Takom 1/16 FT 17 detailing question

i purchased this kit for my son for his birthday. he has yet to start it, but the kit looks phenominal, and instructions are excellent. we have built other meng kits, and have their t-10 soviet heavy tank also waiting, and i think they are the best kits for the money on the market.

Thank you also richs26 for the info, and pics of the FT 17. I picked up on two items of intrest from the pics you posted. One that the plug wire boots on this particular tank engine were straight not angeled, and secondly I had wondered if on these early tanks if the road wheels were all metal, or as in newer tanks had rubber. From the photo I could clearly see what appeared to be rubber. I will paint them as shown in the picture. As I had posted previously I tried to cast the markings with the idea of glueing them to each plate, but It wasent working out like I had envisioned! I was dissabled in a motorcycle vs deer accident in 07, and am building my models from bed side, which is a feat in itself, and my wife gets kinda pissy when I cover her laura ashley duvet cover in a plume of Mold release spray LOL Dose anyone know if there is a company that makes raised leter's and number's in 1/16 scale? Also I think I will track down the Squadren walk around book on the FT 17  I think this would be of great value in my builds of this model. I still have the Takom " cannon " version of this kit to build. An american version of this tank sounds like an interesting build. I also picked up on your comment , preserved vs. Restoted I think that also makes a difference. Again thanks to all for your valued i put on this subject! E.o.d. guy

Ixion

Glad I could help! FT-17s aren't exactly my forte, but I thought these photos looked pretty good. This is a former Jacques Littlefield vehicle, actually a built under license, American FT-17, (M1917 6 ton Tank), so that might change things a bit, especially the numbers on the tracks, which I have not seen before. While I loath using museum vehicles as evidence for much of anything, I doubt anyone is going to nit-pik a radiator hose, at least I hope not.

 

Yes, there were changes done between a French-built FT-17 and the American built M-1917.  The M-1917 tracks generally had the manufacturer's name, "AMSCO", cast into the tracks.  The M-1917 also used American materials and a Buda brand engine.  A good book to get is the Squadron walkaround book which has about 10 different existing tanks in it in color with some that have been preserved rather than "restored".  Here are photos of an unrestored M-1917 as denoted by the "AMSCO" tracks.

http://www.wedaa.com/west_point_museum/sub_basement/FT_17_Renault_Tank/

Chris, you are absolutly right, mengs kit with interior is begging for a sponsoons off display. One magazine a while back, a guy had three tanks in various states of build, at the factory were the tanks were made and asembled, it was a realy nice job. I would love to post my pics, however, I keep asking my daughter to show me how, and she tells me very curtly.........."DAD YOUR TO OLD " to learn and storms off! But one day I'll figure it out lol I just finished the power plant foe the Takom ft 17 and it was worth the month it took me. I used 1/16 burnt orange spark plug boots and fabricated the old type cloth jacketed wire for the plugs. Also painted and added spark plugs, even though you can't see them fully I know there there, LOL  good luck with whichever one you build  Brian aka e.o.d. guy

Thanks for the info.  I worry that if I build a 1:16 scale kit, I'd have to build a bunch of them.  I better stick with 1:35.  They take up less room on the shelf.  

So, Meng's Mk. V has a full interior.  That's interesting.  I've seen period photos that show them with the sponsons off for maintenance or transport.  That could make an interesting display.  

Again, thanks for the info.  I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your FT-17.  

Chris 

I purchased six diffrent WW1 tank kits. Including Tamiya, Meng, and Tokom. The Tamiya rohmboid Mark IV. Male is an exclent kit, and the fit was flawless. Having a motor it worked for me as I used it in a diorama, and positioned it just above the base, so the tracks could rotate. And added sound and pyrotechnics. however there's only so much detail on these type tanks. Although Mengs rohmboid  Mark V male w/ full interior #TS-020 is packed with detail, mostly interior and is a long build but having a complete interior, for me is a home run. The Takom FT 17 1/16 kit # 1001 is my personal favorite, as it has the large scale, and a full interior, and so far the parts fit is flawless, but the build is not over so I can only comment on the engine part of the build, which has been a joy. I did however build Takoms St. Chamond in 1/35 scale #2002 and although an ok build I wasent that imppressed with the fit of some of the parts, and the suspension was a bit fiddely! So to answer your question, my picks would be the  Meng rohmboid MK V with interior, and either of the Takom 1/16  FT 17's the limited edition  # 1002 wich comes with a figure that stands about 4 3/4" tall, and has the Hotchkiss machine gun, while kit 1002 has no figure and has the char cannon/ turret. Additional Inside the Armor had a very nice P.E. and Resin upgrade detail kit for the FT-17's however it appears they are no longer making it. I belive now they just sell publications. E.o.d. guy

What are your impressions of Takom's kits?  I'm considering purchasing one of their British rhombiod tank kits.  I'd like to put some First World War subjects on my shelf.  Meng makes some competitve kits, but I don't know anything about those kits either.  

Just looking at the available photos online, there are a considerable number of variations present. I lack the references necessary to differentiate the various model changes. Like I said, WWI French tanks...not my bag...

I would punt on this one, but that's just me. Good luck!

Lol I hope not , but the way my luck goes, it will be judged by a former member/ president of the international Brotherhood of radiator hose collectors! I tried casting the track foundry numbers, however after having to do so much work just to get one set of numbers to come out presentable, I think your thoughts are correct, not all ft's made had cast numbers on the track, and have opted to let that "museum" type detail slide! Tanks again e.o.d. guy

Glad I could help! FT-17s aren't exactly my forte, but I thought these photos looked pretty good. This is a former Jacques Littlefield vehicle, actually a built under license, American FT-17, (M1917 6 ton Tank), so that might change things a bit, especially the numbers on the tracks, which I have not seen before. While I loath using museum vehicles as evidence for much of anything, I doubt anyone is going to nit-pik a radiator hose, at least I hope not.

Dear lxion, thanks for fast response, I have been on the net about 30 times looking at pics, and haven't come accross the ones u posted. It would appear black would be the color of the hoses. I also noticed in the pics you sent, the raised numbers on each tread plate on the tracks, now to figure a way to duplicate it! What was inyendd as week long build has now been a month on just the engine. I finished the 1/16 scale machined alum. Spark plugs last night which I obtained along with spark plug boots from a co. In ohio ,RB motion. Normaly wouldn't spend so much time on a.build, however I really like this kit . its the limited edition, with figure, and Hotchkiss machine gun in place of the cannon. Once again thank you for your help! E.o.d. guy

There are several photos of a FT-17 engine here, it appears to be in original condition;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/solipsistnation/sets/72157646053388085/