The Renault FT was a French light tank, the booklet/manual printed in 1920 for the French army. I have just bought this original copy. Anyone have any info on it, was issued to 502e rgt de chars légers 5 compagnie. Thanks for any help. Keith
Dear morrisc8, I am a tad envious! Volume eight (of nine), "Description and Maintenance of Equipment". Hmmmmm. If that petrol tank takes a round..... Good fortune in hunting down the other eight for a complete set. Kind regards, always, Jim.
I can’t see your images for some reason Keith, but you may find digital copies of other volumes in the series here: https://gallica.bnf.fr/services/eng...lica all "char renault ft")&lang=en&suggest=0
Hello Keith, I've just read from the front cover (nothing more!) The other eight in the series are those listed (roman numerals) on the bottom section of your cover. They'll be out there to be had somewhere, and without, I hope, too much advertising, Ebay.fr is likely the best bet for tracking them down at reasonable prices. It's a great find. There is likely an English language equivalent set which the American Army may have originated. I'd be almost certain they would have translated the originals for their own use. The Regiment (with Renaults) saw action in the Great War. One question, if I may, Is there a name (of owner originally issued to) anywhere on the covers or within? Kind regards, always, Jim.
They took some casualties on 29th August 1918, see here: Re: Artillerie Spéciale - Les morts des chars d'Assaut de la Guerre 14-18 - Page 3 - Forum PAGES 14-18 "was killed by a machine gun bullet on leaving his tank"..... Faces to names. Mort pour La France. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
Hi Jim, It is in the post to me from France and i bought it on Ebay.fr. When i get it i will have a look for a name. I am a member on that French website. Keith
Lovely thing. Funny how old school Technical Drawing still beats modern pooter-created stuff, aesthetically. 'Crisper' Maybe someone needs to consider finer line work when creating such.
Excellent Keith, and thank you. If there is a name written on it I may (only may mind you!) be able to find some information on the "previous owner". For you, if interested, here's the death recorded (as "killed by the enemy") of one of the chaps from the link in post #6 Always remember, never forget, Jim.
Has a name on the Index and back cover. Info on the Engine, Gearbox, Running Gear, MG, Gun, Rad, Fan and much more. Has 20 pull out diagrams. Keith
Excellent stuff Keith, thanks for posting it up, very much appreciated. I'll have a look for Monsieur Beauchamps this evening. At least his "matricule" (service number) - well that's what I'm hoping the 1690 is - looks about right given it was a newly formed Regiment in the last years of The Great War/early 1920s and there won't have been too many chaps serving within same up till then. My only caution would be that Beauchamps is not an uncommon name within France! If I come up with anything, no matter how thin, I'll post it up here for you. Kind regards, and again thanks for posting the images up, it's a cracking find! Jim.
US TANK EXERCISE [Allocated Title] Description:The exercises take place in swamp country as dusk begins to fall. The tanks are M1917 or M1918 (Renault) light tanks and the Tank Mark VIII "Liberty", with two scout airships above them. The tanks practise hill climbing and trench crossing on a training ground, and demonstrate their ability to push over small trees and drive through swamp. Two of the Renaults drive directly 'over' the camera. As the sun sets the exercise continues, with the airships dropping illumination flares, while the tank exhausts throw out luminescent white smoke. Some foot soldiers advance with the tanks, which fire as they move. Technical: this item is currently held on the same reel as IWM 1064-01b, the can is marked as IWM 1064-01 Remarks: really apocalyptic stuff, beautiful to look at but completely removed from the realities of tank trials or practical training exercises -- x -- Re. IWM 1064-01b, PATHE SUPER GAZETTE (1926) - MR WINSTON CHURCHILL INTERESTED SPECTATOR AT ALDERSHOT COMMAND MANOEUVRES [Main Title] Object description Newsreel item on Winston Churchill, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, visiting Army manoeuvres at Tidworth, summer 1926. Full description Churchill is escorted past a parade of 5th Battalion, Royal Tank Corps, drawn up with their Vickers Medium Mark I tanks. Also in the parade are Carden-Loyd Mark IV tankettes and Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost armoured cars. For the exercise the Vickers Mediums cross a bridge at high speed while Churchill watches. Following the tanks are two Infantry half-tracks of the Burford-Kegresse type and two Birch guns - self-propelled tracked 18-pounder field guns of IX Brigade.
