MENG TS-008 French FT-17 Light Tank (Cast Turret)

[Sharkmouth]

Gaulish Elf – FT-17 Light Tank (Cast Turret) is Coming!

In 1917, FT-17 light tanks roared across the horizon and achieved a great success. Concept of this tank was raised by Jean-Baptiste Eugène Estienne who’s considered to be “Father of the Tank”in France. It’s designed by the talented designer Rodolphe Ernst Metzmaier and then manufactured by a French company, Renault. FT-17 light tank is considered as the earliest modern tank on the basis of its outstanding performance and design concept showing great foresight.

In order to commemorate this tank of great historic significance, MENG team represent this Ft-17 tank perfectly in 1:35 scale by taking all measurements of real FT-17 tank with the help of our German adviser and by studying a lot of historical documents and reference material.

This FT-17 light tank (cast turret) kit, numbered TS-008, consists of 10 plastic sprues totaling 404 parts, 1 PE fret totaling 9 parts and 6 metal parts including springs. Decals of four painting schemes are provided for tanks during WWI, WWII and the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland in consideration of long service experience of FT-17 tanks.

This TS-008 kit not only reproduces the exterior details of FT-17 tank, but also represent its internal equipment and structure to the maximum degree. All hatches can be built in open or closed position. When the hatches are open, complete power system, driver’s cabin and turret interiors will be presented, offering strong impression of this precision machine. This TS-008 kit has a compact looking by combining full interiors with small shape of the tank. Its movable suspension system reproduces the real structure. Cement-free workable track links are provided. Three weapons equipped as main weapon of FT-17 tank as well as a rack for Hotchkiss 8mm M1914 machine gun are provided for modeler’s choice.

 

[jknaus]

When will this be out Saul? Will definately be on the short list of must gets.
James

 

[lupanzer]

....a must have :geek .... thanks Saul!

:drinks


Luiz

 

[Iron Mike]

Ooooo la la, I might have to build one of those!

 

[Jeeves]

Definitely want this one...heading to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome this summer and I will have to get some good shots of the one they drive around there....

 

[Bagge]

Have 2 RPM FT-17's in the stash, not sure what's so special about those but the prices are crazy when you see them in a store!
This one would definately be a nice kit to have a look at any idea what the price will be on this one?
//Mats

 

[SA Dave]

I wonder if there will be a Patton camo option from WW2

 

[Sharkmouth]

I can't speak for pricing as that falls to the distributors in each area. As for when, can't state it yet.

I saw another post with images taken from PMMS. Below is the news release for MENG TS-006 1/35 Russian T-90A Main Battle Tank kit.

TS-006 is coming!



After two years of well preparation, MENG 1/35 Russian T-90A Main Battle Tank (kit No. TS-006) will be available soon. We hereby express our sincere thanks to Mr. Alexey Khlopotov (Алексей Хлопотов), our project advisor, for providing us strong support and help during the development of TS-006. Alexey Khlopotov (Алексей Хлопотов) is an experienced research specialist in Russian tanks. He knows the design and development of Soviet/Russian tanks very well and has rich research experience in its structure. He is a genuine expert on T-72 and T-90 with nearly twenty years of study. Besides, he has engaged in book publishing and often publishes articles about Russian tank history in various magazines. He has a blog site named “Gur Khan attacks”.



We have devoted tremendous energy and much time into the kit of TS-006. The kit consists of 1 303 parts on 26 plastic sprues (excluding PE frets, cable and poly caps), 10 PE parts on 3 frets (one of the PE frets carries road wheel paint mask which will offer great convenience to modelers), moreover, in order to make the model more realistic and interesting, we provide a TPE mantlet rain cover and two 1/35 scale crew helmets.



The kit of TS-006 reproduces all the external features and details of T-90A. The size is correct and accurate. The V-92S2 engine can be perfectly represented with open engine deck. Precise movable suspension system perfectly models the real thing, Cement-free workable double-pin tracks have optional rubber pads, With regard to painting options, the kit provides decals for Victory Day Parade (2008-2012) in Russia and some universal unit numbers and markings which can satisfy most modelers’ needs.



With regards to special decals (Volgograd and Rostov-on-Don Parade), you can get the free decal sheets when you have the following magazines: Armour Modelling, Hobbyworld, Model Military International and Super Model. These two special options are totally different from Moscow Victory Day Parade options. Besides, the special decal sheets include two sets of special unit markings.



In order to provide modelers with reference and detail material that they can refer to during building this kit, we have compiled the book T-90/T-90A Photo Album which consists of series of photographs and text. Modelers can have a clear understanding about the operation environment of this tank while they verify the details according to the photographs during building. The T-90/T-90A Photo Album (Simplified Chinese Edition) will be published by China Machine Press in June 2013 and the Japanese Edition will be published by HOBBYJAPAN in June 2013. Intense preparation for other language editions is in progress.

 

[jknaus]

Well I shouldnt have, but mine is on its way. If anyone gets those magazines mentioned and doesnt need the decals I would be happy to negotiate something. I can only get the mag in epub version.
Will let you know what it looks like when it arrives.
James