In the process of building the Mark II Female - "COO-COO", does anyone know if there were any Mark IIs that didn't have grousers? Also, does anyone know the serial numbers of COO-COO? Cheers very much. Hugh
Mark II Female called "Coo-Coo"? Never heard of it. Where did you come across the name?
On the main question - the term "grouser" is not I think the WW1 term, though it's a good question what was. Track extensions or spuds were terms certainly in use, but they seem to be used interchangeably despite describing quite different things. Both were removable and you do see reports of tank crews fixing them in place before action, so it seems any tank might be seen with or without.
I saw "COO-COO" in the distance, crawling along a slope in the WWI in colour documentary (I think she's in Phil's vid on Mk IIs too). What I lack in mental capacity I make up for in eyesight. Thanks though. Making the grousers is tiring work, so I might as well leave them out for now and buy the Matador ones for the male. Cheers ,Hugh.
Oh, and does anyone know the numbers for an unnamed C coy. tank then?
-- Edited by Hughbearson on Saturday 18th of September 2010 08:35:31 PM
Unnamed female Mk II from C company I don't have but C-21 "The Perfect Lady" was 578. Unnamed Mk II male - C26 was 787. At least I don't know the name of the male, someone else may.
Was the name Coo-Coo discussed on this forum? It seems vaguely familiar but a forum search shows nothing. It doesn't even show this thread.
I think they were allowed to name their own tanks, provided that Its first letter was the name of the company and they were called by their gender (With later marks, latter).
I think they were allowed to name their own tanks, provided that Its first letter was the name of the company and they were called by their gender (With later marks, latter).
The crews did name their own tanks usually, but not always, with the initial letter being the same as the company. Some exceptions include Mk I female A13 "We're all in it" (name of a stage show), Mk II female C21 "The perfect lady" (movie), Mk II male WD781 "Iron Duke", and Mk II male WD788 "Lusitania". Gender wasn't always respected either - Mk I female D16 "Dracula" and Mk IV male H1 "Hilda" are two examples.
Arrgh, More evil LIES from Hugh! What, Uhh, sorry, anyway yes, I only really have one book that concerns the names of WWI British tanks. So as a future warning, if you take information from me, be sure to check it elsewhere!
I think this is the tank in question. David Fletcher wasn't able to shed much light on the markings when I asked him about it. If the markings on the bow are a name, the lettering would seem to be much larger than that seen on other Arras tanks, such as "Lusitania" and "Iron Duke". I can't recall seeing any photos of MkI or II tanks in action at Arras without track extenders, although they seem to have been stripped from some of the wrecks after the battle.
Hugh, if I had to guess, I think this tank might be 584 (C46), which broke down near the Arras-Cambrai road. The name of this tank has not been recorded, as far as I am aware.
-- Edited by Rhomboid on Monday 20th of September 2010 08:35:30 PM
