Brickmania Blog

About the “Black Bess” – Mark IV Heavy Tank

The Black Bess was a Mark IV Female that served at the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The fate of the tank is largely unknown — it was either destroyed or captured by the Germans. There are only 2–3 known photos of the tank, but its service is noted in history books detailing the battle (and in one particularly popular video game, which erroneously featured the Black Bess as a male variant of the Mark IV).

The British Mark IV is often considered the world’s first main battle tank in regards to its production. Roughly 1,200 examples of the 30-ton tank were produced during the war. The Mark IV came in two variants, mostly based on the kind of weapons installed on the tank. The “female” tank came fitted with air-cooled Lewis machine guns and smaller side sponsons. The “male” version had larger sponsons to accommodate British 6-pounder guns that replaced some of the machine guns on the female variant. Other major differences include the entry hatches on either tank — female Mark IV tank crews had to enter underneath the sponsons, where male Mark IV tank crews entered through the rear of the tank.

Realizing the potential of massed armor, British commanders deployed 500 tanks at the Battle of Cambrai along the Hindenburg Line as a shock weapon designed to overwhelm German troops. Although the tanks had success breaking through German trenches at several locations, the German counteroffensive eventually pushed the British back towards their original lines. Historical accounts credit this battle as the first time tanks were used en masse.

Specifications:

• Crew: 8
• Engine: Daimler/Knight sleeve valve, water-cooled
• Speed: 3.69 mph (5.95 km/h)
• Range: 35 mi (56 km)
• Trench-crossing capability: 11 ft 5 in (3.5 m)
• Armament: 5x Lewis machine guns

Additional information about this Brickmania custom building kit:

“Black Bess” – Mark IV Heavy Tank kit comes with the following features

• Historically-accurate Mark IV Female heavy tank
• Detailed interior including seats for driver/gunner, engine and transmission cover, and rotating starter crank
• One complete Lewis gun V2 and 4x Lewis Gun Barrels V2 from BrickArms
• High-quality sticker sheet with “Black Bess” insignia
• Room inside for crew
• 1/35th scale to match other Brickmania kits

Also available: Mark IV – “Male” Conversion Pack

Click here to pick up your own “Black Bess” – Mark IV Heavy Tank custom kit today!

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All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks. This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited-edition kit and production may be discontinued at any time.