Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

This section is for builds that are not strictly Tamiya or Heng Long. For instance, replacing the electronics from a WSN or Matorro, or even a scratch-build.
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lmcq11
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Thank you Pathfinder

B_man, that 37mm WW1 round is interesting and a nice souvenir. My father purchased a real 88mm King tiger shell 20 years ago, it was huge. But when my father passed away 2 years ago, my mother could not wait to get rid of his stuff in the garage and gave it to the 1-800-Got-Junk guys before I knew it... No hard feelings, I should have known better and been proactive.

This post is for the electronics and has a test Video at the end.

Sadly, no room for gun elevation, the micro servo I have is just not small enough to fit in the small turret. The limited elevation that the gun allows and the size of the gun would not have provided much excitement anyway. I could have tried harder but saw no other benefit than my ego. A custom gun recoil mechanism is made and linked to a Emax recoil servo.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
The model features;
- 35RCTANK Control board
- twin gearbox
- Turret rotation (80 degrees total)
- Gun recoil
- Gun flash
- Engine and gun sound

The electronics are laid out and tested.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Turret rotation is provided by a medium size servo connected under the turret and it slides between two plasticard pieces when closing the top lid on the hull. Its quite simple and provides about 40 degrees turret rotation to both sides, enough to have some good action.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
The electronics are installed in the hull. As I want to reuse this control board on future small builds, its only temporarily laid out inside the hull. There is not much room anyway for the guys who like them cleanly laid out and fixed.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Its a load off, it all fits in the hull.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Here is a YOUTUBE video of the testing of the electronics in action. I am hoping the 3.7V battery on order will provide more control over the gearbox and slow down the vehicle.

https://youtu.be/ZWx09TPGHng
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
The next step is to finish the construction, just a few parts remaining mainly on the turret and the tools, and then the painting phase.

Regards,

Louis
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Model Builder 4
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by Model Builder 4 »

Another great build in the making Louis :clap: what sound set did you get with the 35rctank.com Acu unit ? :thumbup:

Cheers, Lee.
Me ? Addicted ? Never !! :crazy:
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lmcq11
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Posts: 2603
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:42 pm
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Model Builder 4 wrote:what sound set did you get with the 35rctank.com Acu unit ?
Thank you, I had asked for the M113 sound.

Here, the construction is finished. Tools and chains will be put on after painting. Here are a few last pictures before painting.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Regards, Louis
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lmcq11
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Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Hi,
This post is for the painting and weathering phase, a 6 hour task.

The model is painted with MIG acrylic Olive green, tracks will be painted black.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
As the camo on WW1 FT tanks was obviously hand painted with a brush (no air pressure paint gun), clean lines need to be made to replicate the style seen on reference pictures. Masking tape is used to prepare the model for the camo scheme application, vaguely inspired by the better looking models I have seen on the web. The very colourful paint schemes provided with the Takom instructions and some restored models are not specifically appealing to me, even if authentic. I preferred something more subdued.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
A desert sand color for camo is applied and Takom decals are selected and installed without trying to replicate a specific real model.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Then as usual, my weathering style is composed of a dry application of black pigments in every corners and low areas, then everything is dry brushed with Dark Steel pigments, including the tracks. Then pigment fixer is sprayed on the model using the paint brush. With my somewhat limited painting skills, its quick and provide good results. sadly, I never mastered the "wash" technique, and I am not patient enough to spend 2 weeks painting a model. Lets stick to what works for each of us...
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Superb model quality, Bravo Takom and thank you. For the 50$ I paid for this model kit and the 100$ I spent on equipping it for RC, it is a real bargain and a pleasure to build. Making it RC capable was a good challenge. It's also small and this solves the storage space issue that is becoming dramatic.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Showing the interior electronics. The Takom plastic model comes with a full detailed interior. This model is begging me for another static one with interior.
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
I brought the model for an outside photoshoot. See following post.
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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lmcq11
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by lmcq11 »

Exterior Photoshoot
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
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c.rainford73
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by c.rainford73 »

I'm in awe of your modeling skills Louis simply outstanding and your speed of completion is unbelievable
Tanks alot.... :wave:
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lmcq11
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Posts: 2603
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:42 pm
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by lmcq11 »

A few more pics and close ups.

Best regards, Louis
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
Renault FT 1/16 RC build
This is it, the build is over, hope you liked it.
Last edited by lmcq11 on Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Soeren
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by Soeren »

Fantastic result. :thumbup: :clap:
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c.rainford73
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by c.rainford73 »

Really like the subtle colors and weathering
Tanks alot.... :wave:
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Model Builder 4
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Re: Renault FT - French Army WW1 tank- Build

Post by Model Builder 4 »

Great build Louis :clap: look forward to seeing the video of it with all it's functions working now that it's complete :thumbup:

Cheers, Lee
Me ? Addicted ? Never !! :crazy:
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