Medium Mark A Whippet
The first British tanks were very slow and were designed to fight through the mud and wire of no-man's land with infantry following close behind. The Army then sought a faster tank that could exploit breakthroughs and the chosen design was the Medium Mark A Whippet.
Weighing 14 tonnes, it had a top speed of 8 mph, more than twice as fast as the average heavy tank. Designed in 1917, it first saw action in March 1918.
This particular example, known as "Caesar II," went into action on 29 August 1918 under the command of Lt Cecil Sewell. During the advance, Sewell jumped out of the tank to help wounded soldiers trapped in a sister vehicle. He saved them, but was shot dead. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
The vehicle has a separate engine, clutch and gearbox for both tracks, making it very difficult to drive - imagine trying to drive two cars bolted together with all their automotive machinery still operational! Built by Fosters of Lincoln, the tank is armed with three .303-inch machine-guns.
Seen in the new hall at The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset.
Medium Mark A Whippet
The first British tanks were very slow and were designed to fight through the mud and wire of no-man's land with infantry following close behind. The Army then sought a faster tank that could exploit breakthroughs and the chosen design was the Medium Mark A Whippet.
Weighing 14 tonnes, it had a top speed of 8 mph, more than twice as fast as the average heavy tank. Designed in 1917, it first saw action in March 1918.
This particular example, known as "Caesar II," went into action on 29 August 1918 under the command of Lt Cecil Sewell. During the advance, Sewell jumped out of the tank to help wounded soldiers trapped in a sister vehicle. He saved them, but was shot dead. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
The vehicle has a separate engine, clutch and gearbox for both tracks, making it very difficult to drive - imagine trying to drive two cars bolted together with all their automotive machinery still operational! Built by Fosters of Lincoln, the tank is armed with three .303-inch machine-guns.
Seen in the new hall at The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset.