1:35 WWI British Tank Mk.IV Male
- with Single Motor
- with British Infantry Figure Set
Item #30057

This is Tamiya's very first model of a WWI tank subject. This
release celebrates the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of
hostilities in what was then known as the Great War. The tanks
which appeared in the conflict were the first ever seen on the
battlefield, and were the forerunners of a whole line of military
vehicles which is still being developed further today. The Mk.IV
tank was a successor to the Mk.I, which was drawn up by British
designers in attempt to break the stalemate of trench warfare
experienced on the Western Front; the rhombus-shaped hull was
designed to aid in crossing the extensive network of trenches.

The Mk.I, first thrown into live action in September 1916 during
the Battle of the Somme, had "male" (fitted with 57mm, 6-pound
guns) and "female" (fitted only with machine guns) versions.
Around 1,000 Mk.IV tanks were manufactured after 1917, and they
inherited their shape and male/female weaponry and
classifications from the Mk.I, but with significantly upgraded
armor. Around 400 were used massively in the November 1917 Battle
of Cambrai to great effect, and with the world accepting the new
vehicle's potential the maiden tank vs. tank battle was not far
behind: in 1918, the Mk.IV faced off against its German
counterpart the AV7.

The Tamiya model is highly accurate as extensive study of the
tank was conducted at the Tank Museum in Bovington, England.

Special bonus feature!
The US kit release of the Mk. IV includes the all-new WWI British

Infantry Set (item 35339)