See inside The FIRST TANK EVER BUILT

In this episode of Tank Chats Reloaded, David Willey revisits the iconic Little Willie, the world's first tank. David delves into the historical significance of this revolutionary invention, and we also get an exclusive look inside what's left of Little Willie.

Watch David Fletchers original Tank Chat on Little Willie here:

A special thanks to Richard Harley for letting us use the Little Willie drawings for this video.

00:00 | Intro
00:29 | Early Tank Design
02:35 | Demand & Development
12:47 | Inside Little Willie
19:54 | External Features
23:08 | Little Willie's Journey to The Museum

#tankmuseum #tankchatsreloaded #davidwilley #LittleWillie

[thetankmuseum]

Hi Tank Nuts, we hope you enjoyed this video. Let us know what else you would like to see from Tank Chats Reloaded.

[davidpowell]

Excellent. Astonishing that only one was built and it survived 114 years! With a bit of work, it could be back in motion! Thank you for a fascinating insight in to British tank history.

[lyleswan]

What an excellent video. David Willeys delivery has always been spectacular, but he is as engaging and watchable as he has ever been. Fantastic script. As an engineer working in rail, the stories on the design phase sound so well researched, and utterly impressive. Long may these videos continue. Also, a few years ago now, this series was responsible for my friends and me visiting the museum from Cornwall. Cheers!

[chrisjordan]

I've taken so many photos of Little Willie over the years, for me, it has always seemed almost magical to still be able to see something that's so historically significant - wonderful to see the interior even if most of it is missing.
It did appear in the old film from 1925 that some of the damage to the front cab plate had already happened so maybe its stint as a pill-box was not entirely to blame.
Pity, it couldn't be rebuilt into running order.

[davidknight]

In the picture at 24:24 you show when talking about it being at the tank museum by mother in 1925 it already has the damage to the front. What appeared to be the production plate is clearly minutes on the bent out plate and you can see the tear in the armor in the drivers window. This means the damage could not have been during its time as a pillbox in WW2.

[PsychK]

Very interesting to see the inside of Little Willie! I would really like to see another reloaded episode of the Whippet (inlcuding the inside?)

[SteamCrane]

In Fred Crismon's tracked vehicles book, there is an experimental engineering tank with a short barreled cannon. Painted on it is "Little Peter".

[VosperCDN]

Such a detailed look at a milestone of tank development, thank you for keeping history alive like this.

[russwoodward]

This is great! Proud to be a Patreon member. Thank you.

[JessWLStuart]

I love the light in David Willie's eyes as he's viewing the inside of Little Willie for the first time!

[Tailssonicx]

The footage that starts at 12:41 is a brilliant example of just how effective the Rhomboid design was. It might looks silly now, but its capabilities to drive over such ruined ground had never been seen

[antonionunes]

I see that vehicle in 2016 and sincerely have no idea about it. Great video. Many thanks for that great tank lesson.

[alm]

"Little Willie and mother went down to the testing ground". The cutest description for tanks on a day out, I have ever heard. Is the whippet their dog? xD

[Patches-vqcd]

Im loving the new tank chats format! Cant wait for churchill and i really hope you guys do conquerer!

[KMac]

Very fascinating video. David Willey meets Little Willie.

[larryjohnson]

That was great stuff. Well worth my time to watch it. I am glad that we have at least one example still around. Thank You.

[joebloggs]

Great stuff having these more in depth chats

[sealoveable]

A great immensely interesting Tank Chat.Have a good one.

[dougstubbs]

Respect to the Giants who walked this Earth, and apon whose shoulders we now stand.

[gjohnston]

CFB Borden had a tank park that had a WW1 (1917?) Whippet parked outside in the early 80's. Our section was given the task of cleaning and preparing for display. Two engines for power were still in place, but the cab was completely bare. Pulled an engine and painted it and the Whippet . They then moved it inside the museum. A speed demon at 8mph!