Mark Spencer of Mark-1-Tank had an enquiry from Channel 5 to
involve some of the Tanks in a program they wanted to make. When he realised
that he needed three extra drivers at short notice he asked us if we would like
to go along and needless to say we did! We thought it was going to be a lot of
standing around twiddling our thumbs but in actual fact it was quite fun in the
end. It was interesting to see how a professional film crew make a TV program
and funny to experience the bloopers first hand! In between times we drove the
new 1/6th JagdPanther and the 1/6th T-34 from Mark-1-Tank and got absolutely
plastered in mud as usual. The program is called 'Danger 50,000 Volts' and is
due to be shown at the end of May 2003.
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Here we see the presenter Nick Frost talking to the camera. The models will form just a part of the whole program. |
"Can you just do that again please?" In this shot Nick was supposed to finish talking just as Mark swung the turret round to his eye level. Easier said than done! |
Peter supplied an MG42 for some publicity shots. |
And yes yours truly has to get in on the act! I'm a big lad but I wouldn't want to lug one of these around all day. |
The finale will be a scene whereby the tanks will assault a fortified position. The first will fall into this ditch. |
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And here Nick explains to the camera just what will happen. |
Of the other three, one was to be knocked out by Ritz Crackers Mines, one was to be disabled by the tank traps and the third would make it through. |
Nick eats the Ritz Crackers, er mines whilst standing by the 88ml anti tank gun! That was one of the bloopers which raised a giggle! |
A Tiger brings a stick for Nick to throw! It was all done very light heartedly. |
In this scene Nick hustles the models along whilst talking tot he camera. |
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In between times Mark posed his King Tiger and some figures next to Peter Shaw's excellent ruined buildings. |
The JagdPanther noses into view. These buildings although made form wood are very heavy and a struggle to get into position. |
A close up of Marks King Tiger commander. I often wonder what WW2 German tank crew would make of the modern worlds fascination with the tanks. |
A drive by of some of Germany's finest. This was also captured on video for a forthcoming Johnny Holland Production! |
Following the JagdTiger we have the new JagdPanther. |
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Here in a closer view is the new 1/6th JagdPanther. It looks like Humpy's already been busy through the mud! |
The next three pictures were taken in the early spring sun showing off the colour scheme and the mud quite nicely. |
It's interesting to compare with the 1/8th scale models. It dwarfs them! |
This model comes without the armour skirts which the 1/8th scale comes as standard. I think they look better without. |
And here we see the new 1/6th T-34. Just look at the rough casting of the turret! |
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Mark has fitted two smoke generators in this model, hence the smoke screen out the back. |
Mark demonstrates the models hill climbing ability. I don't know whether the tracks are different or it's because of the extra weight but it did seem to grip better than the 1/8th T-34. |
As with all of the 1/6th models it is very stable at speed. It tends to munch through everything just as the real one would. |
In typical Eastern Front conditions the T-34 makes its way through the slime. |
An excellent picture of the T-34 at speed. I love the sag of the tracks between the road wheels, very prototypical. |
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Now at rest you can see the different pattern wheels from the 1/8th model, a nice touch. |
Another speedy picture, this time from a German Grenadiers viewpoint! Just look at the liquid mud being ejected from the 'sprocket'. |
