Scale: 1/76 | Models used: Airfix – WWI Male Tank Mk.I (Kit nr. A01315V), White Stork Miniatures – WWI British Tankers (F72034)

During WWI a new weapon entered the battlefield, the so called tank. The Mark I entered service in August 1916, and was first used in action on the morning of 15 September 1916 during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Somme Offensive.

This particular tank called the HMLS Dragonfly serves the British forces. A crew member reports to his commander, while an engineer has finished with his last tasks before the next push towards victory.

Armed with naval guns, these machines were quite the sight. Steering was difficult, controlled by varying the speed of the two tracks. Four of the crew, two drivers (one of whom also acted as commander; he operated the brakes, the other the primary gearbox) and two “gearsmen” (one for the secondary gears of each track) were needed to control direction and speed, the latter never more than a walking pace.

During the First World War, British propaganda made frequent use of tanks, portraying them as a wonder weapon that would quickly win the war. They were featured in films and popular songs.

An early model British Mark I “male” tank, named C-15, near Thiepval, 25 September 1916. The tank is probably in reserve for the Battle of Thiepval Ridge which began on 26 September. The tank is fitted with the wire “grenade shield” and steering tail, both features discarded in the next models. Credit: Ernest Brooks, collections of the Imperial War Museums (collection no. 1900-09)

This is one of those Airfix kits that a lot of you may have built in the past. And for good reason. It’s an affordable kit, it builds up pretty quickly and results in a nice representation of this historic tank. I love the ‘Solomon camouflage’ scheme, so I tried to put in the effort to give this the painting finish it deserved.

The figures are from White Stork Miniatures, although being a slightly different 1/72 scale, I felt that the quality of the figures really adds some life and scale to the tank. The base is from Tamiya. For the mud texture I used some Vallejo Earth texture with some variants of grass types. The puddles were filled with some Vallejo Still Water. By drybrushing I tried to give the impression of highlights.

I’ve sold this diorama in 2026.