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Two FT-17s were bought by Switzerland in the 1920s for trials.

Since no records exist about this tank it's not possible to know if it's one of the original two or it was acquired after WW II, together with german tanks that are now visible in the Panzermuseum.

This tank was stored outdoor for decades:
www.preservedtanks.com...p;Select=4

This has been fully restored in 2006-2009. On May 29, 2009, it was in running condition again. For the restoration, original parts has been extensively used, but the transmission, radiator and some small parts were replaced with newly-built parts.

Very special thanks to Tobias and Martin Haudenschild, both for their hard restoration work and for helping me during the visit.

You can see the attention to the details, another impressive job:









In the past I had the impression FT-17's sprockets were made of wood. Seems like there were metal ones too. Anybody has additional information?





The interior is just perfect





Massimo

- Massimo_Foti

In the past I had the impression FT-17's sprockets were made of wood. Seems like there were metal ones too. Anybody has additional information?

Here you can see an FT-17 wheel with wood sheets :





Compared to an FT-17 wheel with metal sheets :





Compared to the M1917 wheel, really typical of the tank :





For further information, this has been discussed there :

http://www.com-central.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10456&start=15

P-O

Massimo's photo's are now up at PTC (along with a link to the Renault factory):

Unique ID 817: Thun SHP FT

The Thun FT-17 appears to be armed with a water-cooled machine gun (M1917A1????). Anybody have any input on this, apparently unique, FT-17 armament?

The linked photos to the same tank when on outside display show no armament at that time.

Thanks,
David Doyle

It's an MG 11:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_11
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_11

Massimo

Thank you for the identification of the weapon Massimo.

Do you (or anyone else) know how this armament came to be used on this tank?

Thanks!

Sincerely,
David Doyle

- ddoyle

Do you (or anyone else) know how this armament came to be used on this tank?

I guess that there are some ammunitions issues.
That is to say, it would have been better for the Swiss not to have a French weapon on their tanks, because in case of war, they would have had problems to get the right ammunitions if they come from a foreign country.

P-O

The Swiss army used, and still uses, 7.5x55mm cartridges:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...55mm_Swiss

Massimo

- Massimo_Foti

In the past I had the impression FT-17's sprockets were made of wood. Seems like there were metal ones too. Anybody has additional information?

As far as I can figure out the metal leaf versions were introduced as part of the M1921 series of upgrades on a 'when neccessary' basis.