Vickers MK VIB

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Gina Vampire

This vehicle was used by the NSW Armored corps . all those used in Victoria had Australian native bird names the ones used in NSW has marsupial names.

Gina,
The wrong way around, it was the NSW unit (1st Light Tank Company) that had the bird names, and the Vic unit (2nd Light Tank Company) the marsupials. I have seen photographic evidence of these.

[colin jones]

Just by chance, does anyone happen to know where there might be a turret lying around anywhere.
Colin.

[Mike Cecil]

...And the one at the Littlefield Collection looks excellent, too, although it is in British markings, not Australian, which is a pity from an Australian's perspective. I saw it a couple of months ago when I visited (again).

Can't say the AC1 they have looks good, though: the ex-Belfield tank is out in the weather, and weathering badly in the California sun, wind and rain. Such a waste.

Richard, I didn't know the other one ended up at Duxford: I'd have paid more attention to it when I visited. Have to put it high on the list for next time I'm there.

Mike C

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

...And the one at the Littlefield Collection looks excellent, too, although it is in British markings, not Australian, which is a pity from an Australian's perspective. I saw it a couple of months ago when I visited (again).

Hi Mike,
Having done some research on this tank at the time, as you will remember, I was a bit puzzled that the owner wanted it painted to represent Northern France theatre 1939-40, especially having found photos of the actual vehicle in training in Vic. At least it has its correct numbers on it.

Out of the 10 tanks that went to Australia, 5 are known to still exist in some form or another (that includes Colin's!)

regards, Richard

[Mike K]

I was told that John Belfield had at least one, or maybe two of these . What happened to them ?

[Mrs Vampire]

Here is the article from British and American Tanks of WWII that showed me the first pictures I had of Koala in action. ( Chamberlain and Ellis arms and Armour press 1969 ) . The name Koala was still quite visible when she was recovered. Platypus had most the top removed , however the front hatches and turret were still laying next to Koala when they were recovered.

The AWM folk provided some better shots of Koala and some of the NSW division that I have someplace .

Vickers 010001a.jpg

[Mrs Vampire]

After it was recovered we gave her a bit of a bogus paint job with an authentic one slated when full restoration was going to be undertaken.

Vickers03a.jpg

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Gina Vampire

Here is the article from British and American Tanks of WWII that showed me the first pictures I had of Koala in action. ( Chamberlain and Ellis arms and Armour press 1969 ) . The name Koala was still quite visible when she was recovered. Platypus had most the top removed , however the front hatches and turret were still laying next to Koala when they were recovered.

The AWM folk provided some better shots of Koala and some of the NSW division that I have someplace .

hi Gina,
That looks like Wallaby in the foreground of your attachment and on exercise in Victoria.

There are some excellent photos of the 5 that were sent to the NSW unit on the State Library website. Seem to recollect they were taken at the Victoria barracks and looking like they had just been shipped in.