WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
This is a WW1 British "Tadpole" tank made by Weston Toy Company back in 2007. The model came fully assembled in a basic green color. I cleaned up some flash, drilled out the mortar and did a paint and weathering job on the tank. It is 1/32 scale and originally intended to go with toy soldier playsets.
The only moving parts on the tank are the two cannons and the three machine guns...
The Tadpole was basically a lengthened version of the British MkIV Male tank. They added extra track length to cross trenches more easily, as the Germans were digging their trenches to a 12' width to defeat the MkIVs. The idea never took hold. Only a few prototypes were made and never saw action...
The tank was equipped with a 6" mortar on a deck on the rear of the vehicle. I am not really sure what the idea with that was. Tube mortars were a relatively new weapon at the time...
There are many 1/35 scale models of the MkIV on the market. This is the only 1/32 version I know of. There are cast models made by some of the toy soldier manufacturers that are in the 1/30's range. They are very expensive though.
Weston Toy Company also made a German A7V WW1 tank. I will do a thread on that one soon. They never made a common MkIV male or female tank...too bad. The Tadpole and A7Vcan still be found on EBay but I believe Weston Toy went out of business a few years ago....
Tom
The only moving parts on the tank are the two cannons and the three machine guns...
The Tadpole was basically a lengthened version of the British MkIV Male tank. They added extra track length to cross trenches more easily, as the Germans were digging their trenches to a 12' width to defeat the MkIVs. The idea never took hold. Only a few prototypes were made and never saw action...
The tank was equipped with a 6" mortar on a deck on the rear of the vehicle. I am not really sure what the idea with that was. Tube mortars were a relatively new weapon at the time...
There are many 1/35 scale models of the MkIV on the market. This is the only 1/32 version I know of. There are cast models made by some of the toy soldier manufacturers that are in the 1/30's range. They are very expensive though.
Weston Toy Company also made a German A7V WW1 tank. I will do a thread on that one soon. They never made a common MkIV male or female tank...too bad. The Tadpole and A7Vcan still be found on EBay but I believe Weston Toy went out of business a few years ago....
Tom
Last edited by krieglok on Mon Nov 07, 2016 6:52 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
Wow! I have seen this tank. It's toy-like. Excellent work. You should send a pic to Steve Weston. I'm sure he'd love to see what you have done. I look forward to seeing the finished German tank.
Ketelone
"Freedom is not free."
"Freedom is not free."
Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
That looks outstanding!!!
Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
Thanks guys. Yes definitely a toy! It was a good model to try and upgrade with some simple painting. The A7V is a bit more intricate, especially in the road wheel and tracks area. I am still researching that paint job!
Oh and Weston Toys is still alive and kicking. They still produce both tanks! Here is a link to their site...
http://plasticsoldiers.co.uk/index.php/ ... on-toy-co/
Tom
Oh and Weston Toys is still alive and kicking. They still produce both tanks! Here is a link to their site...
http://plasticsoldiers.co.uk/index.php/ ... on-toy-co/
Tom
Last edited by krieglok on Mon Nov 07, 2016 6:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Officer - Brigadier General
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Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
I'm serious. You should show Steve what you've done with his product. I believe he'd really enjoy your finished product.
I saw Steve at the Toy Soldier Show in September. I'm glad to see he's still producing new products. So many manufacturers have fallen by the wayside.
I saw Steve at the Toy Soldier Show in September. I'm glad to see he's still producing new products. So many manufacturers have fallen by the wayside.
Ketelone
"Freedom is not free."
"Freedom is not free."
Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
K, I looked up the Weston Toy company after I read your post and found his site with the email address. I did sent him the pics at your suggestion. Thanks for the idea.
His business seems to be thriving over there in Britain. Nice to see.
Tom
His business seems to be thriving over there in Britain. Nice to see.
Tom
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Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
Tom,
I'm telling you Steve is a good guy. He'll love seeing your work.
Paul
I'm telling you Steve is a good guy. He'll love seeing your work.
Paul
Ketelone
"Freedom is not free."
"Freedom is not free."
Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
You are right! He wrote back the next day and let me know how he liked the photos. He also included the plans for turning a Tadpole into a regular MkIV, something I had been planning on doing. A really nice guy who loves discussing tanks and soldiers.
I finished painting my Weston German A7V yesterday. Just need to clear coat it . Photos soon.
Tom
I finished painting my Weston German A7V yesterday. Just need to clear coat it . Photos soon.
Tom
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- Officer - Brigadier General
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Re: WW1 British "Tadpole" tank...1/32
Wow! Very nicely done. Send pics to Steve.
Ketelone
"Freedom is not free."
"Freedom is not free."