Renault FT
In Detail
Our First World War Renault FT light tank, is widely and inaccurately referred to as a Renault FT17. Due to no intact examples of the Renault FT being available we endeavoured to piece together the hull and turret. The hull design consists of plates and angle iron. The gathering together of the hull panels required a considerable period of time as many of the panels were either missing or in very bad shape given the original poor quality of the steel and subsequent exposure to the elements since the First World War. We were unable to secure a complete hull and were therefore in the hands of the dealer community to source the panels. Once this process had ended t he plates were eventually laid out as a giant jigsaw puzzle to enable us to photograph and identify each component and provide a lasting resource for the research effort to come. The hull and related components thereafter languished in a far corner of our sheds for many years before we began to address the issue of restoration.
To begin the work, an assessment of the hull plates was carried out. Except for the floor and framework, the plates appeared to have been remarkably well preserved. There had been some corrosion to the plates, obliterating the camouflage scheme. Although a partial outline of the registration number was found on the front plate. However closer examination of the plates revealed more extensive damage.
The restoration would go on to involve many key experts, some of which would be in highly specialist fields. Additionally, the work would necessitate help from various sources such as The Tank Museum and include the search for many components. As with all our projects, research is a crucial part. This research incorporates the history, as well as ensuring that components are in keeping with the original fitting, or the paint used is an accurate representation. The real challenge in this case, was that we intended to rebuild a vehicle that was 100 years old.
When you become a member you have access to the full article detailing the work and research in this project and the ongoing issue resolution regarding fittings and detail.
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Articles
.JPG "Renault FT And TSF - Building the Suspension Beam")
|Renault FT And TSF - Building the Suspension Beam
16 Oct 2020
From the Archive: The key component of the Renault FT and TSF suspension examined.
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Differences in Exhausts")
|Renault FT / TSF - Differences in Exhausts
18 Mar 2016
There are very few Renault FTs with original exhausts in the world today.
.JPG "Renault FT - Drivers Seat Strap")
|Renault FT - Drivers Seat Strap
17 Sep 2014
Collecting for the interior of the FT has been a challenge.
.JPG "From our Archive - Renault FT TSF - Bolts in the press")
|From our Archive - Renault FT / TSF - Bolts in the press
09 Mar 2018
How to reproduce FT / TSF conical head bolts
.JPG "FT 17 nuts")
|Renault FT / TSF - Nut Differences Between The Contractors of the Renault FT and Renault TSF
09 Oct 2020
From the Archive : Our new discovery would contribute to an even more accurate rebuild...
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Engine bore rust removal")
|Renault FT / TSF - Engine bore rust removal
13 Aug 2014
What's the best way to remove rust from an engine bore?
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Engine rust removal")
.jpg "FT TSF Firewall - Part one - Brussels gives up its secrets")
|FT / TSF Firewall - Part one - Brussels gives up its secrets
02 Aug 2014
During a visit to the Brussels Museum we make an extraordinary discovery.
.jpg "FT TSF Firewall - Part two - Replica firewall arrives")
|FT / TSF Firewall - Part two - Replica firewall arrives
03 Aug 2014
Work has begun on the reproduction firewall.
.JPG "FT TSF hull")
|Renault FT / TSF Hull thickness issue - Part one
13 Dec 2015
Variances in steel thickness between two hulls
.JPG "FT TSF hull")
|.JPG "Renault FT Carburettor - Part one")
.JPG "Renault FT Carburettor - Part two")
|Renault FT - Drivers Seat Strap
29 Mar 2016
Collection for the interior of the FT has been a challenge.
.JPG "Renault FT - Idler wheels Return - From Our Archive")
|Renault FT - Road wheels -Part two - From our Archive
19 May 2017
Road wheels reveal substance hidden for years...
.JPG "FT17 Steering levers")
|Renault FT - Turret Restoration
29 Mar 2016
After over a month's work the final score for the turret restoration is over.
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Numbering The Track Links - Part One")
|Renault FT / TSF - Numbering The Track Links - Part One
18 Aug 2017
Study shows a range of different track links.
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Numbering The Track Links - Part Two")
|Renault FT / TSF - Numbering The Track Links - Part Two
25 Aug 2017
Studying the sequencing of track link numbers
|Renault FT - Hotchkiss M1914 Ammunition Stowage - Part 1
29 Jul 2016
Putting the puzzle pieces together.
.jpg "Renault FT gear gate")
|Renault FT - Original Gear Gate Strip Down
03 Mar 2017
From our archives - the first stage of restoration. Strip down and analysis of parts.
.JPG "Renault FT Radiator Fan Shroud")
.JPG "Renault FT TSF funnel")
|Renault FT / TSF - Drivers position - Recreating The Filter Funnel - Part Three
23 Aug 2014
Following on from our earlier story we now moved on to making a set of replacement funnels
.jpg "FT17 loading plan")
|Renault FT / TSF - Drivers position - Small canisters left and right? - Part one
15 Oct 2015
The two small canisters placed to the left and right of the driver. What are they?
.jpg "FT17 loading plan")
|Renault FT / TSF - Drivers position - Small canisters left and right? - Part two
20 Oct 2015
The final say on these two items.
.JPG "FT 17 skid")
|Renault FT / TSF - The Trenching Skid Part One
28 Jan 2016
No two skids that we have analysed are the same.
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - The Trenching Skid Part Two")
|Renault FT / TSF - The Trenching Skid Part Two
05 Feb 2016
A number of interesting differences have been revealed...
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Towing Chains")
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Ventilateur Sourcing The Air Outlet Housings")
|Renault FT / TSF - ‘Ventilateur’ Sourcing The Air Outlet Housings
13 Jan 2016
Locating an original housing still retaining its original grill that was accessible was a formidable task.
.JPG "Renault FT Oil can")
|Renault FT / TSF Engine Bay Oil Cans and Holders
14 Jan 2016
Most surviving Renault FTs and TSFs no longer retain their spare oil cans but could the holder give us more information?
|Renault FT 17 And TSF Paint Schemes and Registration - Part 3
03 Jun 2016
The journey to uncovering the paint schemes.
|Renault FT 17 And TSF Paint Schemes and Registration - Part 1
01 Apr 2016
Filtering images in an attempt to reveal further information.
|Renault FT and TSF - Berliet FT Idler wheels
16 Nov 2015
Why were some metal and others wood? The explanation is....
|Renault FT and TSF – Driver’s Seat Box
15 Jun 2016
Replicating the sole example of the Renault FT Seat Box.
|Renault FT and TSF - ‘Notice’ on Interior of Driver’s Door Panels - Part 1
17 May 2016
Expedito to the rescue.
|Renault FT and TSF - ‘Notice’ on Interior of Driver’s Door Panels - Part 2
30 Jun 2016
Deciphering the clues from the limited original photographs.
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Notice on Interior of Drivers Door Panels - Part 3")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF - Notice on Interior of Drivers Door Panels Success Part 4")
|Renault FT and TSF - ‘Notice’ on Interior of Driver’s Door Panels – Success Part 4
22 Sep 2016
A long road...
|Renault FT and TSF – Testing the Radiators
12 Aug 2016
Water testing the radiators highlights a huge problem.
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Archive Files")
|Renault FT and TSF Archive Files
12 Feb 2016
The archive documentation required for the Renault and TSF project has been building.
|Renault FT and TSF Engine – Nourrice d’essence - The Header Tank - Part 1
26 Aug 2016
Researching the history of the tank.
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Engine Restoration – The White Metalling Process")
|Renault FT and TSF Engine Restoration – The White Metalling Process
29 Apr 2016
A lengthy process of trial and error in order to perfect the dying skill of white metalling
|Renault FT and TSF Radiator – Technical Drawing for Two Authentic Radiators
03 Jun 2016
Creating the CAD drawings.
|Renault FT and TSF Radiators – Fabrication Part 3 - Completion
05 Jul 2016
The final stages have been completed.
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Suspension")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Water Inlet Manifold")
|Renault FT and TSF - What does the correct ‘Cric’ look like?
29 Jul 2016
Using historical photographs to determine.
.jpg "Renault FT Engine - Magneto")
.JPG "Renault FT Engine Setting The Ignition Timing")
|Renault FT Engine – Setting The Ignition Timing
01 Dec 2017
Revisiting our understanding of the ignition timing settings...
.JPG "Renault FT Engine - Speed Limitation Setting")
|Renault FT Engine - Speed Limitation Setting
10 Nov 2016
This governor system hailed from the days of steam
.jpg "Renault FT Engine The Valvoline Connection")
.JPG "Renault FT Engine Zenith Carburettor Part 1 Sourcing the Carburettor")
.JPG "Renault FT Engine Zenith Carburettor Part 2 Machining and Assembly")
|Renault FT Engine – Zenith Carburettor – Part 2 Machining and Assembly
21 Oct 2016
This task was beyond anything we had previously undertaken given the size of the parts desired.
.JPG "Renault FT Engine Zenith Carburettor Inefficiency")
|Renault FT Engine – Zenith Carburettor Inefficiency
10 Nov 2016
A problem occurs during the test runs...
.JPG "Renault FT Engine Colours")
.JPG "From our Archive - Renault FT Fuel tanks")
.JPG "Renault FT Hinge mystery")
.JPG "Renault FT Hotchkiss M1914 Ammunition Trays vs Semi Flexible Belts")
|Renault FT Hotchkiss M1914 Ammunition Trays vs Semi Flexible Belts
19 Feb 2016
The semi flexible belts are very rare...
.JPG "Renault FT - Idler wheels reproduction")
|Renault FT - Idler wheels reproduction
07 Sep 2014
See the process behind re creating these intricate wooden wheels.
|Renault FT Internal Cabin Tools Part 1
01 Aug 2016
Mysterious object uncovered using parts already in our collection.
.JPG "Renault FT Internal Paint Finish - Part One")
|Renault FT Internal Paint Finish - Part One
27 Jan 2016
The internal faces of the panels gave some interesting conflicting information...
.JPG "Renault FT turret")
|Renault FT Polygonal Turret Unmasked
23 Oct 2020
From the Archive: The polygonal turret is rare in relation to the cast Berliet variety.
.JPG "Renault FT Radiator - Building the Test Frame for the Renault FT Engine")
|Renault FT Radiator - Building the Test Frame for the Renault FT Engine
27 Oct 2016
Another Possible Empire link uncovered
.jpg "Renault FT Registration Part One")
|Renault FT Registration – Part One
11 Mar 2016
The corroded plates held the key to identifying the registration and chassis numbers.
.JPG "Renault FT Registration Part Two")
.JPG "FT Throttle lever")
.JPG "FT17 turret")
.JPG "Renault FT turret")
.JPG "FT door")
|Renault FT - The Elusive Brass Panels
18 Mar 2016
Our examination of all known survivors has so far failed to locate and copy a pair of these plates.
|The Renault FT Polygonal Turret – The Cupola Part 2 Fitting The Cupola
15 Apr 2016
Creating the hinge for the cupola from the beginning.
.JPG "The Renault FT Polygonal Turret The Cupola Part One - The Base")
|The Renault FT Polygonal Turret – The Cupola Part One - The Base
24 Mar 2016
The current focus is the cupola base and cupola.
.jpg "Renault TSF - Finding the Registration and Assembly Number")
|Renault TSF - Finding the Registration and Assembly Number
10 Nov 2014
Two key projects remained to be completed
.jpg "Renault FT and TSF The Longeron Suspension Beam")
.JPG "Renault FT amp TSF Manufacturers Plate - Part 2")
.JPG "Renault FT TSF - Con rod conundrum")
|Renault FT and TSF – Dubidon a’ petrole and Entonnoir a’ essence
09 Feb 2017
Petrol Can and Funnel with Mounting Brackets
-FT(R).jpg "Renault FT TSF - engine sumps")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF- Towing Shackle Clevis Pins and Chains Part 1")
|Renault FT and TSF- Towing Shackle, Clevis Pins and Chains – Part 1
16 Feb 2017
Reproducing the bases and pins
.jpg "Renault FT and TSF Curettes a Chenilles Track Scraper")
|Renault FT and TSF – Curettes a’ Chenilles – Track Scraper
22 Feb 2017
The mystery of the 'hoe' solved
|Renault FT Polygonal Turret – Interior fittings for 8mm Hotchkiss MG 2
03 Mar 2017
Some questions answered...
|Renault FT and TSF - Internal Paint Finish – Part 2 -Engine Bay Colour
02 Jun 2017
The End of the Paint Debate
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Numero de Assemblage Chassis Number A New Theory Part 2")
|Renault FT and TSF – Numero de Assemblage Chassis Number – A New Theory – Part 2
09 Jun 2017
Working the Numbers
|Renault FT and TSF – Numero de Assemblage Chassis Number
23 Jun 2017
The new theory grows stronger – but Renault?
/~th-500x375/~th-crop-IMG_3750.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Longeron - Suspension Beam- Machining")
.JPG "Renault FT - Octagonal Turret The Turret Race Bearings")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF - Gearboxes")
|Renault FT and TSF- Internal Paint Finish – The Steering Brake Bands and Brake Drums
12 Jan 2018
The Home Straight
|Renault FT and TSF – Evolving Strategy for the Foundation or Harsh Lessons Learned
09 Feb 2018
What are the Takeaways from the Project?
|From The Archive: Renault FT - Hotchkiss M1914 Ammunition Stowage - Part 1
20 Jul 2018
Putting the puzzle pieces together.
|From The Archive - Renault FT Internal Paint Finish - Part One
27 Jan 2016
The internal faces of the panels gave some interesting conflicting information...
|From The Archive - Renault FT Internal Paint Finish - Part One
27 Jul 2018
The internal faces of the panels gave some interesting conflicting information...
-(1).jpg "From the Archive Renault FT Hotchkiss M1914 Ammunition Stowage - Part 2")
|From the Archive: Renault FT – Hotchkiss M1914 Ammunition Stowage - Part 2
07 Sep 2018
A major breakthrough.
|From The Archive - Renault FT and TSF - Internal Paint Finish – Part 2 -Engine Bay Colour
27 Sep 2018
The End of the Paint Debate
.JPG "From the Archive - Renault FT Floorplate Hand Machined")
|From the Archive - Renault FT Floorplate Hand Machined
16 May 2019
Pattern reveals machinists technique
resized.jpg "Renault FT 2nd Battle of The Marne 1918 to 2018")
|Renault FT Mitrailleuse et son masque - Hotchkiss M1914 fitted to the mantlet
26 Apr 2019
Mitrailleuse et son masque
.jpg "Renault FT - Turret")
.jpg "Renault FT - Turret Ring - Part One")
.JPG "Renault FT amp TSF Track Link Paint Finish")
.jpg "Renault FT and TSF - Cupolas - Part 2")
a.jpg "Renault FT and TSF External Paint Treatment - Café au Lait or kaki")
a.jpg "Renault FT and TSF External Paint Treatment Part 1")
|Renault FT and TSF – External Paint Treatment – Part 1
13 Apr 2018
Deciphering the black and white photographs
/~th-500x375/~th-crop-004.JPG "Renault FT and TSF External Paint Treatment Part 2")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Horse Hair for Horse Power")
Renault FT and TSF - Mission Accomplished!
28 Jun 2018
|Renault FT and TSF – Numero de Assemblage Chassis Number – A new theory – Part 1
09 Jun 2017
Rethinking the Numbers
|Renault FT - Hotchkiss M1914 Turret Fittings - Part 1 - Lunette (Optic)
04 Jan 2019
Which road to follow?
Renault FT and TSF – ‘Painting the Tanks’ – Camouflage – Part One
06 Apr 2018
Our paint conservation partners have now established all the external colours needed on the Renault FT and TSF.
|Renault FT and TSF – Starting Handle Boss
17 Mar 2018
The fairly innocuous looking attachment at the rear of the Renault FT engine bay has proven to be quite troublesome for us to reproduce.
.jpg "Renault FT and TSF - Track Links")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Paint Finish The Engine")
/~th-500x375/~th-crop-DSC_0071.JPG "Renault FT Interior - Photo Focus")
.jpg "Renault FT vs TSF Firewall Paint Treatment Difference or Evolution")
.JPG "Renault TSF - A Dedicated Trenching Skid")
---Copya.jpg "Renault TSF Battery Selection")
.JPG "Renault TSF Interior Detail Part 1")
.JPG "Renault TSF Internal Door Handle and Lock - Part 2")
.JPG "Renault TSF - Radio shelf")
.jpg "Renault TSF - Registration Number - Part 2")
.JPG "TSF")
|Renault TSF E10 ter Radio - Visit By Bernard Pigelet – Part 1
22 Apr 2016
Building the exact replica of the Renault TSF E10 ter Radio.
.JPG "Renault TSF Trenching Skid Part Three")
.JPG "The Renault TSF Cometh")
.JPG "Renault FT Drivers Seat Box")
.JPG "Renault FT Hotchkiss M1914 Turret Fabricating the Casiers a munitions Ammunition Stowage Bins")
|Renault FT Hotchkiss M1914 Turret – Fabricating the Casiers a’ munitions (Ammunition Stowage Bins)
22 Jan 2021
From the Archive
