a snout-like appearance – was used as the basis of two conversions: one of the first three built was used as an armoured ambulance, while another was rebuilt as an amphibious tank by the staff of the test base at Dollis Hill. "The Duck" Amphibious Conversion Already a bulky vehicle — the probable reason the Mark IX was selected as the basis for an amphibious tank — its displacement was improved by fitting drums at the front and sides. Long wooden boards were attached to the track links but at one side of the board only; as they reached the curve of the track they would project, acting as paddles. Pictures were made of a floating tank in Hendon Reservoir on 11 November 1918, the day of the Armistice. According to oral tradition, this vehicle was named The Duck but there are doubts as to its veracity. The photographs show that a large rectangular superstructure had been placed around the cab and from this superstructure pipes projected upwards, likely the outlets of bilge pumps. The vehicle was for the occasion manned by Navy personnel. The last surviving Mark IX now resides at The Tank Museum, Bovington. Gallery Notes References TANK: A History of the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Kenneth Macksey and John H Batchelor (1970) Page 46 TANK Facts and Feats: A Guinness Superlatives Book Kennith Macksey 3rd Edition (1980) Page 61 Armoured Fighting Vehicles of World Wars I and II by Jack Livesey, Anness Publishing Ltd Page 121 Tank Mark IX No. 936 (E1949.364) tankmuseum.org World War I tanks of the United Kingdom Military vehicles introduced in the 1910s Armoured personnel carriers of the United Kingdom