Light Tank Mk VIB
1st Royal Tank Regiment

This model should represent the tank belonging to 1st RTR, as photographed on 2 August 1940. It is still wearing the markings from the time before reorganization when 1st RTR was part of the Heavy Armoured Brigade. However, at this point, 1st RTR was already a part of the 7th Armoured Brigade. The photo was taken during one of the initial raids against the Italians.

Following initial skirmishes, 1st RTR participated in Operation Compass as a part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, and it was one of the units that were engaged in the chase across the desert to cut off the retreating Italians. It participated in the battle of Beda Fomm, suffering only light casualties.

I don't know what exactly happened to this tank and its crew afterwards, but it probably ended up in Tobruk during the siege. When Rommel joined NA theatre with Afrika Corps, 'B' and 'C' Squadrons of 1st RTR were moved to Tobruk. They were there during the whole siege as a part of the 32nd Army Tank Brigade. The regiment broke out of Tobruk with the rest of the 32nd Army Tank Brigade and 70th Infantry Division, in November 1941 during the Operation Crusader battles.

It was until mid-February 1942 that 1st RTR used their old and worn Vickers Lights and Cruiser tanks that they had from the beginning of the campaign. They were replaced in February with Honey and Grant Tanks, when 1st RTR joined the 1st Armoured Brigade.

You may notice that this is not the standard Caunter camouflage. The scheme itself is a standard Caunter scheme for Vickers LT, but the paints are not. Instead of the Portland Stone / Slate / Silver Grey combo that became standard, later on, these tanks were painted in a higher contrast combination during Caunter scheme trials. It is not known which paints were used exactly, but the suggestion I got from Mike Starmer is that it was Portland Stone, Green (for example No. 20 Olive Green) and very dark grey, almost black. This combination was not accepted because the contrast was too high.