The French Renault FT was one of the most important armored vehicles of World War I and is widely regarded as the first “modern” tank. Introduced in 1917, the FT established a layout that would become the standard for tanks worldwide: a fully rotating turret on top, the engine mounted in the rear, and the driver positioned at the front. This configuration remains the basic tank design more than a century later.
Unlike the large, cumbersome heavy tanks that preceded it, the Renault FT was small, relatively simple, and could be produced in large numbers. Over 3,000 were built by the end of the war, serving with French forces and later with the armies of many other nations. The FT saw extensive combat in 1918, where its mobility and flexibility proved far more effective in supporting infantry than earlier heavy designs. Its influence extended well beyond WWI, with some examples still in service into the early years of World War II.
This model represents the Renault FT in 1/35 scale, built from the Meng kit as a straightforward, out-of-the-box assembly. The finish reflects the distinctive multi-color camouflage used by French tanks during the later stages of the Great War. While modest in size, both the real vehicle and this model represent a major turning point in military history—the moment when the tank evolved from experimental curiosity into a practical and enduring weapon of war.
Awesome work with the color patterns!
ReplyDelete