Coen's FRENCH FT-17 LIGHT TANK (RIVETED TURRET) MENG

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:16 pm

This is my entry into the SIG.
MENG's FRENCH FT-17 LIGHT TANK (RIVETED TURRET) with the diorama base kit number TS-011.
http://www.meng-model.com/index2_new.php?id=243
(Mine won't look that good haha)

I ordered this kit from luckymodel a couple of weeks ago with the intention of entering it in the SIG.
Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Well... it still is.
This is my first MENG kit, so I was pretty excited about getting right into the build, and luckily the SIG had already started when it arrived so I could just dive right in.
I ran into problems on page one of the instructions and it's been a battle of the vague every since.
The fella who drew these instructions needs a sharper pencil or a sharper mind. Cause the silly beggar can't draw. It also doesn't help that the plastic is "Broncoesk", meaning it's brittle and difficult to work with.
The detail is off the scale (hence the brittle plastic... that is the trade-off), but the tiny parts are so easy to break that it's beginning to become boring fixing them or finding them all the damned time.
Though I managed to build 80% of the kit in one evening, I wouldn't recommend this kit to a new modeller. It's a bit of a handful.
Anyway... on to some photos.

The Kit...

The Instructions...

The sprues... in separate heat-sealed bags.

The build lasted only a couple of hours, spent on a hangout with Paul and the fellas.
I did the main hull assembly in about 20 minutes not including puzzling through the instructions.
Since this kit doesn't come with either a figure or a complete interior I decided to leave the hatches closed. I may pick up some German figures for the trench later if I can find some that would be appropriate.

This is where I actually decided to close the hatches and button her up completely.
The crispness of the details on this thing are spectacular.

There is a tiny amount of PE to dress up some detail here and there.

A mock up of the diorama base with the 17 on top so I can judge the size of the thing.
There were a number of fit issues with the base that need to be addressed.

So that's if for now. It probably won't take too long to build this as I'm not doing a video build of it at all.
Just here.
The painting and the base will take a bit of time though. I'm not sure how well that base will look.
I'm not a fan of these kinds of bases. We'll see.

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:51 pm

It tiny mate but look good so far I'm sure you will knock that base in shape in no time.

5Craven · Post by **5Craven** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:25 pm

Nice start on this one. You are really getting into these tiny tanks aren't you?

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:28 pm

looking good buddy real nice touch that it comes with the base in the box "mengtastic"

Jan01 · Post by **Jan01** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:34 pm

Nice one Coen, look forward to seeing the end product.

Jamesday1998 · Post by **Jamesday1998** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:16 pm

looks great coen!
i am looking forward to the final product especially with the vignette!!
kutgw

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:30 pm

Thanks guys, I'm not the only one building this kit either.
At first I thought that Robert was building the one with the full interior.
I didn't realise it was the same until I'd already posted my build and then went to read his.
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 285&t=7956
Sorry about that Robert.

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:38 pm

Fantastic start Mike, i love the FT-17, such a teeny tank...

There are numerous Youtube video's showing these "first real" Tanks being driven about..
I have downloaded the PDF listing the surviving Ft-17's and your Renault FT “Five of Hearts“
is shown at Fort Meade, MD (USA)

Here's a link to the .pdf

http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_FT-17.pdf

a little slow to load but can be saved as a pdf for off line viewing..

Good luck buddy, i have an FT in an old Matchbox 1/76 scale kit... 30+ years old and unopened..

Maybe i might open it up and give it a build??
Take care Mate, i'm hanging round your thread for a bit, waiting for the next update...

" Munch...Munch...... Hangout...BURP..."

robertw · Post by **robertw** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:53 pm

Coen wrote:Thanks guys, I'm not the only one building this kit either.
At first I thought that Robert was building the one with the full interior.
I didn't realise it was the same until I'd already posted my build and then went to read his.
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 285&t=7956
Sorry about that Robert.

No worries man. In fact I like seeing how the pros tackle the same kit that I'm building.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 3:52 am

I'm no pro Robert. I'm just a schmo that likes playing with plastic like everybody else.

Thanks for that PDF Andy... that's going to be wickedly handy! And you should definitely give that FT-17 of yours a go.
If anything for the sake of the commemoration.
Speaking of Burrp!!! you need to join us on a hang out some time sweety.

The boys would probably love to have you drop by. I know I would.

So here's my update for today.
I managed to mock up the base and clean up the parts that will go on it. My wife was looking at it and said that I can do better than that.
She said it looks like someone melted crayons and stuck barbie furniture in it.
Blunt anyone?
haha.
I love her cause she's the only person that I know that will call me on being an asshole.... shut up Paul.... Lee.... the rest of ya.

So I'll be re-working that base then. haha.
I also got the running gear and tracks assembled.
No easy task... they're over engineered and you need to be really good and managing parts to put these bits together.
I wasn't and there was a lot of swearing.
The entire thing was a bit of a styrene part showoff by MENG. They could have done it in a much simpler way. Less parts.

Ether way, here's a few photos of where she sits now.

The base mocked up.

The inner roadwheels.

All of the sub-assemblies for one set of running gear.

And all assembled minus the tracks.

The tracks are wonderful and just click together. 32 all together per side.

Both sets of running gear installed with the tracks on.

Mocked up on the base.

robertw · Post by **robertw** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 4:44 am

Coming along good. I must admit that it's a deceivingly difficult kit. More so than I anticipated. Doesn't help that it's effing tiny for 1/35 scale! It'd be hysterical to see a 1/72 version.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:15 am

1/72 I'd lose in my styrene shavings on my bench!

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:34 pm

Lol.....

The 1/76 scale FT-17 measures a rather tiny 6.5cm....
A little over 2 inches long..

If I build it I'm worried I might lose it!

We will see..

Maybe for commemorative sakes...
As for the Hang out sessions.... I will be there.....Soon.....
Hopefully anyways...

Good luck both Mike and Rob with these little beauties..
... awaiting the scratch building on that display now..

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:18 pm

I don't seem to be able to leave this thing alone.
It's all built now.

Not too much in the way of drama, a couple of pain in arse bits, but in the end it looks the part to me.
When I was finished I was a little disappointed when I looked at the sprue map (I only look at the sprue map at the end of a build) to double check the "not for use" parts. There was no call out for the "not for use" parts.
That makes it a bit annoying to double check that you've assembled everything.
There weren't many bits left over so there's not much of a contribution to the spares bin.

The only PITA bits were the commander's sling inside the turret and the engine bustle. The two bits of assembly required a lot of double tweezer manipulations and attention to the instructions... which aren't that hot.

I built mine with the 37mm gun over the machine gun which allows me to have the MG assembled and set up next to the tank.
I don't know if I'll leave it that way though. I'll be stripping the base and trying to dress it up anyway.

So here is how she looks now. It's on to painting now.

The bustle was fiddle little bugger.

The turret assembled.

Fully built mock up

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:50 pm

That looks so cool mate.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:05 pm

cracking kit i want this kit

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 7:56 pm

Looking great dude.

I love that is comes with its own diorama base.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:12 pm

Thanks guys, I'm hoping to start the painting in a few days or so. I want to see about finishing my KV-1 that I'm building or moving further ahead with the panther that I'm working on for the dangerous cats SIG.

Jamesday1998 · Post by **Jamesday1998** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:07 pm

damn that looks cool!!
awesome work with the construction! i cant wait to see the paint and the weathering go on it!

alextheblue · Post by **alextheblue** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:37 pm

She's a little stunner Mike!

When I first saw it came with a base, I thought, ooh, that's a good idea, but I can see why you might have your reservations about. If there's one thing for certain, you're definitely the man to knock it into shape.

It's looking like another winner to me!!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:25 pm

Thanks Fellas.
Blushin.

Jan01 · Post by **Jan01** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:39 pm

Looking good Mike, its coming along well..

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:38 pm

That's a cool looking kit....it even has suspension springs in place!

martin57 · Post by **martin57** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:02 pm

thats a nice looking kit , never done one of those , now i ve seen it might give it a go .
it will be intersting to see what you do with base

TechHead · Post by **TechHead** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:14 pm

Wow, nice job! I'm really liking the look of the overall diorama.

I'll be starting my Emhar Female Mk IV tank shortly, just need to finish off my D-Day build first.

All the best with the rest of the build,

Simon

Prop72 · Post by **Prop72** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:20 am

That looks excellent, Mike

When do you sleep?

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:05 pm

Lately.... never. haha.
It's been a really rough week. I haven't been sleeping so I've been building instead.
I just finished a Russian T-70M to go with my Kursk GB this morning.
I hate PTSD.

wappynutter · Post by **wappynutter** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:13 pm

Sending BIG manhugs dude...

Hope the PTSD eases up a little soon and you can grab some Zzzzz.....
On a plus, still loving this FT matey....
......And still tempted with my teeny one...

Continued success Buddy..

Schoof · Post by **Schoof** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:50 pm

WOW MIKE

you're gonna make this one shine until the next milenium. ..... I have my work cut out for me

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:18 pm

How so? Are you going to build one?

Schoof · Post by **Schoof** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:21 pm

Coen wrote:How so? Are you going to build one?

Yup won one yesterday on ebay and gonna pick it up in about 3 weeks. ....

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:29 pm

Ah! Cool. You won't be competing with me Seb, if that's what you mean.
I don't enter the contest, I just participate.
I just like the fun, I can't handle the stress of prizes.

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:53 pm

Just catching up with this one. Looks really good, and sounds like you're enjoying it (part from the pita bits!) looking forward to seeing what you do with the base. KUTGW Coen

HamilkarBarkas · Post by **HamilkarBarkas** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:14 pm

You did not get stuck in the trenches for sure, really cool progress

makes me want to continue on mine, but the engine parts do not really fit into the hull which is weird. i have to figure out a solution.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:26 pm

That's really odd Michael, MENG are supposed to be awesome for fits.
Is it a defect with the kit do you think?

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:58 pm

That looks great Mike. Despite its challenges you are knocking it into shape. I like the base too - quite dramatic

HamilkarBarkas · Post by **HamilkarBarkas** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 2:21 pm

Coen wrote:That's really odd Michael, MENG are supposed to be awesome for fits.
Is it a defect with the kit do you think?

I think i made a mistake, but i can´t really detect it. i might remove the engine and show only the fighting compartement in opened position. I plan to build it as a museum vehicle with a little diorama.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 12:09 am

You mentioned that before about the museum dio. I'm really curious as to your plans for that.
It should be really interesting.
I'd also considered modelling mine with the fighting compartment open, but I don't have any WWI figures. I may get some yet though.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:48 pm

Coen wrote:You mentioned that before about the museum dio. I'm really curious as to your plans for that.
It should be really interesting.
I'd also considered modelling mine with the fighting compartment open, but I don't have any WWI figures. I may get some yet though.

Manta Figurines do a nice set for the FT (the commander hanging out of the side hatch is particularly good) http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/n ... rines.html

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 3:32 am

Those are fantastic Rob, I'd have to rethink the dio quite a bit to use those but it may be worth it. They're wonderful.

Thanks bud.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 9:24 am

I've been picking away at this over the last few days hoping that I'll get it finished before Friday... I think that I might.
There's not much left to do to it.
Just gloss coat, wash, weathering, then the environmental effects on the actual tank. That's two days.
The dio needs base paint, pigments and fine details. There's not much of those... it's a blasted waste land.

I've tossed the original base in the bin, but I kept the little wooden bits and the sandbags. I mad a few more wooden bits myself to fill in the holes.
The tank is base painted and decaled now and today I'll gloss cote and start the weathering.

Here's the progress shots of how she's doing.

Base painted as per the call out on the instruction sheet... in fact, I happened to have all three colours in my stocks.

I purposely switched the front wheel colours... in case you're wondering. I also didn't paint the camo exactly like it was on the call out either.

The basic outline of the camo

The tracks painted in AMMO track paints.

Then I did the fine details and rusted up the exhaust...

I tossed the original vignette base and built my own. Eventually I'll be adding figures, but they'll never arrive in time, even if I could decide one what ones I wanted to use... which I haven't been able to as yet.
This still needs to be painted, right now it's just dirt coloured celluclay, kitty litter, a couple of different kinds of sand, and some small gravel.

A mock up of where the tank might go. Still inspired by the original layout of the vignette base...

Sand bags and the machine gun...

Sand bags, ammo boxes (at least that's what I think that they are) and the machine gun base painted....

And finally for today... Decals applied. I'll be replacing the tiny #5 that's on the turret with a different number.

felisbarcinonensis · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 9:48 pm

Looking awesome! Love the camo base and... that trench!!! It's already eye candy

Cheers mate!

Nev · Post by **Nev** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:26 pm

Looking real nice there!! Can't wait to see it all together

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 4:29 am

Thanks fellas.

Tonight's progress...

Painted the base colours on the ground cover. Just thinned crappy craft acrylic from the art store.
Then I glued the added all the bits and bobs. Sand bags, machine gun, etc

Then I added the FT-17 trying to find the best position...

I decided to add a few exploded trees and stained them with oils.

Then some puddles... I had this stuff called Realistic Water in my cupboard and thought that I'd give it a try.
I added a bit of colour to it to mud it up a bit. Once it dries I'll add another layer.

Tomorrow I'll start the weathering of the FT-17 then add the dirt, mud and dust to her.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 4:15 pm

This morning I managed to finish it off.

I completed the weathering on the tank with the rust and fuel/oil stains, then I added the environmental effects with the dirt and dust and a small amount of mud.
No drama or difficulties presented themselves this time... the biggest problem I had with this part was my runny nose... damned colds!

Anyway... here is the final series of photos of the build before the final reveal.

Here she is with here rust and streaking applied.

Then a drybrushing of vallejo air gungrey on all the corners and leading edges.

Now that the weathering is finished, on to environmental effects.... bring on zee dirt!

I also rusted up the exhaust properly this time haha.

And.... she's done....!!!

A shot of here before moving to the photo booth.

HamilkarBarkas · Post by **HamilkarBarkas** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 7:47 pm

This looks superb, i really like the camo! It is not eay to apply that on such an oddly shaped vehicle. Well done, the diorama definately puts it into the right atmospehre

I´d love to see some figures there, if you wish i could provide you some late war Germans from ICM.

AchtungPanzer · Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 11:06 pm

HamilkarBarkas wrote:This looks superb, i really like the camo! It is not eay to apply that on such an oddly shaped vehicle. Well done, the diorama definately puts it into the right atmospehre I´d love to see some figures there, if you wish i could provide you some late war Germans from ICM.

EXACTLY MATE

with figures good idea

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 12:09 am

Thanks Michael, thanks Eyrk.

HamilkarBarkas wrote:This looks superb, i really like the camo! It is not eay to apply that on such an oddly shaped vehicle. Well done, the diorama definately puts it into the right atmospehre I´d love to see some figures there, if you wish i could provide you some late war Germans from ICM.

iCM? I haven seen them Michael. Do you have the kit numbers? I'd like to see what they look like.
This dio really could use some, but all that I've seen so far I wasn't happy with.

rodrant · Post by **rodrant** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:34 pm

Hi Coen ,

I suppose that Michael is mentioning kit 35291 , WWI German Assault Troops , you may want to see images of the sprues in my WW1 Building thread :

See in end of page 2 , you may see the box and the sprues

http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.p ... 5&start=10

I'm not an expert , even far from that , they were my 3rd figure set built , but think they are very nice , different from Tamiya's but they make a very nice bunch that I used im my WW1 Dio , If you can buy the ICM's Armament set , the Helmets are more perfect and you have a lot of weapons to use different thatn the ones that the figures bring , may see the weapons set in my thread also .

Hope that this help .

Deacon · Post by **Deacon** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:40 pm

Another superb dio and build mate.