The Museum of Lincolnshire Life, housed in Victorian army barracks, has on display one of the first tanks developed by the local firm of William Foster & Co. The tank, named "Flirt II" is a Mark IV Female (armed with machine guns rather than cannon) although the tank on display was actually built in Birmingham (Oldbury?) one of the 595 built during the war. This tank saw action at the famous Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.
In case you were wondering the box art for the Emhar MK IV was based on this particlar tank. The chaps from Ehmar used this example for reference.
From 1917 numerous Mark IV tanks were used to promote the sale of War Bonds and War Saving Certificates. The Government released tanks to towns and cities throughout the country. After the war all, except one in Ashford Kent, were scrapped. These Presentation Tanks were displayed throughout the midlands including: Birmingham, Brierley Hill (my home town, I believe the tank was on display outside St Michael’s church), Dudley, Oldbury, Smethwick, Stourbridge, Sutton Coalfield, Walsall, Willenhall and Wolverhampton.
Date of visit: 28th March 2008.
Living not far from here I've seen htis exhibit many times. In the same museum they also have a full Roman legion in 25mm figures.
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