Tanker's Tuesday: The Carden-Lloyd Mk.VI tankette

Origins: The Carden-Lloyd Mk.VI tankette

The early Carden-Lloyd tankettes from 1933 were the very basis for the Universal Carrier. Originally, these machines were invented by Major Giffard LeQuesne Martel, whom developed a prototype privately, for potential requests from the Royal Army Corp. He was a military engineer and a daring tank strategist. After his demonstration to the War Office, Carden Lloyd Tractors Ltd. company was requested to study practical production. They introduced a slightly enlarged vehicle for two men. Success with the prototype guaranteed a first order, with Vickers-Armstrong's business network as a backup for exports. The last production version was the Mk.VI, of which up to 450 were built in all, from 1927 to 1935. The Mk.VI was the blueprint for the Universal Carrier. A hundred or more were sold abroad

http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/gb/universal_carrier.php

Now a sad confession, after more than 35 years of modeling
and collecting I have NEVER owned one of these in any
scale. I'm happy to report that after two resent purchases
that situation has been remedied!