Meng French Renault FT in 1:35 scale

Meng makes a round, cast turret FT and this one with eight, bolted plates. The kit is very nice with tight-fitting parts free from ejector pin marks and other flaws. Parts line up very well. The tracks are separate links and snap together for a workable run. A new box made from balsa had straps added. The straps were made from paper with photo-etched brass screen buckles.

It was painted to depict an FT serving with the French in WW1. The French tanks were base painted in green and camouflaged with a light green, tan, brown or light grey. This model was painted with Ammo of Mig paints using the same brand of thinner.

It was painted to depict an FT serving with the French in WW1. The French tanks were base painted in green and camouflaged with a light green, tan, brown or light grey. This model was painted with Ammo of Mig paints using the same brand of thinner. The black number decals were made with a computer and printed on clear decal film. It was weathered with artists’ oil paint washes and both wet and dry pigments. Dry pigments applied by brush were fixed by spraying Tamiya acrylic thinner through an airbrush. Grease stains are Mars Black artists’ oil paint mixed with odorless thinner. The exhaust was undercoated with rust tones, chipping fluid and then the base color, which was chipped off using water.