The Skeleton Tank was an experimental prototype tank built by the Pioneer Tractor Company, Winona, Minnesota for $15,000 ($ 244,000 in 2018) Only one prototype was ever made
It was a very clever idea, which was to combine the trench and barbed wire crossing ability of the British mkV tanks with the lightweight easy to drive french FT-17. So you have the big rhomboid shaped track attached to a small two man cabin. It was also designed to be broken down like scaffolding to be shipped and re assembled near the battlefield.
Wow, I hadn't read any of that, and I'm now wondering why they didn't get a contract, it seems like a pretty good way to get soldiers across some hostile territory! Especially if they hooked up a trailer with supplies!
Whenever I see this tank i can't help but wonder how many times a German tank would have shot through it and missed.
ReplyDeletegood point!
DeleteIt was a very clever idea, which was to combine the trench and barbed wire crossing ability of the British mkV tanks with the lightweight easy to drive french FT-17. So you have the big rhomboid shaped track attached to a small two man cabin. It was also designed to be broken down like scaffolding to be shipped and re assembled near the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteWow, I hadn't read any of that, and I'm now wondering why they didn't get a contract, it seems like a pretty good way to get soldiers across some hostile territory! Especially if they hooked up a trailer with supplies!
DeleteThe war ended in November of 1918 so there was no need for it. It's impressive how quickly they went from concept to a working prototype.
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