Welcome to the WWII Forums! Log in or Sign up to interact with the community.

Question for engineers who know WW1 tanks, or others who have advice

Discussion in 'WWII Activities and Hobbies' started by Literalfire3481, Apr 18, 2018.

?

Build a modern WWI Mk V?

  1. Worth it

    1 vote(s)
    33.3%
  2. Not worth it

    2 vote(s)
    66.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Literalfire3481

    Literalfire3481 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    3
    I absolutely love the WWI Mark V British tank and it has been a goal of mine to have at least a model of it because its my favorite tank in the world. I had an idea a couple years ago that what if you took the designs of the Mk V and made it "modern". So you would have the outwards appearance of the Mk V but you have the armor, weapons, power, and all that other jazz of say a Abrams tank. I know its an extreme idea based on how much it costs to build a Abrams but its only an idea. My dream for a while now is to take iconic tanks of WWI and WWII and make them able to stand up to modern tanks in a fight. Mainly because there is nothing more awesome in my mind than seeing a tank from WWII going toe to toe with an Abrams in my mind. But i guess my question is that how costly would it be to try and make Mk V modern, so really the only thing still WWI about it would be its appearance. It would be a thing that could travel around going to fairs and things like that so that people could see something that they would normally have to go to a museum in Europe for. So again, how good of a plan is it and would it really be worth it. If so then how much would it probably cost to do such a thing
     
    Otto likes this.
  2. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,411
    Likes Received:
    456
    Location:
    Arizona U.S.A
    Welcome to the forums litealfire, I too think about things like this, WW2 era weaponry going against modern weaponry, not necessarily armor, but similar things. As awesome as it would be too see such a spectacle, it would absolutely be hugely expensive, and for most of those tanks, you would have to essentially remake the tank for it to use modern engines, modern transmission, modern guns, and modern day Cannons mounted on Tanks can penetrate just about everything made before 1990, so you would have to add huge amounts of armor to many tanks, but even then that still might not be enough. Cool idea, in a different dimension where such a thing was possible, yeah it would be worth it. Here in reality though, it's definitely not worth it, possible, or practical.
     
    Literalfire3481 likes this.
  3. lwd

    lwd Ace

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
    Messages:
    12,322
    Likes Received:
    1,245
    Location:
    Michigan
    I think you could create a modern version of a WWI tank pretty reasonably but it would be like the modern Me-262s. Not really a weapon system but also a lot more reliable and easier to use.

    If you try to use a WWI design or even a WWII one and get the military performance, i.e. mobility, survivability, and lethality of say an Abrams you are looking at something that would have to be bigger and heavier than an Abrams vastly more expensive. Now you could take modern materials and make a version that was superior to the one of the time. In the case of a WWI tank that might not even be too expensive (aside from the lethality part).
     
    Literalfire3481 and JJWilson like this.
  4. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    18,180
    Likes Received:
    5,654
    A Bren gun carrier with RPG launcher would be fun for when my neighbors' kids get in my yard. :p
     
  5. Literalfire3481

    Literalfire3481 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    3
    Well thank you all for your input and like i said this is only an idea. I knew from the start that a Mk V would never be able to stand up against a Abrams but i could at least try and match the mobility of it or just as best as i could. Besides there wouldnt be much of a point in upgrading the weapons because i wouldnt want to be in it in a combat situation. Ive always just played around with the idea and even got in touch a long while ago with some people who hand built a Renault Ft 17 replica and they said they did the same thing i would want to but since it is inherently smaller and lighter their main goal was to just make it faster and slightly more mobile in turning so they could drive it around in their towns parade. But once again thanks for all the info, and who knows, if i some how luck up to be one of the few who make it rich then i might even still try it.
     
    JJWilson likes this.
  6. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2010
    Messages:
    3,222
    Likes Received:
    1,171
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Nein! Amerikaner schweinhund! Need Bren Carrier mit Panzerschreck fur kaputting Bolshevik panzer und neighbour kids!

    [​IMG]
     
    JJWilson and Literalfire3481 like this.
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    6,300
    Likes Received:
    1,919
    Location:
    Perfidious Albion
    X2OCP2O.jpg






    And on recreation rather than improving on, Guy Martin, JCB & the Norfolk Tank Museum did a cracking replica very recently:
    Guy Martin's WWI Tank - All 4

     
    Literalfire3481 likes this.
  8. Literalfire3481

    Literalfire3481 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    3
    Yes you could do this but i would think, why not just get a M4 sherman Calliope and then you have multiple rockets and a main gun as well as a proper tank
     
    JJWilson likes this.
  9. Literalfire3481

    Literalfire3481 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    3
    Well ill be darned somebody is actually doing this. I will be sure to watch this so thank you very much. Though im not crazy about the yellow and brown color but still its another Mk V replica
     
  10. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2010
    Messages:
    3,222
    Likes Received:
    1,171
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Why not the Calliope? Because Deutsche engineering ist best engineering. Who else could take a filthy Englander tracked gerat and turn it into a wunderwaffe ersatz Panzerjager? Almost as ingenious as the carbon-neutral "Eselpanzerjager mit Funkgerat":

    [​IMG]

    Plus, I like my Shermans without a set of wrongly-assembled scaffolding and surplus plumbing material on the top. And besides, it wouldn't fit into my garage any more if I did the mod.
     
  11. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    Messages:
    18,043
    Likes Received:
    2,363
    Location:
    Alabama
    He can't be too smart. From the garb he is wearing, it looks like he intentionally jumps out of perfectly good airplanes.
    Right @A-58 ?
     
    George Patton likes this.
  12. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    18,180
    Likes Received:
    5,654
    I don't do subtle.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    6,300
    Likes Received:
    1,919
    Location:
    Perfidious Albion
    Yeah, yeah. We get it.
    Just start the 'life with Easy' thread so we can abuse you properly, while squirming in inadequate envy!
     
    George Patton likes this.
  14. formerjughead

    formerjughead The Cooler King

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2008
    Messages:
    5,627
    Likes Received:
    1,006
    I despise you right now with such a burning passion...."Not Available in your area", not to mention I have to be to work in an hour.
     
  15. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2012
    Messages:
    6,329
    Likes Received:
    1,712
    Location:
    The Arid Zone
    I'll see your Panzerfaustenburro and raise you a pack of hounds with dynamite packs! Oh wait, the Russkies tried that...

    .
     
  16. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    6,300
    Likes Received:
    1,919
    Location:
    Perfidious Albion
    It's a IV, though I'll concede they can be a bugger to tell apart without a front view.
    Colours are just undercoats.
    I am kind of unlikable!
    Though Mr Martin may need subtitling for the USA. Maybe that delays the transfer.
    Doubtless it'll be on Quest or something soon.
    It's a relatively light programme, though the glimpses of technology applied were remarkable. Particularly JCB's computers, cutting, & welding.
    End result an entirely convincing WW1 replica, though their hunt for a Ricardo engine proved fruitless. Think they used a more modern Rolls in the end.
     
  17. Literalfire3481

    Literalfire3481 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    3
    well i seriously didnt expect a simple question to blow up into this. I say let it go on and i guess the calliope wouldnt be the best for a garage but then again, most tanks arnt especially since you would practically destroy the concrete floor and driveway if you have one.
     
  18. Chewy_Barry

    Chewy_Barry Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2018
    Messages:
    61
    Likes Received:
    23
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    You might want to build it on an existing chassis, it may not be an exact model but it will conserve lots of time and effort.
     
  19. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    6,300
    Likes Received:
    1,919
    Location:
    Perfidious Albion
    Nah, then you end up with that Centurion based thing.
    Looks alright from a distance, but always basically wrong.

    4380.jpg
    (Cent ARV based, $100,000 to make for 'League of extraordinary gentlemen' in 2003. Flogged on Milweb for £25k)

    Start from scratch! Build it in Polymer!


    Maybe a couple of light escorts?
    The Weald chaps are almost done with their Ft17 & Tsf
    The Weald Foundation | Military Vehicles & Tank Restoration Projects
    Perhaps they'll have time to build your turbine powered Mk.V.


    Yeah, 'George', watch that Garage floor.
    You bastard.
     
    George Patton likes this.
  20. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    18,180
    Likes Received:
    5,654
    I wondered where that ... thing ... came from.
     

Share This Page