Original British WWI Mark IV Tank Wood Model – Formerly A.A.F. Tank Museum Collection Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a masterfully crafted wooden model of the famed British Mark IV Female Tank! Judging by the appearance, style and even coloration of the wood itself it is our belief that this tank was likely made just after the Great War in the early 1920s. The tank is in fantastic condition and even has “doors” that you can open and may have very well been a tobacco storage display item.

The tank came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser’s donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when this tank was acquired.

The condition as stated is quite nice, but as with any wood product that is nearly 100 years old, there is the expected cracking and splits in the wood. The varnish is retained quite well with some loss on the front plate that appears to have had a tag or something applied which is now unfortunately long gone. We couldn’t find any solid identifiable markings on it. Measures approximately 17″L x 12 1/2″W x 8″H.

A lovely wooden tank model that comes more than ready for further research and display.

The Mark IV (pronounced Mark four) was a British tank of the First World War. Introduced in 1917, it benefited from significant developments of the Mark I tank (the intervening designs being small batches used for training). The main improvements were in armour, the re-siting of the fuel tank and ease of transport. A total of 1,220 Mk IV were built: 420 “Males”, 595 “Females” and 205 Tank Tenders (unarmed vehicles used to carry supplies), which made it the most numerous British tank of the war. The Mark IV was first used in mid 1917 at the Battle of Messines Ridge. It remained in British service until the end of the war, and a small number served briefly with other combatants afterwards.