Mk I Tank (UK)

The Mk. I was the first tank to enter combat (First World War). The first working tank, 'Little Willie', was build in 1915, but the Mk.I was more directly based on the second prototype, 'Mother', tested in January 1916. The characteristic rhomboid shape of the British heavy tanks of this period was caused by the need to be able to cross the German trenches, with the War Office requiring a vehicle capable of crossing an 8 foot trench or climbing over a 4 foot 6 inches high barrier. This was achieved by the combination of a high prow and fully visible tracks which meant that there was no overhang to get caught on the ground. However, fuel was delivered to the engine simply by gravity, which could result in the engine cutting out if the tank was at too severe an angle. The Mk. I came in two versions, the female with four .303 Vickers machine guns and one 8mm Hotchkiss machine gun, and the male, with four of the 8mm Hotchkiss gun and two 6 pounder guns. The female design was produced late in the design process as an anti-infantry version. The Mk. I entered combat on 15 September 1916 at Flers-Courcelette during the battle of the Somme, where lacking numbers and on bad ground they made generally disappointing progress, although those tanks that managed to reach the enemy did well enough to ensure orders for more.

Mark I (male): Statistics as given in the Official History
Length with tail: 32' 6"
Length without tail: 26' 5"
Width: 13' 9"
Height to top of tracks: 7' 4.5"
Weight, fully equipped: 28 tons
Engine: 6 cylinder 105 h.p. Daimler
Maximun speed: 3.7mph
Petrol Capacity: 46 gallons
Estimated mileage without refilling: 23
Maximum width of trench that could be crossed: 10' 0"
Armament: Two 6-pdrs and 4 Hotchkiss machine guns
Ammo: 324 rounds of 6-pdr, 6.272 for machine guns (S.A.A.)
Crew: 1 officer, 7 other ranks

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