Renault TSF
In Detail
WW1 saw many innovations in military science, not least in the area of communications. The tank evolved out of the need to restore mobility to the battlefield. The French Renault TSF (te’le’graphie sans fil) evolved to meet the need to communicate once mobility was restored.
The possibility of restoring a working Renault TSF ‘tank’, with its box-like communications Blockhaus turret, arose as we sourced parts for our Renault FT char leger. General Jean Baptiste Estienne ordered 200 in January 1918. This was increased to 300 in April 1918. Approximately 180 were finally produced but less than 50 were accepted by the French War Office during WW1 and half as much accepted by the Artilllerie Speciale units themselves. The Renault TSF is a much rarer but as historically important type of vehicle, when compared to the Renault FT.
Most collectors find this vehicle intrinsically less interesting, as it does not have a gun. This has resulted in many Renault TSFs being altered to the FT configuration. The Blockhaus superstructure is replaced with a revolving turret equipped, with either a machine gun or Puteaux 37mm cannon. The consequence of this action is the loss of history and rich provenance. Physical evidence is often altered or obliterated.
However, after a considerable period of time, we located the basis of a TSF hull. This Renault TSF hull surprisingly retained the remnants of many its original features and components.
Restoration of any of our vehicles, starts with an initial survey shortly after it arrives. Detailed research is then carried out over time and further parts and components will be added. Unfortunately, due to the age of the TSF the required parts were simply not available. The accumulation of research and research material to assist us in identifying the components required and their dimensions turned this project into a time-consuming challenge. The physical work on both the Renault FT and TSF started in 2014. A deadline was set for May 2018 in time for various WW1 commemorative events set for 2018.
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.
To have access to the full article
Articles
.JPG "Renault TSF - A Dedicated Trenching Skid")
.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 "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 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
|Rebuilding The Renault TSF’s Radio – the E10 ter –Part 2 Revisited
06 May 2016
A correction on behalf of The Weald Foundation
.jpg "Renault TSF - Registration Number - Part 2")
.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 – 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.
|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 - Plate layout - From Our Archive")
.JPG "Renault TSF Trenching Skid Part Three")
.JPG "Renault TSF Turret takes shape")
.JPG "The Renault TSF Interior The Poste E10 ter - Part One")
|The Renault TSF Interior –The ‘Poste E10 ter’ - Part One
04 Mar 2016
What makes up the interior of these very interesting machines?
.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 TSF - Radio shelf")
.JPG "Renault TSF - The Commanders table - Part one")
.JPG "TSF Tables - Part two - Evidence of another table")
.JPG "TSF")
.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")
-FT(R).jpg "Renault FT TSF - engine sumps")
/~th-500x375/~th-crop-IMG_3750.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Longeron - Suspension Beam- Machining")
.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
|From The Archive - Renault FT and TSF - Internal Paint Finish – Part 2 -Engine Bay Colour
05 Oct 2018
The End of the Paint Debate
.jpg "Renault FT and TSF - Cupolas - Part 2")
.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 and TSF – Dubidon a’ petrole and Entonnoir a’ essence
09 Feb 2017
Petrol Can and Funnel with Mounting Brackets
|Renault FT and TSF – Evolving Strategy for the Foundation or Harsh Lessons Learned
09 Feb 2018
What are the Takeaways from the Project?
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 - Internal Paint Finish – Part 2 -Engine Bay Colour
02 Jun 2017
The End of the Paint Debate
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
.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 – The new theory - Part 3 Conclusion
28 Jul 2017
The Last Word?
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 Wooden Tool Box")
.JPG "Renault FT and TSF Paint Finish The Engine")
.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 vs TSF Firewall Paint Treatment Difference or Evolution")
|---Copya.jpg "Renault TSF Battery Selection")
.JPG "Renault TSF Interior Detail Part 1")
.JPG "Renault TSF Internal Door Handle and Lock - Part 2")
.JPG "The Renault TSF Cometh")
.JPG "Renault FT amp TSF Track Link Paint Finish")
|Renault FT and TSF - Berliet FT Idler wheels
16 Nov 2015
Why were some metal and others wood? The explanation is....
.JPG "Renault FT Carburettor - Part one")
.JPG "Renault FT Carburettor - Part two")
.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 "Renault FT Floorplate hand machined")
.JPG "Renault FT Hinge mystery")
.JPG "FT17 Steering levers")
.JPG "FT Throttle lever")
.jpg "Renault TSF - Camouflaging the Exterior Sourcing the Tools Interior")
