From Mk1 to Mk9.

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Since 1916 produced heavy MkI and modifications until MkV and MkVII and MkIX. However, thanks to the success of light French Renault and among the British troops spread agreement on the need to add more heavy tanks moving light, creating a kind of “strategic armored cavalry, able to act expeditiously behind enemy lines. To this end, created a “middle Mk A”, or informally “Whippet” (”Greyhound”). The command of the British tank forces, confident that the war will last and in 1919, went into mass construction of high-speed tanks. The most ardent supporters was the Chief of Staff of the Royal Tank Corps Colonel (later General and a prominent theorist of tank warfare) J. Fuller.

Medium Mk A “was unsuccessful, so in 1918 the British have developed a new medium tanks, Mk and Mk in C. Following the tradition, they have preserved the form of heavy with tracks, covering the body and stiffer suspension. The thickness of armor on that and the other does not exceed 15 mm.

Mk B was too heavy, the engine power (100 hp) was inadequate, the rate was lower than that of Mk And, just 9,6 km / h. Combat weight was 18 tons, crew – 4-5 people, weapons – six guns. Medium Mk C was heavier (19,5 m), but thanks to powerful 150-horsepower engine developed up to 13 km / h. The crew consisted of four men armed with a version of the “female” – 4 machine guns. The “male” with a 57-mm gun and three machine guns remained unfulfilled. Armament two tanks housed in a ball mount in the cockpit with limited angles of attack, and the Mk V – and in the sponsons. The latter was equipped with apparatus for the production of smoke screens. However, he was never a good machine as it was cramped and uncomfortable. After the signing of an armistice with Germany on Nov. 11, 1918 built a total of 45 cars in the Mk 450 on order, and the Mk C – 36 of 200. Orders for other canceled produced served in the British Army until 1925. Several Mk B in 1919 took part in the hostilities in the north of Russia in the British Expeditionary Force, one of them was a trophy of the Red Army. Several of these were the same in the Latvian army.

The latest example of a medium tank, which the British had managed to create before the end of the war, became the Mk 1. On it was built only 4 copies of this machine with a rotating turret and lower hull. Mk 1 was the first tank, could swim. On the water it was kept by the volume of the body, and moved at a speed of 5 km / h, rewinding tracks with the tracks of the original oval shape, which were fastened to the cable through the middle part (the so-called “serpentine track.”) When the combat weight of 13.5 tonnes of tank has three machine guns and tank crews serve 4. Engine power 240 l.c. informed him speed 43 km / h – at that time very well!

Somewhat earlier, the British experienced afloat supply tanks Mk IX. Before launching their boards fastened long cylindrical pontoons. But on land they were too cumbersome.

Mk IX was founded in 1918 as an infantry transporter and to accompany the battle tanks in the battle. Outwardly, he looked like a heavy, but was equipped with only two machine guns in the front and rear parts of the body, but the sides were four oval doors for the landing force of up to 50 soldiers. Mk IX and could carry 10 tons of cargo. His weight reached 27 tons, speed – 5.6 km / h, thickness of armor – 9-10 mm. They let 35 cars, which never had a chance to show themselves in the case.

Total 3027 British manufactured tank of 13 types and modifications, including the 2500 MkI – MkV. According to others, they were in 2678. Of these, 45 have formed a tank battalions, each of the three mouths of 12 heavy and 16 medium tanks. 18 battalions participated in battles in France.

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