– how tanks almost looked
Model forms part of The Tank Museum’s new exhibition
Amodel tank that was built in World War One for experts to paint with new camouflage designs is to go on display at The Tank Museum in Dorset. The military wanted to help protect its soldiers and felt it would benefit them if tanks were harder for the enemy to see, so various designs were considered. The model forms part of the museum’s new exhibition, which opened on April 1, called ‘Tanks for the memories: The Tank in popular culture’. Canadian colour-theorist Percyval Tudor-Hart was teaching in London at the outbreak of the war and offered his services to Britain. He felt his talents could be used “in the realm of scientific camouflage, based on reflection, absorption and refraction of light”. Ultimately, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu set him up in a workshop on his Hampshire estate and, together with some of his former students, he began experimenting.
He was given this model tank to paint in order to demonstrate the effect of his colour scheme. Despite his skills, none of his designs would be used, with the Army, Royal Navy and Air Force rejecting his efforts. A design of his for sniper camouflage did pass muster, but an…
