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Started By
Message
Vader’s Model Desk: Renault FT-17 Light Tank
Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:10 pm
Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:10 pm
quote:
The Renault FT (frequently referred to in post-World War I literature as the FT-17, FT17, or similar) is a French light tank that was among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. The FT was the first production tank to have its armament within a fully rotating turret.[note 1] The Renault FT's configuration (crew compartment at the front, engine compartment at the back, and main armament in a revolving turret) became and remains the standard tank layout. Consequently, some armoured warfare historians have called the Renault FT the world's first modern tank.
LINK
Meng 1:35 scale Renault FT-17 Light Tank
US Army 334th Tank Bn. 304th Tank Brigade
Verdun, France
October, 1918
More on the US Army Tank Corps here
Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:14 pm to Darth_Vader
Aww…it’s so cute! Haha.
Nice work, Darth!
Nice work, Darth!
Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:23 pm to Sasquatch Smash
quote:
Aww…it’s so cute! Haha.
It really was a tiny tank. Only had a two man crew.

Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:24 pm to DownSouthJukin
quote:
Patton?
Yep. He commanded tanks in WWI.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:26 pm to DownSouthJukin
quote:
Patton?
Sure looks like GSP!
Posted on 1/25/26 at 6:54 pm to RichJ
quote:
Sure looks like GSP!
That’s because that is indeed Patton. He was a Lt. Col. in the picture I posted in my OP. He arrived in Europe May 1917 as a Captain of Cavalry but was later posted to the newly formed US Army Tank Corps in November 1917. He established and ran the first training school for American tankers, even though they didn’t have any actual tanks until March 1918. By August 1918, his men were ready to go to the front. They were initially called the U.S. 1st Provisional Tank Brigade, but redesigned the 304th Tank Brigade. They saw extensive action at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 7:02 pm to Darth_Vader
Thanks for the info. Your models & diorama’s are incredible, and your knowledge of what you build is absolutely resplendent!
Posted on 1/25/26 at 7:06 pm to RichJ
quote:
Thanks for the info. Your models & diorama’s are incredible, and your knowledge of what you build is absolutely resplendent!
Thanks. This is actually my first time to build a WWI era vehicle. Which, there aren’t many options available
Posted on 1/25/26 at 7:11 pm to Darth_Vader
A big reason I enjoyed visiting the Armor Museum (at Ft. Knox when I went), was to look at early tank designs. There was a Renault there at the time that had wooden spokes like an old wagon wheel. I say it was a Renault, but it might have been some other French design.
Also liked the variation of tanks. There was a WWII Japanese tank that was about the size of a VW Beetle.
Also liked the variation of tanks. There was a WWII Japanese tank that was about the size of a VW Beetle.
This post was edited on 1/25/26 at 7:13 pm
Posted on 1/25/26 at 7:25 pm to Darth_Vader
Nice build.
What a bitch to actually man that tank. There appears to be no room for an ice chest and/or a stereo boom box.
What a bitch to actually man that tank. There appears to be no room for an ice chest and/or a stereo boom box.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 7:30 pm to TheHarahanian
quote:
A big reason I enjoyed visiting the Armor Museum (at Ft. Knox when I went), was to look at early tank designs. There was a Renault there at the time that had wooden
I loved going to the Patton Museum when I was stationed at Fort Knox. Now most of the collection is at Fort Benning. They hold an open house every so often that’s open to the public.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 7:31 pm to Darth_Vader
quote:
Yep. He commanded tanks in WWI.
Just making sure it was who I thought it was.
This post was edited on 1/25/26 at 7:33 pm
Posted on 1/25/26 at 9:07 pm to Darth_Vader
Did Patton ever break character?
Posted on 1/25/26 at 9:35 pm to HeadSlash
quote:
Did Patton ever break character?
Doubt it. Say what you will of him. He had a brilliant military mind and was one of the most interesting men of his age.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 9:58 pm to Darth_Vader
Still a couple running ones out there in museums.
Posted on 1/26/26 at 7:35 am to TrueTiger
quote:
Still a couple running ones out there in museums.
I was surprised to discover the FT17 was still in use during WWII. France still had several tank battalions equipped with them when Germany invaded in May 1940. The Germans captured over 1,700 and put them to use, mostly in anti-partisan and airfield defense roles.

Posted on 1/26/26 at 8:14 am to Darth_Vader
Excellent work as usual! Love the paint! What paints did you use?
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