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No, this isn't a Renault FT, not a purebred one anyway. This is in fact an American M1917 light tank, which is basically a licensed copy of the FT. Around 20 or so of these old boys remain today.
Development of the M1917 more or less went like this: with the US entering into the Great War with the Entente, the army would wind up needing tanks. At first there was the joint British-American heavy tank project (which would eventually lead to the Liberty Tank), however since the Americans didn't have any tanks, one of the decisions made was to take the FT and produce it en masse in American factories. There were some problems with this plan: the French designs used the metric system (which at the time was even more foreign to Americans that it is today), there wasn't a lot of coordination between any of the involved parties, and in general there was a lot of bullshit happening which delayed production. By the time things were smoothed out the war was practically over.
That said, while the M1917 didn't get to see service in the war itself, the Army did get some mileage out of these tanks by sending them over to various riots where their presence could deter any mobs from getting any more restless. Otherwise, they mostly stayed in service uneventfully until finally being sold off to Canada at scrap value, where by that point they were used for training purposes until better equipment came.
Regarding what distinctions can be made between an M1917 and an FT, look for the following:
- The exhaust placement is on the left as opposed to the right hand side.
- The gun mantlet on the M1917 is markedly different from an FT's.
- Idler and Sprocket wheels are solid instead of spoked.
- Additional vision slits for the driver.
Furthermore, all M1917's have polygonal turrets; you're not going to see one with a rounded turret.
Additionally, the engine and armaments used on the M1917 are different from the FT, though that goes without saying.
That was a lot of writing, but hopefully you found it enlightening nonetheless. This is definitely something worth taking a look at, even if it's in all likelihood a replica.
Development of the M1917 more or less went like this: with the US entering into the Great War with the Entente, the army would wind up needing tanks. At first there was the joint British-American heavy tank project (which would eventually lead to the Liberty Tank), however since the Americans didn't have any tanks, one of the decisions made was to take the FT and produce it en masse in American factories. There were some problems with this plan: the French designs used the metric system (which at the time was even more foreign to Americans that it is today), there wasn't a lot of coordination between any of the involved parties, and in general there was a lot of bullshit happening which delayed production. By the time things were smoothed out the war was practically over.
That said, while the M1917 didn't get to see service in the war itself, the Army did get some mileage out of these tanks by sending them over to various riots where their presence could deter any mobs from getting any more restless. Otherwise, they mostly stayed in service uneventfully until finally being sold off to Canada at scrap value, where by that point they were used for training purposes until better equipment came.
Regarding what distinctions can be made between an M1917 and an FT, look for the following:
- The exhaust placement is on the left as opposed to the right hand side.
- The gun mantlet on the M1917 is markedly different from an FT's.
- Idler and Sprocket wheels are solid instead of spoked.
- Additional vision slits for the driver.
Furthermore, all M1917's have polygonal turrets; you're not going to see one with a rounded turret.
Additionally, the engine and armaments used on the M1917 are different from the FT, though that goes without saying.
That was a lot of writing, but hopefully you found it enlightening nonetheless. This is definitely something worth taking a look at, even if it's in all likelihood a replica.
Category Photography / Miscellaneous
Species Land Vehicle
Size 2048 x 1536px
File Size 618.2 kB
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