It would be different to have a go at the mkIV supply tanks with sledges. However trawling the internet I have yet to see any clear pictures of either the 'top tower' or the sledges. Anyone out there knows how the towing was achieved/
I would suggest that the reason you can't find photos of top towers is that they don't tend to be labelled as such. Take a look at photos of tanks like "Lyric" at Rheims. This is a top tower. The main point of identification is a towing block on the roof just forward of the stowage frame at the rear of the hull. This is held in place or at least reinforced by metal rods running from each side of the block to the pistol ports on each side of the cab, through which they were secured. Note that Lyric lost bits during the 1930s and by the time it was captured by the Wehrmacht in 1940 (along with the rest of France) all the top tower features had been lost. Also, all the top towers I have ever seen are Mark IV Females. I've not seen a Male top tower.
They shall grow not old,as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them,nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.
They shall grow not old,as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them,nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.
I don't know if anyone will read this so long after the last post, but looking at those pics, would it not have made more sense to position the unditching beam in that lower position on all tanks, rather than sitting it over the roof? If the beam had to be used, the tank would offer more protection to the unfortunate man who was sent out to hitch the beam to the tracks - assuming he could still squeeze out the back door, that is...
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
Well observed! There are two positions for carrying unditching beams on the Mark IV. Originally they were carried on top, but in late August 1917 a new position was tried at the hull rear on a few machines. This was later more widely adopted.
I've had the original under the magnifying glass, but can't say for certain. It looks as if it might be planks laid between the rails to form a platform, though to what purpose I don't know. Hard to tell what's going on underneath it, whether it's just a platform or a box. Maybe the roof panel was removed in an attempt to make it possible to attach the beam from inside the Tank - a forerunner of the rear cupola on the Mk V. The 'spuds' seem to be of an experimental type, so maybe the whole thing was something to do with Phillip Johnson.
It actually looks as if the brackets might have impeded the beam's progress, unless they were spring-loaded or somehow retractable.
That's the best I can do.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
James, I think I may have been too hasty with my last post; I'm actually not sure what it is. A quick look at other Mk IVs doesn't seem to show any sort of support. There is a small lever-like object on the rail just to the right , which looks like it may be pivoted (tucked in a 'down' position), but the larger 'supports' I'm not sure of. They seem to have some connection pointing down towards the bases of the rail mounting brackets. What I had in mind was the beam supports visible in various Mk V* pics on Landships pages,
Right. I see what you mean. The clips on the V* look as if they're meant to stop the beam moving in any direction. It appears they're hinged on the rails and can be pivoted upwards from inside the rear cupola to release it.
On the Mk IV photo, the more I look at it, the more I can see a cavity underneath the planking. In fact, the planks fit under the rails, like the sides of the storage tray, so something must be holding them up. I'm increasingly thinking it's a proto-turret. I might be wrong, but there seems to be a rod connecting the two brackets at the bottom, as if they can be lowered simultaneously.
On the original photo there is something that looks very much like a beam, resting on the rails, nearer to the forward cab. It's largely obscured by mud and, apparently, Colonel J.F.C. Fuller, but I think it is one.
P.S. To make a link, copy and paste the url into your reply, select it, and click on the little "chain" icon. What we computer experts call "a thing" will appear. Paste the url into it, and click "Insert." Bob will thereupon be your uncle.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I might be wrong, but there seems to be a rod connecting the two brackets at the bottom, as if they can be lowered simultaneously.
P.S. To make a link, copy and paste the url into your reply, select it, and click on the little "chain" icon. What we computer experts call "a thing" will appear. Paste the url into it, and click "Insert." Bob will thereupon be your uncle.
Thanks for the tip - it'll come in handy, as I don't have an Uncle Bob
As for the rod/brackets, I too thought it looked like a connected assembly; hence my change of mind. If it's not beam-related (which it may still be), then I haven't a clue.
