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Armor/AFV: Early Armor
WWI and other early tanks and armored cars.
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FT-17 used by US
cmreds
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Posted: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 08:58 PM UTC
So I got the itch to buy the FT-17 from Meng and make it into one of the tanks from the US 326th or 327th tank battalions by using the decals from decalcomaniacs.

My question is - Does anyone know if the US used the riveted and/or cast turrets during WWI?

Meng offers both options separately and theres a considerable cost difference if you don't want the diorama base.

Thanks,
Chris
Frenchy
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Posted: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 09:41 PM UTC
It looks like they used both :



(provided the pictured tanks are indeed US ones...)

H.P.
pseudorealityx
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Posted: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 09:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

So I got the itch to buy the FT-17 from Meng and make it into one of the tanks from the US 326th or 327th tank battalions by using the decals from decalcomaniacs.

My question is - Does anyone know if the US used the riveted and/or cast turrets during WWI?

Meng offers both options separately and theres a considerable cost difference if you don't want the diorama base.

Thanks,
Chris


Of note, the cost difference is more than just the base. The riveted turret does not include the entire drivetrain, only the driver's compartment.
AFVFan
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Posted: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 09:53 PM UTC
Both, the one at the AAF Museum in Danville and the one at the Heritage Center in Carlisle, are the riveted versions.
cmreds
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Posted: Monday, January 19, 2015 - 10:13 PM UTC
So the 326th and 327th likely would have used the cast and the riveted versions of the ft-17 - correct?

Good point regarding the other features of the cast version. I didn't realize how much interior was detailed in the cast version.

I'm going to likely get the cast version, but then somehow determine which unit used it - the 326th or the 327th.
Frenchy
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Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 05:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text

So the 326th and 327th likely would have used the cast and the riveted versions of the ft-17 - correct?


Patton (at center, looking to the left) and some tankers of the 326th Tank Battalion :



Both versions of the FT can be seen in the background.

326th Tank Battalion moving to the front near Boureuilles, 26 Sep 1918 :



Interesting period footages :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdtxTyoxnUE (synopsis )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfdHAqIIYts (synopsis ).

H.P.
cmreds
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Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 05:44 PM UTC
Thanks HP. Those pictures are awesome.
Frenchy
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Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 05:59 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks HP. Those pictures are awesome.


You're welcome. Here's a better version of the first picture I've posted :

http://armyhistoryjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/twin-renaults.jpg

H.P.
cmreds
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Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 07:02 PM UTC
I just noticed from those pictures that the US put the unit emblems on the turrets and not the rear sides like the French.
Also, the FT's going down the road appear to have 55 gallon drums of fuel strapped to them - I had not seen that on this tank until now.
Again - great pictures.
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