interest, below is a brief synopsis of the history of the vehicle -
Originally Mk IV No 2324 (Training No 102) it was built by the Metropolitan Carriage and Finance Company of Birmingham in 1917 and used as a training vehicle at Bovington, Wareham, and Lulworth from 1917 to 1919.
Between April 1916 and late 1917, 2416 gunners of the Heavy Section and Heavy Branch MGC were trained in the firing of the 6pdr from a moving platform at HMS Excellent – the Royal Navy’s Gunnery School at Whale Island, Portsmouth. In appreciation of this, on 1st of May 1919, 2324 – renamed ‘Excellent’ was presented to the gunnery school.
In 1940, a young Subaltern in the RASC by the name Alex Menhinnick, was sent to Excellent with a small contingent of soldiers after Dunkirk. Within a matter of days he found the Whale Island tank and set to on what was considered to be an impossible task of restoration from twenty motionless years to operational readiness.
The engine had to be rebuilt, which was made possible by stripping selected spare parts from another WWI Tank which stood as a war memorial on Southsea Common. After weeks of hard work the engine was made serviceable. With the Commanding Officers approval the tank was brought into full fighting trim. Two 6pdr guns and ammunition and two Lewis guns, were obtained from Priddys Hard. Thus restored the tank became operational in the RN battalion allocated to the defence of Portsmouth. Eventually after a number of breakdowns and with more modern weapons coming on stream, the tank was again placed back on its concrete base in honourable retirement.
In 1969 work began again to reverse the ravages of time and weather. With the hull newly painted, the transmission components in good condition, but the engine in pieces in Whale Island Workshops, prospects of completion faded from pressure of other work and possible reorganization. The decision was then taken in 1971, to present the tank back to the RAC Centre as the best way in which it could be preserved for the future. By the autumn of 1974, after a vast amount of work, the engine was running and the RAC Museum had provided two 6pdr guns.
For further details have a look here
In essence a 'normal' MkIV, its 1940 re-incarnation included the addition of a cupola in place of the rear hatch, incorporation a lewis-gun swivel mounting.
The main purpose of this build (for me) is to try to get to grips with layering on Gimp, something I've not looked at before. After a couple of hours of 'fiddling around' I think I've got hold of the basics. I've got no intention of teaching any of you to suck eggs and am not about to give a tutorial on how it's done, but have included a few pictures just to show I can do it (or at least the basics). Unfortunately, there don't appear to be any photos extant of the starboard side of the vehicle.
There are a number of discussions on other sites regarding the colouring of the vehicle, with the general opinion that it was painted in the two-tone green seen on most vehicles from the start of the war until 1940/1941.
I don't intend to do a build thread for this one but would like to post occasionally on progress and hiccups!
For those with more than a passing interest, below is a brief synopsis of the history of the vehicle -
Originally Mk IV No 2324 (Training No 102) it was built by the Metropolitan Carriage and Finance Company of Birmingham in 1917 and used as a training vehicle at Bovington, Wareham, and Lulworth from 1917 to 1919.
Between April 1916 and late 1917, 2416 gunners of the Heavy Section and Heavy Branch MGC were trained in the firing of the 6pdr from a moving platform at HMS Excellent – the Royal Navy’s Gunnery School at Whale Island, Portsmouth. In appreciation of this, on 1st of May 1919, 2324 – renamed ‘Excellent’ was presented to the gunnery school.
In 1940, a young Subaltern in the RASC by the name Alex Menhinnick, was sent to Excellent with a small contingent of soldiers after Dunkirk. Within a matter of days he found the Whale Island tank and set to on what was considered to be an impossible task of restoration from twenty motionless years to operational readiness.
The engine had to be rebuilt, which was made possible by stripping selected spare parts from another WWI Tank which stood as a war memorial on Southsea Common. After weeks of hard work the engine was made serviceable. With the Commanding Officers approval the tank was brought into full fighting trim. Two 6pdr guns and ammunition and two Lewis guns, were obtained from Priddys Hard. Thus restored the tank became operational in the RN battalion allocated to the defence of Portsmouth. Eventually after a number of breakdowns and with more modern weapons coming on stream, the tank was again placed back on its concrete base in honourable retirement.
In 1969 work began again to reverse the ravages of time and weather. With the hull newly painted, the transmission components in good condition, but the engine in pieces in Whale Island Workshops, prospects of completion faded from pressure of other work and possible reorganization. The decision was then taken in 1971, to present the tank back to the RAC Centre as the best way in which it could be preserved for the future. By the autumn of 1974, after a vast amount of work, the engine was running and the RAC Museum had provided two 6pdr guns.
For further details have a look here
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