Which numbering were you after? There are at least three possibilities for British heavies. 1. The WD number - small, usually found on the rear horns (Mk I - V**). 2. The Home service number - large with no letters, found on the front horns (Mk I - V**). 3. The Battalion number - Usually a medium size containing battalion letter, on the front horns (Mk I - V*), and rear stores box (Mk I, II), and fuel tank (Mk IV).
Thanks for the images and info. Is it safe to assume that WD numbers started at 1 and ran consecutively regardless of Mark, and that there are definite start/stop numbers for each Mark?
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Those who live by the sword will be shot by those of us who have progressed.
The range of numbers for each Mk can be found in "The Devil's Chariots" by John Glanfield (Mk I - V**) and also in "The Mk I British Tank" by David Fletcher (Mk I, II, & III). I haven't seen "The Mk IV British Tank" by David Fletcher yet so don't know if the WD numbers are in there for the Mk IV's but someone else may be able to help there.
The ranges are straightforward for the Mk I - III, V-V**: Mk I male: 701 - 775 Mk I female: 501 - 575 Mk II male: 776 - 800 Mk II female: 576 - 600 Mk III male: 801 - 825 Mk III female: 601 - 625 Mk V male¹: 9001 - 9200 Mk V female¹: 9251 - 9450 Mk V* male¹: 9501 - 9700 and 10001 - 10300 Mk V* female¹: 9751 - 9950 Mk V** male: 10501 - 10650 and 10901 - 11500² Mk V** female: 10701 - 10850²
¹ = As originally constructed. Many Mk V's and some Mk V*'s were converted to hermaphrodites / composites by swapping one male sponson with one female sponson.
² = Includes unbuilt numbers. Only 25 Mk V**'s were finished due to the end of the war.
These WD numbers are taken from "The Devil's Chariots"
The Mk IV series is not so straightforward. Gwyn Evans and Rhomboid; help me out here!
Mark has given two good secondary sources for WD (aka manufacturers', census or serial) numbers. The primary source for serial numbers for the Mark V onwards is "Office Instruction No.19: Numbering of Machines" issued by the Mechanical Warfare Department, but undated. You should note that this document is based on tanks ordered - not all were actually built - and is the source of the numbers Mark has given you. However the primary source also gives the allocated numbers for the Mark VII, VIII, IX, Medium B and C.
The Mark IV series is particularly complicated since there is no primary source (known to me anyway) explaining the system. I have collected very many examples of Mark IV serials, and also evidence from other primary documents that have allowed me to postulate what the series are (there isn't just one). However I cannot yet reconcile the total number of tanks implied by my postulated series to the alleged number of Mark IVs produced. I could understand the problem if I was postulating too few tanks, but I have too many.
So the Mark IV question is still open. I continue to collect photos, hunt for documents and try to piece together the evidence and one day I shall be able to answer your question.
Which numbering were you after? There are at least three possibilities for British heavies. 1. The WD number - small, usually found on the rear horns (Mk I - V**). 2. The Home service number - large with no letters, found on the front horns (Mk I - V**). 3. The Battalion number - Usually a medium size containing battalion letter, on the front horns (Mk I - V*), and rear stores box (Mk I, II), and fuel tank (Mk IV).
Examples attached.
There are some exceptions to these general rules. For example Mk V Female 9280 had its Battalion no A6 on the sponson, there are some variations in size in Battalion no- some Mk Is having very small numbers. WD no is usually on the rear horns but not always. "In war nothing is simple"
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