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WW1 Armour, Artillery, Vehicles, Ships => WW1 Armour, Artillery, Vehicles, dioramas, associated figures and Ships => Topic started by: Trackpad on February 23, 2017, 03:43:18 AM

Title: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on February 23, 2017, 03:43:18 AM
This is the Meng 1/35th scale Renault FT-17, modified to show an American M1917 Light Tank built under license in the US. There are several modifications applied by the Americans, the key ones being: a different engine which required the muffler/exhaust to be mounted on the left side of the hull; the change to the mechanism that adjusted the position of the large, forward-mounted idler wheel; and the hull modification either side of the driver's compartment. Others include relocating vision slits, changes to suspension wheels, some hull fittings, and minor hull mods.

None of the M1917's arrived in Europe before the end of the war. The Americans used them until 1935, when they were put into storage. Canada purchased
236 in early WW2 to train new recruits in driving, maintenance and some crew commanding. One of these vehicles is the subject of this build.

Be on guard with this kit. It builds up into a very nice model, but you must be very careful to use exactly the right part in exactly the right place. Some of the parts look to be interchangeable, but they are not. The instructions are in exploded view, and the fitting of a few parts correctly can only be discovered by looking closely at the parts diagram to determine just how the part actually fits. In one case, it is only the position of a single small vertical reinforcement structure in the drawing that gives the correct positioning of the part. Optivisors do come in handy!

So here she is, an American M1917 Light Tank in the service of the Canadian Armoured Corps (becoming "Royal" after the war) at the Corps training facility at Camp Borden in 1941. The model will be donated to my Regimental Museum this spring.

(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y411/gbarling/DSC_0020%204_zpsimvkikai.jpg)

(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y411/gbarling/DSC_0023_zpsatxnujag.jpg)

(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y411/gbarling/DSC_0022_zpsoujyl1yo.jpg)

(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y411/gbarling/DSC_0021_zpsi6udl3id.jpg)

Thanks for visiting!  8)
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: lcarroll on February 23, 2017, 04:26:01 AM
Well done Gary, she's a real beauty. For the Forum Members I was pleased to follow this Build through PM's from Gary and the modifications are considerable and not of the "garden variety", he's done a splendid job on this Build. It goes without saying that the Hussar's Museum should be very pleased with this donation, and not the first from Gary's bench as well.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Juan on February 23, 2017, 04:53:57 AM
Beautiful replica, I am sure your Regimental Museum will cherish your efforts.
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Des on February 23, 2017, 05:43:04 AM
Extremely well done Gary, I am so pleased that you posted it here and thanks for the tips on building this model, I have two of these in my stash.

Des.
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on February 23, 2017, 06:20:33 AM
Thanks, Lance, Juan and Des,

Des, if you're going to do a straight French FT-17 then there should be no problem apart from dialing up the vigilance aspect. I went into the build with all of my well-developed assumptions, only to fall prey to the suspension minefield!

As to the "rivet" story: slight amendment, already made. If you take out the instruction booklet and go to page 12, step 10, lower right hand diagram. You'll see part C5 to be mounted just in front of the sprocket. Look closely at the outside surface of C5 and you'll see a vertical reinforcement bar cast into the structure. That is the key as to how to attach C5 because the reinforcement bar is slightly to the rear of centre of the outside vertical half of the part. It's easy to see how the unwary (including me, but I caught it in time) might attach it backwards and only when the joint is dry realize that he has a bit of plastic surgery to do. For this build I'd fall back on the old saying, "Make haste, slowly!"   8)
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: RAGIII on February 24, 2017, 11:48:18 PM
Awesome work Gary! Thanks for the info on the History of this one. I never knew that the FT17 was still serving in 1941 in any capacity! Beautifully painted and the light weathering is terrific!
RAGIII
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: coyotemagic on February 25, 2017, 03:16:59 AM
Extraordinary work on this beauty, Gary!  Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from an old tanker.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: dr 1 ace on February 25, 2017, 03:40:32 AM
Gotta agree with all the above !!!


Ed
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on February 25, 2017, 08:02:45 AM
Awesome work Gary! Thanks for the info on the History of this one. I never knew that the FT17 was still serving in 1941 in any capacity! Beautifully painted and the light weathering is terrific!
RAGIII

Hi, RAGIII! Well, it wasn't supposed to do anything beyond 1935 except fade into oblivion, but it certainly helped us out at a time when we needed a bunch of trainer vehicles. We used them until 1943, when newer types became available for training.
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on February 25, 2017, 08:05:01 AM
Extraordinary work on this beauty, Gary!  Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from an old tanker.
Cheers,
Bud

Hi, Bud!

Hey, what's this about an "old tanker?" I'm not old, just...umm...more experienced, is all...!  ;D
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on February 25, 2017, 08:07:22 AM
Gotta agree with all the above !!!
Ed

Thanks very much, Ed, and thanks for visiting!  8)
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on February 25, 2017, 08:12:09 AM
Well done Gary, she's a real beauty. For the Forum Members I was pleased to follow this Build through PM's from Gary and the modifications are considerable and not of the "garden variety", he's done a splendid job on this Build. It goes without saying that the Hussar's Museum should be very pleased with this donation, and not the first from Gary's bench as well.
Cheers,
Lance

"Aw, shucks, boss, 'tweren't nuthin'!" Thanks, Lance!  :)
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Chris Johnson on February 26, 2017, 03:03:44 AM
She really is a 'looker' Gary! You've done a magnificent job with this conversion and as we both know, you more than me with this under your belt, it's not an easy one to tackle. My eye is naturally drawn to the modifications to the hull area around the driver's station and to the suspension, and in both cases, they came out looking superb. Well done!

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: 53ryder on February 26, 2017, 04:28:22 AM
Love it! Nice conversion!


Glenn
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: JamesAPrattIII on March 02, 2017, 05:15:10 AM
A few FT-17s saw combat in 1945 they were with the French army in Vietnam. when the Japanese took over the country.

I believe the germans used some captured ones for training and the turrets for bunkers.

I think some other countries in S America still had them during WW II
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: Trackpad on March 02, 2017, 05:47:58 AM
She really is a 'looker' Gary! You've done a magnificent job with this conversion and as we both know, you more than me with this under your belt, it's not an easy one to tackle. My eye is naturally drawn to the modifications to the hull area around the driver's station and to the suspension, and in both cases, they came out looking superb. Well done!

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks, Chris. Hope this will help you a bit when comes time for you to do your build. Feel free to go the PM route if you think I can assist.  :)
Title: Re: American M1917 Light Tank in Canadian Service, 1941
Post by: cduckworth on March 14, 2017, 12:02:50 AM
Very nice conversion.  There's a French FT-17 in the WW1 museum in Kansas City on display.  Tank is original and I believe has some battle damage.

Comments about the FT-17s in WW2, French had them in North Africa and I thought to some were still in service and used by the French in WW2 since they made so many of them.