FineScale Modeler – October 2019

26 FineScale Modeler October 2019

Converting Takom’s

Renault FT into an M1917

Part 2: Suspension, turret, and paint

BY RON PONIATOWSKI

I

n the first part of this project

(September 2019 FSM), I modified the

hull of Takom’s 1/16 scale FT tank to

account for differences in the American

M1917 Six-Ton Light Tank. The changes

included new armor around the driver, flip-

ping the engine and exhaust, and relocating

plenty of rivets. Now I could focus on the

suspension and turret.

Suspension

At first glance, the M1917’s suspension is

almost identical to the FT. The most

noticeable differences are the adjustment

mechanism for the compensating idler and

1

First things first, I shaved away unwanted

detail. It really did hurt to remove that cool

Renault manufacturer’s plate!

the idler itself, but there are a few other

changes I needed to add.

On the FT, the side plates of the sus-

pension units are reinforced with angle iron

riveted to the top and bottom edges. The

M1917 incorporates a wide U-beam with

shallow flanges, so I had to remove rivets.

Also, castings at the rear into which the

sprockets are set are shorter on the M1917.

Daunted by having to remove so much

detail, I settled on a little deception instead.

I could fill the space between the raised

details with sheet styrene. This could be

puttied and sanded to look as if it was a

single flat area between a U-beam’s flanges.