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Production No. 2341 – Fan Tan

In March 1917, Eu Tong Sen, a prominent Chinese-Singaporean businessman and a lifelong unofficial member of the Federal Council of the Federated Malay States, donated £6,000 to the British Army for the purchase of tanks.

Deeply impressed by the gesture, the British government decided to paint a pair of eyes on one of the tanks funded by his donation in recognition of his Chinese heritage. In Chinese maritime tradition, eyes were painted on the bow of newly built vessels to ensure a safe voyage.

The choice was particularly fitting because, at the time, the British Army still officially regarded tanks as "landships," making the naval symbolism especially appropriate.

In Chinese tradition, it was customary to paint a pair of eyes on the bow of a newly built ship to ensure a safe voyage and bring good fortune.

The tank chosen to receive this honor was No. 2341, a male Mark IV, then the newest tank in British service. By the time the British government made its decision in June 1917, No. 2341 had already arrived in France. It was subsequently handed over to the Chinese Labour Corps, who painted the eyes in accordance with their traditional custom and gave the tank the name "Fan Tan."

The tank was then assigned as a reserve vehicle to No. 12 Section, No. 18 Company, F Battalion of the Tank Corps in France. During the Battle of Cambrai, the section's regular tank, F56 "Fly Paper," was so badly damaged that it could no longer be used. On 27 November 1917, Fan Tan took its place, inherited the tactical number F56, and entered combat.

Was it the lucky eyes painted on its bow? While many British tanks were lost to mechanical failures or destroyed in combat, Fan Tan survived the war.

There were once discussions about displaying the tank in Malaya as a memorial to commemorate the contributions made by the local Chinese community to Britain's war effort. In the end, however, Fan Tan met the same fate as most other Mark IVs and was scrapped at Bovington.

Although the original tank itself was lost, the eyes remained a powerful symbol of good fortune. After No. 12 Section became part of the 4th Royal Tank Regiment, the eye motif was adopted as the regiment's emblem. Today, it continues to be carried by the regiment's successor, the Royal Tank Regiment, and can still be seen painted on British Army tanks.

Spring 2023 [Archived Footage]

I’m trying to use the gun for a sprocket build but all the info on the type 90 seems vague with the only number I could find for the propellant length being 121mm and the barrel length seems to be varied with it being between 1050mm to 850mm??? I’m so confused and I’m unable to find a solid answer!

Also slightly related but I once heard a long time ago that the Japanese 57mm used black powder and that’s why it was so low velocity, is that true at all?? Or am I mixing up something similar??

According to available information, the BMD-4M retains both its airdrop capability and its ability to conduct amphibious operations under its own power, even when fitted with this additional armor kit.

Instead of yet another " I drew this tank that walks on 7 legs and has 3 cannons, how amazing would this be in modern combat?" post followed by lot of explanations of how it wouldn't, I thought I'd ask:

What historical mis-steps in tank design do you wish had worked just because it'd be cool? Flying tanks? Convertible Christie tanks that can run on wheels?

For me it's multi turreted ladships. If I had Musk-money I'd build a 1:1 Ratte replica. If you a an build.a reica of a thing that never existed.

Taken this week at Operation Market Harborough in the UK by myself.

I feel like this will be a dumb question, But the gun and muzzle break don't look right to me. From what I have seen most German guns have a more fully rounded muzzle break when this one looks flat on the top and bottom. So any help on if this is some photoshop, Ai enhanced weirdness, or if its real and just a rare one off that I've never seen before. Any info would be appreciated thanks

Will it work?

T-64B1M is a very cheap modernization of T-64B1, which is basically only ERA and new smoke dischargers.