Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Replica Tank from War Horse

The Tank Museum has obtained the tank used in Steven Spielberg's new film War Horse (which I'm hoping to see next week). I saw this news reported a couple of days ago but the Museum have now put out this short video explaining why they decided to buy the replica and what they intend to do with it.



This is a fully operational replica of a British Mk IV tank and was based on the Museum's own Mark IV, which was built in 1917. On the inside is a modern excavator vehicle providing the power but the exterior detailing and handling are authentic looking. So much so in fact that the Museum decided it was worth buying to run at events like Tankfest in June.

The replica will go on display this weekend so I'll get to see it when I attend Tiger Day at the end of March. There's no word yet of they will run this vehicle at that event but I have my fingers crossed!
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13 comments:

  1. David11 January 2012 at 12:08

    Thanks for sharing this - it would be good to see a WWI tank in 'action' even if it is only a replica

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  2. Anonymous11 January 2012 at 13:19

    Great stuff, always had a soft spot for the old WWI tanks. Hoping to see Warhorse soon myself, it looks like a good one.

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  3. Jay11 January 2012 at 14:14

    Thanks Lee for the look. These motion picture craft-persons: builders and painters, are really good at what they do!

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  4. Monty11 January 2012 at 16:35

    Looks an excellent copy, believe it or not I'm an extra in Warhorse, playing an anonymous German soldier somewhere during the various artillery encampment scenes set later on in the 'war' ;)
    Haven't seen the film yet, but will hopefully to so this weekend.

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  5. Paul´s Bods11 January 2012 at 16:55

    Excellent!!! It really does look good.
    Now all I need is some steel sheeting and an old JCB and I can have one!!!!
    Cheers
    paul

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  6. peter11 January 2012 at 17:54

    I've seen the trailer and I really want to see that movie. Good is also they found a good use for this replica. Have fun Lee!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.com/

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  7. Peter Ball11 January 2012 at 18:49

    Oh, that is good. I must get along to watch that film.

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  8. Broeders11 January 2012 at 20:13

    Wonder if they are as noisy, smelly and hot to operate in as the original. I read that the internal temperature of a WW1 tank could reach over 100 degrees and the noise was indescribable. Many also got terrible motion sickness from the continual lurching from side to side and up and down.

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  9. Matt D12 January 2012 at 03:29

    really cool, I wouldn't mind seeing that beast in operation myself

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  10. BigLee12 January 2012 at 08:34

    Phil - I'd recommend reading Band of Brigands as it goes into a lot of detail about the early development of the tank and the conditions inside. One of the most enlightening stories relates to the use of carrier pigeons for communication with HQ. The Birds got so sick that when released they would often just perch on the gun barrels, too ill to fly anywhere!

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  11. Rodger12 January 2012 at 08:56

    Thanks for this Lee. Great to see a Mk4 moving around.

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  12. Scottswargaming12 January 2012 at 20:33

    Fascinating to watch. Cant help think that any half decent hit on it could so easily knock off a track from their exposed position... that and the fact that the tracks look so 'smooth' and thin, they cant have had much grip over muddy terrain - no wonder so many broke / bogged down in use!

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  13. The Kiwi13 January 2012 at 09:37

    That's real cool. Cheers

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