Renault FT 17

Renault FT 17
Kraju	Francja
Typu	Czołg lekki
Produkcji	3694 (1917-1918)

Tthe Renault FT (często określane w literaturze po I wojnie światowej jako FT-17, FT17, lub podobne) był francuski czołg lekki, który był jednym z najbardziej rewolucyjnych i wpływowych projektów czołgów w historii. FT był pierwszym czołgiem produkcyjnym, który miał swoje uzbrojenie w w pełni obracającej się wieży. Konfiguracja Renault FT – przedział załogi z przodu, komora silnika z tyłu i główne uzbrojenie w obrotowej wieży – stała się i pozostaje standardowym układem czołgu. W związku z tym niektórzy historycy wojny pancernej nazwali Renault FT pierwszym na świecie nowoczesnym czołgiem.

Źródła: Renault FT 17 na Wikipedii

Renault FT 17
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Renault FT 17 02

Renault FT 17 01

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The Revolutionary Compact

Tthe Renault FT (often called the FT-17) was arguably the most influential tank ever built. While earlier tanks were lumbering “landships” or “boxes on tracks,” the FT established the definitive configuration: engine at the back, driver at the front, and armament in a fully rotating turret on top. Small, cheap to produce, and manned by just two men, it introduced “swarm” tactics to the battlefield, overwhelming German lines through numbers and mobility rather than raw size.

Attribute	Technical Specification (Renault FT)
Roli	Light Infantry Support Tank
Załogi	2 (Commander/Gunner, Driver)
Silnika	Renault 4-cylinder petrol (35–39 hp)
Prędkość maksymalna	7.7 km/h (4.8 mph) — Brisk walking pace
Uzbrojenie główne	37mm Puteaux SA 18 gun (Male) OR 8mm Hotchkiss MG (Female)
Zbroja	8 mm to 22 mm
Waga	~6.5 tonnes
Unique Feature	Removable “Tail” for trench crossing

Design Engineering: The Standardized Layout

The Fully Rotating Turret: Before the FT, tanks had guns mounted in “sponsons” on the sides or fixed in the front hull. The FT’s turret allowed it to engage targets 360 degrees without turning the whole vehicle, a breakthrough that remains the global standard for tank design today.
The Tail Skid: To solve the problem of a short-wheelbase tank falling into deep trenches, Renault engineers added a curved metal “tail” at the rear. This acted as a stabilizer, letting the tank slide across gaps it otherwise couldn’t bridge.
Automotive Heritage: Unlike the specialized heavy tanks of the era, the FT used many components derived from the French automobile industry, making it significantly easier to mass-produce across multiple factories (Renault, Berliet, Schneider, etc.).
Driver-Commander Communication: Because it was so noisy inside, the commander (standing or sitting on a leather strap in the turret) often “steered” the driver by kicking his shoulders or back—one kick for left, one for right, or a kick to the head for “stop.”

Global Legacy and Long Service

WWI “Swarm” Tactics: First used in May 1918 at the Forest of Retz, the FT proved that dozens of small tanks were harder for artillery to hit than a single massive one. By the Armistice, over 3,000 had been built.
The American Connection: The US produced its own licensed version, the M1917 6-ton Tank. Though they didn’t reach the front in time for WWI, they formed the backbone of the infant US Tank Corps under figures like George S. Patton.
Interwar Proliferation: The FT was exported to over 20 countries. It fought in the Russian Civil War, the Polish-Soviet War, and even the Spanish Civil War. It became the “founding tank” for many nations’ armored forces, including Japan and the USSR.
Still Fighting in 1940: Amazingly, the French Army still had over 500 FTs in front-line service when Germany invaded in WWII. While totally obsolete against Panzers, they were used for airfield defense and internal security. The Germans even captured many and used them as Beutepanzer (captured tanks) for policing occupied Europe.