LT Renault FT in Czechoslovak service - "First of many"

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LT Renault FT in Czechoslovak service

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History

The Renault FT is tank that was introduced in the Great War, with it being the first tank with fully rotatable turret and being able to be equipped with either machine gun or cannon. During and after the great war, this tank saw success in export, being exported to many nations such as Afganistan, Poland, United States and many more nations, among these was Czechoslovakia.

After the end of the great war, the new nation of Czechoslovakia immidietly started looking for tanks, with the first talks between France and Czechoslovakia being started in 1919 for the purchase, these talks were unsuccesful. Later in 1921 Czechoslovak representatives finally made a breaktrough with the French and purchased single Renault FT with puteaux SA-18, this tank was delivered in 1922. This tank served primarily for familiarization with this new technology. In 1923 Czechoslovakia ordered more Renault FT tanks for the training of new crew members. Among these orders was single Renault TSF which does not have any arnament and has a radio station inside.

In Czechoslovakia, Renault FT was known as “Lehký Tank Renault FT” (Light Tank Renault FT). These tanks served in Czechoslovak service till 1938, first tank being used for parts in 1933. Czechoslovakia sought no purpose in these tanks in-case of war broke out, due to their age and bad arnament.

During May Uprising in 1945 in Czechoslovakia, Czech resistence saw themselves facing the old tank, with it being used by German forces. Most likely being one of the few that survived Czechoslovak service just to enter the German one.

Characteristics

Armament

  • 3,7cm kanon Puteaux SA-18
    • -8° degrees of depresion, +18° degrees of elevation
    • Firerate: 10-15 rounds/minute
    • Munition
      • 3,7 cm granát Mle. 1892 (APHE) - ~13mm of penetration at 0° at range of 0 meters
      • 3,7 cm granát Mle. 1916 (HE) - 30 grams of explosive filler
      • 3,7 cm granát Mle.1908 (Canister) - 19 steel balls
      • 3,7 cm granát Mle. 1918 (Canister) - 24 steel balls
        • Ammunition count: 237

Crew

  • Driver
  • Gunner

Mobility

  • Engine: 39 hp Renault 18 CV
  • Transmission: Manual 4+1
  • Top speed of 7,8 kph
  • Weight: 6700 kg

Armour

  • Hull
    • Front - 16mm
    • Side- 8mm
    • Back - 8mm
  • Turret
    • Front - 22mm
    • Side - 22mm
    • Back - 22mm

Dimensions

  • Lenght: 5000mm
  • Height: 2140mm
  • Width: 1740mm
Pictures

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Training for Renault FT

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Sources

https://k.sina.cn/article_6433820039_17f7c4d8700100k4gu.html
Muzeum Milovice Renautl FT
Fronta.cz - Renault FT v CSR
Puteaux SA-18 - wikipedia
SA18 - Valka.cz
Renault FT - Rota Nazdar
Armament of Polish armoured vehicles 1918-39 Part II: Cannons
Renault FT - Valka.cz
Renault FT - VHU.CZ

1 Like
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+1, when we see a Rank 0.

1 Like
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The Renault is a tank I was surprised did not make it into WW1 event. Then again they are a excellent tank for the era to the point Germany saw a use in using them for security / squad support in WW2.

Any tank is better then no tank as the saying goes.