Hello. I came across this photo while scanning WWI photos at NARA. The caption indicates that it is a model of one-man tank. That can't be correct, can it? Is it just an advertising gimmick?
This is an old favourite. This vehicle appears in several photos of Benjamin Holt and Ernest Swinton on the occasion of Swinton's visit to the Holt factory in April 1918. There is also a film clip of it on IIRC the Pathé website.
The most popular explanation is that it was buit at Holt's especially to mark the visit, and is just a novelty, made mostly of wood, and powered by a motorcycle engine. It has also been claimed that it was built for the American Red Cross (again, IIRC), to use in fundraising activities, and borrowed for Swinton's visit.
I've read a claim that Pliny Holt, son of Benjamin, designed a one-man tank that was built by Ford, but I think that's confusion with this machine.
David Fletcher, formerly of Bovington Tank Museum, has written an article about it, which I shall try to find.
-- Edited by James H on Saturday 2nd of May 2015 11:18:56 AM
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I can't believe it! The caption is wrong? Thanks for the information. I kept examining the photo and thinking that one man could not drive the tank and handle three weapons at the same time, and that some aspects of the tank looked too delicate for anything that would really go into battle. But what do I know, I am primarily an artillery and fortification guy.
Regards, Marc
-- Edited by MLW on Saturday 2nd of May 2015 11:09:53 AM
"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.
Thanks for the information. I kept examining the photo and thinking that one man could not drive the tank and handle three weapons at the same time, and that some aspects of the tank looked too delicate for anything that would really go into battle. But what do I know, I am primarily an artillery and fortification guy.
