RPM:s 1/72 FT-17
A First Look by Grzegorz Mazurowski

Kit is very good, but a bit difficult to build, as it contains a lot of small parts. Number of decal options is incredible (about 12 for only the Berliet/gun version!). Tracks are soft, some kind of the hard black rubber. (For a longer review by Grzegorz, click here!)

Click on the thumbnails below to look at scans of the Kits sprues:

                         

Andrew Bunneys comment: I got the kit just before xmas, and it looks excellent. A few sinks in places that can't be seen if you install all the stowage boxes. There was some very minor incomplete molding on the bottom edge of the hull sides, not enough to hamper building and it wont be seen on the finished kit. The return rollers are fiddly, and I really must get rid of my grey carpet! The plastic is quite soft, so you have to be careful, especially where the sprue's join the parts which can be a bit thick and blobby. Also the rear plate needs trimming and chamfering to get it to fit. But overall its a very good model but it's not a completely straightforward build.


Peter Kempfs own comments: I think it is safe to say that this is a good kit! The level of detail is very good - yes, unlike their earlier Ford A/C kit, this one comes with rivets. And RPM seem do have done their homework: there are several different Idlers, several different Sprockets, all fitting to the different variants due to be issued, and the Hotchkiss MG:s - often a big disappointment in other kits - are really excellent. All hatches can be shown in a open position, and the kit really welcomes you to add a full interior. Click here to see an RPM FT-17 interior in progress, by German modeler Andreas Holndonner. In the kit, both the 37mm gun and the MG are portrayed in full. The rivet detail is also super. I for one does NOT deplore the lack of individual track-links, which I personally often find annoying, and adding a lot to the complexity of the kit. Another really good news, is the decals. People who model WW1 AFV:s are not spoiled when it comes to the decals,  but getting 12 different variants that is really SUPER! RPM is setting the standard here! (For a more comprehensive review of RPM:s FT-17 kits, discussing the problems in more detail, click here!)

The final verdict: few kits have left me with a reaction so schizofrenic. On one hand: the level of detail is absolutely FABULOUS! Everything is here. Nothing is missing. On the other hand: it is a HORRIBLY complicated build. After you tried one, it takes a lot of resolve to do another one. I guess that this will be kit more admired in the box than actually put together.