French FT-17 Light Tank (Cast Turret)

In the early days of its use, the French FT-17 light tank was equipped with a riveted turret, which had some disadvantages, such as a complex manufacturing process, poor bulletproof properties and lack of full rotation.
Later, a new cast turret with riveted and welded construction was developed by Forges et aciéries Paul Girod.
The new turret, manufactured using a simplified process, could achieve full rotation and helped improve the overall performance of the tank.
The FT-17 with a cast turret had a two-man crew.
It was armed with an 8 mm Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun or a 37 mm Puteaux SA18 rifle.
The French Army's FT-17s were upgraded with a 7.5 mm Reibel-MAC-Mle.31 machine gun from 1931 onwards. These tanks were also used in World War II.
Over 4100 FT-17s were built in France and deployed in many countries around the world (27 countries confirmed).
Strictly speaking, the FT-17 was the world's first real tank.
It played a crucial role in the history of tank development.

Plastic model kit for building a French FT-17
 

• with interior
• over 400 parts
• metal and photo-etched parts included
• detailed engine and open engine compartment, as well as interior and turret innards can be built
• workable single-link track

Scale 1:35

unbuilt / unpainted

paint and glue not included