HaT8113 RENAULT FT-17 with 37mm CANNON

DEZE SET BEVAT 2 MODELLEN!
Development of this light tank, which was the first to have a fully revolving turret, began in 1916 and the first models made their debut in action in May 1918. The two-man FT-17 was the principal French armoured vehicle of the war, and many models were armed with the 8mm Hotchkiss air-cooled machine gun, as seen on the other HaT model of this vehicle, set 8114. Later tanks were given the 37mm Purteaux cannon when this weapon was made semi-automatic and thus could be fired by one man, and it is this version that is featured in this set.

The tank was in production long after the war ended, and was either exported or copied in many parts of the world for many years afterwards. In 1939 it is estimated that well over 2,000 were still in service worldwide, over 500 of which were in France's armoury. However by that date it was completely obsolescent and virtually useless for war, although that did not stop France using it in combat. As late as 1944 it was to be seen on the streets of Paris, but only for riot control.

The FT-17 was an important vehicle on the Western Front in 1918, and this kit allows a pretty accurate model to be made in a remarkably short time.