My latest model for the Fabulouth Armee is a new tank for the Curassiers, or Heavy Cavalry regiments.  I'm going with a Vickers Independant.  I hollowed out a 3d print, and I've made up a mold, so when I get some metal (hopefully by spring) I can cast a bunch up next summer.  at least ONE regiment.  Model kits are not common, and the one Resin garage kit I could find was nearly a hundred dollars.  I then spent hours searching my usual suspects for a paper model version and had no luck, but I found a 3d stl file.  Where there's an .stl file, there's someone who will print it....

Vickers built the A1E1 "Independant" tank in 1925, it used a new V-12 Armstrong-Sidley Engine, mounted a 47mm gun and 4 Vickers machine guns each in it's own turret.  It was very heavy for it's time, and required special hydrolic brakes to be designed for it.  It was the first tank with an internal intercom system.  It was in fact, kind of a mess and honestly considered a failure, despite it's impressive looks.  It was far too long for it's width making turning the machine nearly impossible for the poor driver who was issued a mallet to help pound the levers for the gears.  Despite the V-12 it was underpowered for it's 33 tons, barely pulling 20 mph flat out on good ground.  The turret was hand powered so the tank commander had to heave it around by brute strength, I think later it was fitted with an electric motor, but even that wasn't very quick.  the main gun wasn't too bad for it's day, a 3 pound Quick Firing cannon, throwing a 47mm shell.  the rate of fire was very good for it's time, and that's probably the best part of the tank.  It was stiflingly hot on warm days, making  for severe crew fatigue.  and the armor protection was pretty weak, honestly a bit of a coffin for it's 8 man crew; anything more than small arms would be able to penetrate it, and the riveted construction meant that hits by weapons as weak as the Boys Tank Rifle could spring the rivets making an extra dose of shrapnel for the crew.  Still, it was an important waystation on the way to developing effective armored vehicles.  It looks cool, and is honestly one of my favorites. and the clearly Interwar era styling makes it perfect for the Fabulouth Armee.