RPM's 1/35th scale
Renault FT-17 / 730(f) Tractor with Small Trailer

By Ray Mehlberger

History

The Renault FT-17 light tank was developed in 1916 and brought into service as the Char Legar Renault FT Modele 1917. Its construction was at that time new and revolutionary and some of the main ideas used in the vehicle are still in use in tank designs to this day.

At the beginning of 1917, 1,000 vehicles were ordered. At the end of January 1918 the number of ordered vehicles was increased to 4,000. 3,144 vehicles were delivered before the end of WWI. Many variants of the FT-17 were used during local conflicts in the 1920s and 1930s, as well as during WWII.

Many FT-17s were captured by Germany after the fall of France. These were then pressed into use behind the front lines. Some FT-17s had their turrets removed and were used in German pillboxes. Another use, and one that this kit represents, was as an auxiliary vehicle . . ammo carrier/tow tractor - designated as the 730(f) tractor.

Technical Data

Length: 5.00m, Width: 1.74m, Height: 2.14m
Clearance: 0.435m
Speed: 7.7kmh
Range: 35km

The Kit (click on thumbnails for larger image)

One tree of light gray parts contains the body of the FT-17, the pioneer tools, and the rear unditching trail (which is not used on this variant) (61 parts). A second tree of light gray parts is the side sponsons, and a pail with a handle. (12 parts). Two identical trees of further light gray plastic are the running gear. (168 parts).

Although continuous rubber band type treads are in the kit, a small tree of white plastic parts is included of individual links to hang on the vehicle - or to put in the small trailer - as spare links. Oddly, there is a second set of rubber band type treads in the kit. They look like they would be for a completely different tank and I have no idea why they are included.

Only the FT-17's turret is missing from this kit. Since the kit is supposed to make up into a turretless tow tractor, I can understand this omission.

The small trailer is done on two trees of pure white plastic. A cargo consisting of a 50 gallon oil drum, and a second pail with handle is given on these trees. (53 parts) A third tree of white parts, consisting of 13 parts, is inside the same cello bag with the trailer trees. It is marked as tree letter 'D'. However, these parts are not called out anywhere on the instructions and I cannot identify what they might be. They are a real head scratcher, but look to be parts for another trailer version.

In common with the other RPM kits reviewed recently, there are no figures. (see previous issue for the other two reviews - RNP)

Finally, a small fret of brass PE is included of approximately 50 parts: Renault manufacturer name plates, various inspection plates, straps, tie downs etc.

Instructions are eight pages long. 17 steps cover the FT-17 assembly. An additional seven steps are for the construction of the small trailer. The last page of the instructions shows four box tops for other kit variants of the FT-17 that RPM does. Instructions are all in Polish. There is a paint scheme given for a tractor 730(f) used by German units, France 1943.

The decal sheet, common to all three RPM kits received for review, is in this kit. It has a large swastika flag for air recognition, two crosses of Lorraine (not used for this German version), French license plates (also not used), German towed artillery symbols, and some kill marks.

I especially like the box art of this kit and may build mine into a diorama depicting that scene. It shows the vehicle off-loading supplies at a pill box.

I want to thank Squadron Mail Order for supplying this kit and hope to have a build up reviews of all the new RPM kits received in future issues.