I don't just build One Wing Biplanes . . .
Here's an AFV I built for a GB in 2015, over on the Airfix Tribute Forum, based in the Airfix / ex-JB Models Light Tank Mark VI . . .
Light Tank, MkVI, Flamethrower, 'Wyvern'
Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF), September 1940.
"In the summer of 1940, things were desperate. Although almost all of the BEF had been recued from Dunkirk, virtually all of their heavy equipment had been lost. Now, Britain was faced with a imminent invasion, should the Luftwaffe defeat the RAF, in the skies above Southern Britain. Despite the munitions factories working at full capacity, there just weren't enough modern tanks and guns available to mount an effective defence. The defending forces would have to fight with whatever was available, no matter how outdated. Among these obsolete weapons were several hundred Light Tanks, MkVI. As was shown in the ill-fated France campaign, these tanks were useless against any enemy apart from unsupported infantry. As a result, they were allocated to the defence of munitions factories, in particular aircraft factories, to defend them against enemy paratroopers. However, even here, their usefulness was questionable. What could be done to increase these tanks' lethality? Lord Beaverbrook, the dynamic Minister of Aircraft Production, had seen the demonstrations of the 'Cockatrice' heavy flamethrowers, intended to defend RAF and RN airfields against parachute attack. Impressed, he ordered the light tanks assigned to aircraft factory defence modified as flamethrowers as well.
Due to the urgency of the project, the designers were given 48hrs (the weekend) to come up with a concept. At a meeting with Beaverbrook on Monday morning, the designers revealed their design. The turret was removed, and the commander and (flame)Gunner's positions transferrred to the hull. The turret ring was cut out, and the hull top plated over. The Commander and Gunner's positions were provided with cupolas, to give them a fighting view when closed down. The flame fuel tank was to be mounted across the rear of the hull, and compressed air cylinders mounted on the hull side. Lastly the vehicle was to use a new design of flame gun, based on a Swiss design, and nicknamed 'Colibri', which could be operated from inside the tank, without exposing the crew. The name 'Wyvern' was proposed, after the two-legged dragon of ancient myth, to fit in with 'Cockatrice', and 'Basilisk', two more mythical monsters, which were also the names of mobile flamethrowers.
Such was the urgency of the situation, the tanks were delivered to their assigned factories unpainted, and painted using whatever was available, in the case of CBAF assigned machines, RAF Dark Earth. Markings were simple, consisting only of an vehicle identifying number, and a white square recognition marking.
It is generally assumed that these vehicles, and the other airfield defence flamethrowers, never saw action. However, recently released de-classified documents show this view to be false. In August 1940, concerned at the lack of success in the air campaign to defeat the RAF, the Germans hatched a daring plan, to destroy the CBAF, and starve the RAF of it's essential supply of Spitfires. Glider borne troops would land on the CBAF airfield and capture it, holding it long enough for a second wave of specialist troops, carried in Junkers Ju-52s, to land, who would then proceed to destroy the machinery, buildings, and any aircraft under construction. The date chosen for the operation was September 3rd. Unaware that the CBAF was defended by flamethrowers, the German forces were totally unprepared for the 'hot' reception that awaited them...
The raid was a failure, all the enemy glider troops were either killed or captured, the flamethrowers proving horribly effective against the wood and fabric gliders. The Ju-52s were intercepted before they reached their target. Mindful of the effect on the morale of the country, should the existence of the attempted raid on the CBAF become known, the Authorities spread the cover story that the events that occurred were just 'an exercise'.
cheers,
Robin.
