Hi Folks,
Has anyone read and used the Squadron walk around book for a FT-17 / M1917 build project?
If so, what is your review.
Is it worth the purchase?
Thanks

Jeffrey,

I borrowed the Squadron Signal "FT-17/M1927 WWI Tanks Walk Around" book by David Doyle from a fellow clubmate. I plan to use this when I build a Meng 1/35 FT-17 and a Flyhawk 1/72 FT-17 kits.

Since I haven't used it, yet, do you have any questions I might be able to answer?

The book is 80 pages long, contains the following:

- two B&W period photos of a British Mk IV and a German A7V
- three line drawings (1 of FT-17, 1 of M1917, 1 of Tail Skid difference)
- a General Date Table (FT-17 & M1917)
- 12 color photos of a Renault FT-17 Training Vehicle w/ Hotchkiss 8mm MG (Tank Museum)
- 43 color photos of a Renault FT-17 "Five of Hearts" w/ 37mm Puteaux Semi-Auto Cannon (Ft. Meade, MD)
- 17 color photos of restored FT-17 w/ Hotchkiss 8mm MG (Patton Museum)
- 2 color photos of a FT-17 w/ Hotchkiss 8mm MG (Australian collection)
- 43 color photos of a Renault FT-17 w/ Swiss MG-11 7.5mm MG (Panzermuseum, Switzerland)
- 24 color photos of a Renault FT-17 modified w/ 7.5mm Reibel MG (Saumur Tank Museum)
- 12 color photos of a late production Renault FT-17 w/ 37mm Puteaux Semi-Auto Cannon in a Berliet Turret (Belgium Royal Armed Forces Museum)
- 14 color photos of a M1917 w/ a Marlin 0.30 cal Tank MG (PA Military Museum)
- 10 color photos of a M1917 Prototype (US Ordnance Museum)
- 17 color photos of a M1917 w/ Browning M1919 0.30 cal MG (Military Vehicle Technology Foundation)
- 39 color photos of a M1917 w/ late-type M1917 37mm Gun in Bsll Mount w/ Shield (Ropkey Armor Museum)

This book is well worth it if you plan to build a FT-17 or converting a kit to a M1917. Squadron Signal has the SC book for $17.99.

[EDIT] Other than the two B&W pictures mentioned, all of the pictures are of restored tanks in museums or collections. While there are excellent interior and exterior details contained in the book, there are obvious missing items such as storage boxes, tie-down straps, tools, etc. Therefore, you will need to look to other sources for these missing details if you want to replicate period accuracy. [EDIT]