Landships II

Tarok · Corporal

Whippet info required

eugene · Field Marshal

1. cant help you there . . .

2. well whippets were usally painted in earthbrown, like humbrol 29, but some believe they were painted green, so it might depend on specific tak

Tonys · Field Marshal

Rudi,
I've got the details of how the Whippet came to South Africa and what it was used for - I just need to find them. it is mentioned in one of David Fletcher's books (as lost - he's now got photos of the thing!). There was talk of getting it running again as it is virtually complete, but as its a registerd war memorial, it's doubtful that that will happen, especially as there are very few technical people left in the Army.
I'll look over the next week to see if I've got more info - alternatively, you can approach the librarian at the Army College at Voortrekkerhoogte for info.
Tony

Tarok · Corporal

Tony,

Thanks, and sorry for the late reply.

The Whippet is long since completed, I opted to paint it Dark Earth and use the British national markings, since the 2 photos I managed to find for the period seemed to indicate that particular colour scheme.

The plan is for the Whippet to go into a Rand Revolt dio, along with some converted ICM WW1 British soldiers.... as soon as I find the time for modelling again..

Rudi

Tonys · Field Marshal

The tank was not "sold off" with other whippets, but was originally shipped out to South Africa as a recruiting drive. Arrangements were made with the War Office during Aug to Oct 1918. After the recruiting purposes were to be over, the Union Government was to take over the tank.
Recruiting ceased before the tank arrived, and therefore was tranferred to the Union Govt at a prime cost of 4 170 GBP. It was to be used for collections for the Governer-General's Fund, and therefore the cost was borne by the two parties.
By Sept, 1920, that the total amount collected on behalf of the Governer-General's fund was 12 852/12/1 GBP.

Some time later, it was decided to transfer the tank to become the full property of the SA Govt, and to refurbish the tank to full working order at a cost of 75 GBP.
At one stage, it was stationed at the Drill Hall in downtown Johannesburg, and would have been there during the Revolt.
In 1926, it was decided to transport it to the Army College in Pretoria to become a war memorial. It duly became a declared memorial.
It is painted silver, but the Army College might be able to inspect the tank for original paint, such as under the engine cover.
The Army College's fax is +27 12 314-3750.
I'll try and find the photos I took for David Fletcher to see if I can pick up any colour.
Tony Sheffield