Tank Chats #8 Renault FT-17 | The Tank Museum

Conceived by General Jean-Baptiste Estienne and manufactured under the control of the Renault Company this was the world's first mass-produced tank, 3800 being built in all.

They went into action for the first time on 31 May 1918 near Ploissy-Chazelle and proved very successful when they were used in numbers. British forces used a few Renaults as liaison vehicles while the United States Army used them in combat and copied the design.

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[amerigo]

"One of them was commanded by a chap called George Patton who probably became more famous during the Second World War. He actually got shot in the backside during the First World War. Still, we've all got to suffer some bits and pieces." The narrator, David Fletcher MBE, is a national treasure.

[allewis]

Cute little thing, very well engineered with a nice, clean design. It's neat to think that every modern tank since heralds back to this little duckie.

[michaelemberley]

I was just amazed that the idler was made of wood.

[hunterfisher]

My great uncle was a tank commander in one of these during WW1 he loved it his had a 37mm gun on it . what a wonderful man we was I miss him very much.

[santiagoex]

There’s also one French platoon commanded by a Brazilian lieutenant. After the war he bring those tanks to home and become the first South American Armored Force! My respect to Lieutenant José Pessoa!

[AfroMyrdal]

This man is one I could listen to for days and days. He is just amazing. Love these videos guys, they are very enjoyable.

[burlatsdemontaigne]

You are absolutely guaranteed one genuine LOL with every one of Mr Fletcher's fantastic little films.

[gazzmilsom]

Got to hand it to the french for this one. small, cheap, well armoured (compared to british standard 14mm plate) and one mg with much better coverage than 2 female sponsons with 2 mgs each. And the separate crew/engine compartment, Carbon monoxide poisoning (and burning to death) was all part of the experience in british tanks of the day.

[Apollo_]

He should voice in Battlefield 1. We have lost objective Butter!

[foowashere]

Absolutely wonderful, I just wish they were longer and we had more of them. :)

[matt.s]

That is one person who I just wanna give the biggest hug

[excurrahee]

I really love this series, thank you for taking the time to put them out.

[romainrousseau]

Merci pour les sous-titres en français et pour les explications . Cool !

[TemplarX]

In black it looks so menacing and futuristic for some reason.

[bakomusha]

Other factoids include the fact that it was the most produced tank ever made till the T-34 and the widest exported tank till the T-55!

[Treblaine]

Well I'll be damned, the froggies made the best tank of WW1 and in huge numbers as well!

[anderssvensk]

😂 "Still, we've all got to suffer some bits and pieces." Priceless, Mr. Fletcher is the only one who can say it with such elegancy. 😂😆

[Hevyupgrade]

I love how off-handly Fletcher remarks on Patton getting shot in the arse... Almost likes it's an afterthought to him.

[wbnc]

A very nice example of the American M1917 ( our version of the FT-17) is setting in a museum in Danville NC. having a close look at it gave me a much improved impression of the sort of engineering and work that went into these little terrors

[jjab]

I love these videos, they are so interesting and enlightening. Please keep them coming.