Plastic model kit with decals.

The French light infantry tank Renault FT-17 (Renault FT M1917) was probably the most revolutionary tank design in history. It was the first tank with a rotating turret, and it became a model tank. The prototype was constructed in 1917, and more than 3800 were produced. The tank was widely used in the battles of the First World War beginning on May 31st, 1918. After WWI, they were exported to many countries. For most of these countries, it was their first tank. Most of the produced tanks were still in service at the outbreak of WWII, although they were completely obsolete by then.

In April-May 1919, in the Polish Army of Gen. Haller in France, the 1st tank regiment was formed. The unit, based on the former French 505th tank regiment, was equipped with 120 of the most modern light tanks, the Renault FT-17. In June 1919, the 1st tank regiment, along with Gen. Haller's Army, returned to Poland with all the equipment. Thanks to this, Poland became the fourth biggest armoured power in the world.

The 1st tank regiment was equipped with 120 tanks FT-17: 75 armed with a 37mm gun Puteaux SA-18 L/21, and 45 armed with a 8mm Hotchkiss Mle.14 MG (the other source states 72 and 48 respectively). The regiment consisted of 5 companies, divided between 2 battalions. Each company had 3 tank platoons. One platoon consisted of 5 tanks: 3 gun-armed, including a commander's tank, and 2 MG-armed ones.

The Polish Army had 174 Renault tanks, 102 were serviceable at he outbreak of WW2. The Renault FT came in 3 variations: 8 mm Hotchkis machine gun, 37 mm Puteaux gun, and a radio equipped command version. In the 1930's the MG version of this tank was rearmed with the 7.92mm wz.25 MG Polish modification of the Hotchkiss. In mid-1939, there were 102 Renault FT tanks still in service. The 2nd Armored Battalion (the mobilization and training unit, not the 7-TP combat battalion) had 70 (including 12 trainers). The 1st and 2nd Armored Train Squadrons each had 16 used as "drezyna" escorts (tank propelled rail platforms).

Czolg skonstruowano w roku 1916 i wprowadzono do sluzby jako Char Legar Renault FT Modele 1917. Jego konstrukcja w swoim czasie byla rewelacyjna, a zasadnicze rozwiazania stosowane sa do dzis. FT-17 roznych wersji wykorzystano w wielu konfliktach regionalnych lat dwudziestych i trzydziestych a takze w okresie II wojny swiatowej. W skladzie armii polskiej formowanej we Francji pod dowodztwem gen. Jozefa Hallera powstal 1. pulk czolgow wyposazony w Renault FT-17 w ilosci 120 sztuk. W czerwcu 1919 roku przybyl on do kraju.

Pulk wzial udzial w walkach z bolszewikami od sierpnia 1919 r. do konca wojny 1920r. Po raz ostatni w armi polskiej "Renowki" zostaly uzyte podczas obrony Brzescia w wojnie 1939r. obleganego ze wschodu przez Armie Czerwona, z zachodu przez armie niemiecka.

• Scale 1:35
• Straight forward illustrated assembly instruction
• Some Polish language instruction, not crucial for successful assembly
• Paint and glue not included