Renault FT-17 Light Tank

**bob martin** · #1 01-28-2011, 01:20 PM

Shoulder still giving me a fit but, finally got something built!!! Renault FT-17 light tank.

In July 1916, after much hesitation, the French motor car manufacturer Louis Renault yeilded to General Estienne's pressing demands and it was not long before the first Renault Light Tank was put to the test of battle.

**Don Boose** · #2 01-28-2011, 01:40 PM

Very nice job on this FT, Bob!

I look forward to seeing the British Mark IV.

Don

**jagolden01** · #3 01-28-2011, 02:49 PM

Great job, Bob. As with Don, I hope to see the Mk IV build. Please do it with progress photos if possible. I'ddd like to do it myself at 1?16 to match the A7V I have, but don't see free time coming to do so.

**Paperwarrior** · #4 01-28-2011, 07:44 PM

Excellent build! very impressive.

**CharlieC** · #5 01-28-2011, 10:16 PM

Is that the FG model?

The history is a bit muddled - the Renault FT was proposed by Renault as a private project and vigorously promoted by Gen. Estienne after he was shown the initial designs by the Renault team. There was a lot of infighting between proponents of the light Renault tank and the super heavy FCM tank. As it turned out Estienne and Renault were correct - the light tank was exactly what was needed on the WW1 battlefields. The second part of the French armoured assault doctrine - SP guns with heavy (194mm and 220mm) guns didn't quite make it into service before the Armistice.

Regards,

Charlie

**bob martin** · #6 01-29-2011, 04:16 AM

Hey CharlieC,
Yes that is the FG Model. And, Thank you for the History.

**B-Manic** · #7 01-29-2011, 11:35 AM

Great build Bob. That's what I call a tank with character.

Zathros · #8 01-29-2011, 12:23 PM

Very nice model and build. There is a working tank like exactly this at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome, in Rhinebeck New York. They run it every year and it is part of the barnstorming show they put on. A great show family friendly that runs during the weekends from the early Summer on into the early Fall. Plan to spend the day there, it's easy to do! They also have the oldest flying plane in America there, a Bleriot.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome | America's Original Living Museum of Antique Airplanes! - Welcome!

**ct ertz** · #9 02-06-2011, 12:27 AM

I have this gem and hope to have time to build it one of these days. Great build!
CT