Includes one Renault FT-17 (MG) or Renault FT17 (37mm light tank.
The most innovative tank design fielded by the French was the Renault FT-17. This light tank was small and relatively mobile, and was the first tank design to house its weapon in a fully rotating turret, which would heavily influence the design of later tanks.
Check out the Renault FT-17 Tank in the online store here…
The FT-17 was a huge departure from previous designs as it was much smaller than the CA.1 and the Saint Chamond, and featured a two man crew. It also had the first rotating turret that enabled the Commander/Gunner to fire its 37mm gun or Hotchkiss machine-gun 360 degrees, allowing them to engage any target nearby. Using a car engine, these super light tanks were only able to move at 10 kph (6 mph), and were designed to be used in mass formations working with the infantry to eliminate enemy pockets of resistance. Other nations adopted the FT-17, and it became the standard tank used by the Americans during the war. By the end of the war, the French had built almost 3000 FT-17s and continued production of the tank with very little modification until the 1930’s.
Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Aaron Mathie
The Renault FT-17 (37mm) Tank
The Renault FT-17 (MG) Tank
The Renault FT-17 in Great War
Unit cards for the Renault FT-17 Tank are contained in the Great War French Unit Card pack (GFR901)…
