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     Being assembled in Dongola is the key to British plans for the final destruction of Mahdist power in Africa -- the Land Ironclad.

     It's a four-segment land train, powered by five-cylinder 100 HP "balanced compound" petrol engines (four engines:  one per segment); it has a weight of 40 tons, and a crew of 51 men. It can reach a top speed of 6 miles per hour, and can travel 50 miles before needing fuel (each segment has a 323 gallon fuel tank, so the vehicle uses 26 gallons per mile). Length is nearly 100 feet, and the width is just under 20 feet across the fenders which protect the undercarriage and the 10-foot-diameter wheels.

     A small armored cupola is available for the commander or a lookout to use when observing the surroundings. It has a driving position at each end -- the crew of 51 includes 34 gunners, 4 segment non-coms, 4 artificers, 4 drivers (2 are reliefs), 1 signalman, 1 medic, 2 junior officers (one at each end), and the commanding officer. In most combat actions, half of the gunners will be acting as loaders for the guns in action.

     Armament is comprised of 34 Maxim guns, with each segment carrying 10,000 rounds of ammunition, 8 tripods for dismounted use and 8 spare barrels. Each segment also has a 120 gallon fresh water tank for drinking and cooling guns.

     The armor will at least repel any rifle or machine-gun bullets.

     The cost has not been disclosed, but is at least tens of thousands of pounds sterling.