What is this tank?

[bandit86]

My friend wanted to know if anyone can tell the origins of this picture and tank?  Thanks for the help

[commissarmoody]

Now thats cool.

[starkadder]

I think it looks like an early Holt but I'm happy to be wrong

This claims it to be a Spaulding
http://www.nwwone.org/world-war/Rare-Photo-Best-Tracklayer-Tank-Spaulding-S-F-1917-WWI_170548531878.html

This claims it as a Best 75
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/UnitedStates/mediumtanks/MediumTanks.html

[Roebeast45]

I claim that we need a model of it.

[answer_is_42]

This claims it to be a Spaulding
http://www.nwwone.org/world-war/Rare-Photo-Best-Tracklayer-Tank-Spaulding-S-F-1917-WWI_170548531878.html

This claims it as a Best 75
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/UnitedStates/mediumtanks/MediumTanks.html

Both of your links call it the 'Best 75 Tracklayer', and if you look closely at the photo in the O.P, you can just make out 'Tracklayer C.L.B. 75' on the prow.
It does look very cool. A quick search threw up this thread:
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=63528&p=3&topicID=25688730

Apparently, it took part in an exercise with the California National Guard in 1917, but was never seriously considered for adoption by the Army, and was regarded as a bit of a joke by the troops. Can't find any information on armament, crew, etc.

[bandit86]

Thanks everyone

[starkadder]

Both of your links call it the 'Best 75 Tracklayer', and if you look closely at the photo in the O.P, you can just make out 'Tracklayer C.L.B. 75' on the prow.

My apologies Ai42. I'd picked up on the tracklayer reference and was pretty rushed with the other stuff.

In my defence, it was my birthday don't ye know. I had a snootful of claret and cough syrup (the latter not deliberate but necessary) when I did the search and response.

It amazes me when LAfers post all the great stuff they get for Christmas and birthdays. For my birthday, my beloved wife gave me a pair of socks and a packet of dried mushrooms. Mind you, she gave me permission to buy a baritone ukulele.  It was a very strange day. 
 

[aircav]

Let's hope that Tobi see's this and gets inspired 

[answer_is_42]

Let's hope that Tobi see's this and gets inspired 

My thoughts exactly! It would make a wonderful basis for a Victorian Land Ironclad...

[scarabminiatures]

Blimey, I like that and must investigate further as it would be a nice addition to the range

[Mr.Marx]

Please can somone make this? Please? Tobi!

[Alfrik]

I did a day of exstensive search on images of the Holt tank. Things I found by looking at the pictures is that the front pipes, on top, were dented from turning the turret to far and the cannons banging into them. The hull is on top of the tractor chasise with no real floor for most of the vehicle.... also there is another version Holt put out that is very boxy and nearly 30 feet tall! Overal, if I recall aright, there are about 5 different shots if you use all the various image browsers. A couple of local players had toyed with making one for our ACW2 campaign we ran but nothing came of it.

[koz10]

My first impression is that the Doughboys had raised the CSS Manassas for service in Europe. Nothing scares the Huns worse than an ACW era ironclad.

[Luthaaren Von Tegale]

Looks cool.

It would also work pretty well as an armoured rail car - swap the tracks out for a pair of 4 wheel bogies.

vT

[Mr.Marx]

Has anyone decided to model this yet?
This forum could do with a ‘Please can someone make a model of this!’ Board or at least a thread.

Mr. Marx