I needed more FT-17s for a Torch
game I was planning. Matchbox makes a really nice one, although
with an octagonal turret (my understanding is that the round turret was
far more common). But it comes in a larger, expensive, double kit
with the Char B1bis. I already had 4 of these Char B1bis, though,
unfortunately I'd lost two of the FT-17s some years ago (along with a large
number of other completed models as a result of my ex-wife before I could
evacuate my collection to a safer location). Although I like the
Char B1 kit a lot, I really did not want another 4 of them, even though
I really wanted 4 more FT-17s! I thus figured since the FT-17 has
very few curves, it would be a relatively simple project. |
I used the "surviving" FT-17 models
as my main reference, along with some good pictures from various books.
Here all 6 FT-17s, the Matchbox kits and the 4 scracth-builts, socialize. |
Everything, including the tracks
are made from plastic card, dowels/rods. |
More shots of the scratch-built
tanks. |
The underside of one of the tanks.
The cylindrical piece of red plastic is used as a "stiffener" so the otherwise
fragile sides of the models can withstand handling during games. |
