There are currently a load of things on the painting table. There is some more VBCW in 28mm, some 28mm ECW (Don't ask going badly!) and more 20mm Back of Beyond stuff. However today here is the 1/72 nd scale (20mm to wargamers) FT 17.
Let us be honest the FT 17 was never a "Good tank" it had a crew of 2 (driver and Commander/gunner). It was designed as a "Mosquito" tank were swarms of them would take the battle field. Despite not being a food tank it sold well to other counties. (Link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_FT). And saw action in many different wars and settings. So it is totally suitable for Back of Beyond wargames. This one is armed with a 14.5mm HMG while others were armed with a 37mm cannon. Personally I prefer the HMG as there is no way you would want this to fight other tanks, but it did in a you use what you have kind of way.
The model by HAT comes 2 in a box and is very easy to assemble. There are 7 parts so it goes together without issue. Instructions are printed on the box but generally you do not need to look at them as the pieces are pretty much fool proof. Unless you decide to musk it up you wont. One of the interesting things about the tank is that the front wheel is actually made from hard wood in real life. While the tail at the back is designed to help cross trenches.
All in all a great gift and very welcome in the back of beyond universe were tanks should be very rare indeed.
Thanks for looking today no idea what next time I will need to start getting things finished and not new things started on the painting table.
All the best Clint
Nice job on the light tank, and what a brilliant addition to your BoB forces :-)
ReplyDeleteNow I know you said "Don't ask", but my paint table is full of 28mm ECW as I rush to build up two useable forces, so, what's up? Can I help?
Thank you Addict. I appreciate the offer but no mostly lack of motivation. Additionally I wnt to keep it a "Little" secret from the club, but I realise some will read this. But mostly I just am not very interested in the period. But I shall persevere despite these issues. You never know I may grow to love the period.
DeleteNice FT 17 Clint, great interesting facts to go with it
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. while no early tank could be thought of as a "Good" tank this was a "swarm" tank with the plan of having so many on the battle field they could win. As such light armour and small crew and NO comforts. But as mentioned so many countries used it. As such they must have thought it worth while.
DeleteThat would seem to be a good addition to your forces. Thanks for letting us know about this little tank.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bryan. The FT 17 is perhaps the most well known of the WW1 French tanks. Mainly because so many other countries bought them. Which made them very popular.
DeleteGreat looking FT-17.
ReplyDeleteAlways liked those French tanks especially the char b1-bis.
Thank you Dannoc. There is a pleasure in French tanks, perhaps because we do not see them as often as other countries tanks, and they were (in ww2) allies.
DeleteLovely tank.......do think I might need one of these sometime 🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt. It all depends on the game of course but you could do worse than get a box of HAT tanks. 2 In a box and a reasonable price. Only 7 parts so ideal for wargames where making the model is secondary and having it on the table is primary.
DeleteWhat a simple but very effective model and Ido like hyou choicce ofcamo too. The occassional, fairly inneffective, tank in BoB games will probably be an interesting feature.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe. The previous game did show how fragile vehicles were so I do not expect it will look as much of a daunting threat as it actually would have been in real life....... but I may be wrong.
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