Vickers MK VIB

[Roddy de Normann]

Good evening -

Ref the Aussie Mk VIAs, here are the details I hold on them...

They all came from the same contract - T/3021 to Vickers Armstrong, Elswick. The Govt bought nthem to replace the ageing Medium Mk.IIs. The contract was let out on 9 Apr 1936, and the company advised on 11 May 1936.

It appears the vehs arrived in Australia in Aug 1937, with the two light coys being established in early 1939 - the 1st in Sydney, the 2nd in Melbourne...details can be found in 'Dust, Sand & Jungle' by Paul Handel...

'KANGAROO'

T. 1790
CMM 974
VAE No. 1556
Veh Engine No: 9466
2nd (Australian) Light Tank Company
Aust VRN - DD 270

'KOALA'

T. 1791
CMM 975
VAE No. 1557
Veh Engine No: 9467
Aust DD 271

(Veh pictured in Pathe News film 600.11)


'PLATYPUS'

T. 1792
CMM 976
VAE No. 1558 &
Veh Engine No: 9396
Aust DD 272

'WALLABY'

T. 1793
CMM 977
VAE No. 1559
Veh Engine No: 9468
Aust DD 273


'WOMBAT'

T. 1794
CMM 978
VAE No. 1560
Veh Engine No: 9469
Aust DD 274


'BOWER BIRD'

T. 1795
CMM 979
VAE No. 156
Veh Engine No: 9470
Aust DD 275

(9 Sep 37 - Veh pictured at Victoria Bks - Pic 8627, Hood Collection, Library of NSW)


'EMU'

T. 1796
CMM 980
VAE No. 1562
Veh Engine No: 9471
Aust DD 276

(9 Sep 37 - Veh pictured at Victoria Bks - Pic 8627, Hood Collection, Library of NSW)


'KINGFISHER'

T. 1797
CMM 981
VAE No. 1563 &
Veh Engine No: 9521
Aust DD 277

(9 Sep 37 - Veh pictured at Victoria Bks - Pic 8627, Hood Collection, Library of NSW)


'KOOKABURRA'

T. 1798
CMM 982
VAE No. 1564 & Aust DD 278
Veh Engine No: 9523

(9 Sep 37 - Veh pictured at Victoria Bks - Pic 8627, Hood Collection, Library of NSW)
(20 Nov 37 - Veh pictured at Cenotaph Memorial prob for Cambrai Day wreath laying - Pic 16376, Hood Collection, Library of NSW)


'MAGPIE'

T. 1799
CMM 983
VAE No. 1565
Veh Engine No: 9530
Aust DD 279

(9 Sep 37 - Veh pictured at Victoria Bks - Pic 8627, Hood Collection, Library of NSW)

Hope this helps

Roddy