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.
Thanks for visiting!