Artist's commentary
This is the Vickers Mk.II tank. I drew this tank in an episode of the “Moeyo! Sensha Gakko 7” (Moe! Tank School 7). In the episode, I took up the story of the British tank development in interwar, centered around Col. J.F.C. Fuller, the “father of the tank doctrine” and his supporters who created the Vickers Mk.I. The Mk.II is an improvement upon the Mk.I.
To be honest, I was asked by the editor from Wargaming to “Draw a favorite tank from the game,” but my favorite tanks were either omitted or were already taken by another artist. It was lucky I found this tank.
Interestingly this tank has the engine in the front left, and because of that a hatch is placed on the rear. It kind of reminds me of the Israeli Merkava, an exciting little tank.
After World War I, this tank was born while military experts around the world were still making guesses at the future of the tank. And the interesting thing about the history surrounding this tank is how the British scrap their logical progress due to political bickering, leading to the difficulties in the initial stages of fighting in World War II. It is not a favorite tank, but I grew quite fond of it while drawing it in my comic.
Since this is an interwar tank, I drew this tank surrounded by little girls during an exercise. To the girls, this large metal monster is just another playground toy. And I think, this maybe a happier life for the tank as well.