Inside Mark I: The First Fighting Tank

We hope you enjoyed this unique episode of Tank Chats Reloaded - let us know what you thought in the comments below!

That German soldier that bayoneted one on the gunners in the foot must have struggled to keep up with the tank due to the weight of his balls

Surely one of the best tank chats/insides, that touches on the absolute hell that the first tankers had to endure...

A glaring problem with early tanks not mentioned was that they were unsprung. There was no suspension system, and the terrain they crossed was rough and pocked by holes made by artillery. Between the engine fumes, gunpowder fumes and horribly rough ride, it wasn't uncommon for tank occupants to become violently nauseous. Later in the war when they tried using a few rhomboid tanks as infantry carriers, the troops were incapacitated to the point of being unable to fight once they were across to the German lines.

I still think it's so cool that the only surviving German A7V was captured by Australians and is now displayed in my hometown of Brisbane 🇦🇺

Really fascinating. When I saw that engine in the middle of the tank's interior, I winced in pain. I could imagine the tank under enemy fire and therefore completely enclosed, weapons firing and that 1915 engine in the middle of it all with its heat, fumes and noise. It makes me appreciate driving my Toyota Corolla.

Thanks for this video today. My family is remembering my Granduncle Pvt Ernest William Maud who died on this day 15/09/1916 North-East of Delville Wood. RIP

Brilliant crisp, clear delivery. Great Tank chat.

I owe my life to the effectiveness of modern Armor, which wouldn't have been possible if not for the lessons that were first started with the Mark I. With all her wear and tear, she is a beauty worthy of every ounce of respect earned from a baptism by blood and fire.

i played in the Mark 1 in the 1960's in the grounds of Hatfield House. looks much nicer now compared to when i tried to drive it as a six year old lol

I read the piece on you by the New York Times! So proud of your work. You're setting the trend for other institutions with far greater resources than yours. Congratulations!

My great uncle was killed at flers in 1916. I visited his grave in 2001, that was a fascinating account , thankyou.

At 7:56 you can see the very first cope cage. Intersting to see it wasn't effective either.

The vehicle that defined tank-tical warfare

I actually have a sheared off rivet presumably from a tank that maybe took part in this action. Found it 1988 looking for battle field debris around Flers when i was a kid.

I was born in Hatfield in 1958. In the mid 60's I can recall being taken to Hatfield House for a day out. I vividly remember the tank on display there and being able to climb on it and inside it. It was full of children inside, all having great fun. I recall that someone had forced fizzy drinks cans into what I presume were the shell racks, and there was a strong smell of pee in there. Obviously some naughty child not bothering too much about where and when... It's amazing to me to recall how much freedom we had in those days to climb and play as we wished. By way of contrast, how precious everyone is about artefacts like this nowadays. What a shame that no one will ever see that interior again, except through the medium of video. On one of the occasions in the past when I visited Bovington, I remember asking a member of staff if this was the Hatfield tank, but they weren't sure. I'm glad to have clarified that.

Dear Chris, an excellent presentation, thank you for your ceaseless efforts and the continuing quality of the material. I think you can present the MK1 on behalf of the Museum without qualifications for the rather rough interior state, the camera work made everything very visible and (we imagine) we can see broadly what the crew might have seen, and description fills in any gaps. Thank you.

Enjoying these more factual videos, without the sensationalism of the "top 10" or "worst 10" ones. Great pivot in content!

Probably one of the best, if not the best, Tank Chat so far. Always wanted to see inside the Mark I

Thank you so much for the clear and concise educational video.