Vickers Medium Mk.I (NSV Mod.1928)

The Vickers 6-Ton Tank was a British-designed and manufactured tank, which was purchased by the newly formed Quisling government of Norway in December 1928 for use in the "Kampvogn" Project. The goal of this project was to develop a tank that would be suitable for the rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions of Norway.
=== Initial Issues ===
Upon arrival, the tank was in several parts and its main armaments had been removed. Mechanics at Forsvarsverkene, the Norwegian defense factory, quickly set to work rebuilding and documenting the tank to working condition. Despite their efforts, several issues were immediately apparent with the tank.
=== Trials and Tribulations ===
When trials and testing began, the few good points of the tank were quickly overshadowed by its massive reliability issues. The engine, which had been built with leftover parts, kept breaking down. The suspension was also clearly unsuited for the rough and uneven terrain of Norway, causing the tank to struggle on steep inclines and rocky terrain. The tank's relative heavy weight was also a problem, as it was too much for the small bridges in rural parts of Norway.
=== The Landskip m/1929 ===
Despite these issues, Quisling insisted that a refined Norwegian tank be produced from this test. The result of this was the Landskip m/1929, a lighter and wider tracked tank that was better suited for Norwegian terrain.
=== Fate and German Use ===
After the tests, the Vickers 6-Ton Tank would remain in storage by Fornebu Airport. It would be used from time to time for demonstrations in tank vs infantry combat. In 1935, it was given a new engine so that it could be used in training.
However, when the German army occupied Norway during World War II, the Vickers 6-Ton Tank was left behind in a less than desirable state. The Germans, needing all the firepower they could get, captured the tank and painted it in their Beutepanzer scheme.
The tank was stationed in Eidsvoll when the Norwegians attacked to retake it. In the battle, the tank was used in a defensive role, accompanied by one of the German Neubaufahrzeug medium tanks. In the end, the Germans had to retreat, and the Vickers 6-Ton Tank had sustained multiple direct hits from a Norwegian Panservogn m/39, rendering it unable to fire.
Today, the Vickers 6-Ton Tank remains at the site as a reminder and memorial for all lives lost during the battle of Eidsvoll and as a reminder of the difficulties that were faced during the development of tanks suitable for Norwegian terrain during the interwar period.
== Variants ==