FT-17 was a French light tank that was among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. The Renault FT was the first operational armored tracked vehicle or tank to have its armament within a fully rotating turret. The Renault FT’s configuration – crew compartment at the front, engine compartment at the back, and main armament in a revolving turret – became and remains the standard tank layout .
Production: ~3694 tanks.
Specifications
crew | 2 |
hull armor | 6-16 mm |
turret armor | 16-22 mm |
main armament | 37mm Puteaux SA18 L/21, 237 rounds or 8 mm Hotchkiss modèle 1914, 4800 rounds |
weight (kg) | 6000 |
combat weight (kg) | 6500-6700 |
length (mm) | 4100 / 5000 with tail |
width (mm) | 1750 |
height (mm) | 2300 |
track contact (mm) | 3200 |
ground pressure (kg/cm2) | 0,58 |
engine | Renault 18CV, V-4, 39 hp at 1500rpm, 4480 cm3, liquid cooled |
transmission | 4 forward, 1 reverse |
fuel capacity (l) | 85 |
fuel consumption (l) (road / off road) | 30 |
range (road km/ off-road km) | 80 / 30 |
max speed (road/ off-road km/h) | 7,8 / 6 |
tracks | 340 mm |
ground clearance (mm) | 500 |
trench crossing (mm) | 1350 |
fording ability (mm) | 700 |
climbing ability (degrees) | 20 |
Bibliography
- Panzer Tracts No. 19-1: Beute-Panzerkampfwagen Czech, Polish and French Tanks Captured from 1939 to 1940 – Thomas L. Jentz and Werner Regenberg
- Les véhicules blindés français 1900-1944 – Touzin Pierre (french)
- David Doyle: FT-17/M1917 WWI Tanks Walk Around – Squadron Signal Walk Around 23, 2011
- Steven J. Zaloga: French Tanks of World War I – Osprey New Vanguard 173
- Witold J. Lawrynowicz: French Light Tank Renault FT U.S. Six Ton Tank M1917 – Kagero Armor Photo Gallery 15
- Pascal Danjou: Renault FT, Trackstory No.10
- Maksym Kolomyjec, Semen Fiedosiejew: Renault FT, Wydawnictwo Militaria 223
- Steven J. Zaloga, Peter Sarson: The Renault FT Light Tank Osprey Vanguard
- Touzin, Gurtner: Renault F.T. Armour in Profile Number 13