Renault FT-17 – the French light tank

1916 the famous French colonel Jean Baptiste Eugène Estienne, then in charge of the artillery regiment, admired the modern armament, arriving at Luis Renault to persuade him to make a tank out of a “Holt” tractor, the latter armed and armored. Renault refused to take on the colonel’s idea, but agreed to design the tank. Luis Renault outlined to his subordinates the parameters of the new product: no more than 7 tons of weight, the ability to overcome the trench, the engine must not lose power for as long, as possible. In France, more than 3,000 FT light tanks of various modifications were produced at the “Renault” plant near Paris. Another 950 tanks were manufactured in the United States under French license, who named M1917. A total of 1000 units were produced machine gun tanks, 1850 pcs. tanks with cannons, 970 pcs. with built-in howitzer, about 200 pcs. TSF tanks with radio equipment. In August 1923, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense purchased in France 12 tanks of this type for the armament of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Unlike all others, they were equipped with 7.72 mm “Maxim” 0.8 machine guns. The tanks were divided into three companies and all had names. They all received the occupation of Lithuania, although there were still 10 suitable for use.

A moderately sophisticated model, that requires meticulousness and care for any experience modeler. Only inexperienced and beginners are recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. From the publication, you can make a model of a French World War I tank in a beautiful tricolor camouflage.