The Renault FT Light Tank (Vanguard) [Paperback]

Steven Zaloga (Author), Peter Sarson (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850458528
• ISBN-13: 978-0850458527
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,538,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steven Zaloga is a senior analyst for Teal Group Corp., an aerospace consulting firm. His professional specialization is the commercial and technological aspects of the international trade in missiles, precision guided munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles. He also serves as an adjunct staff member with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think-tank.

Mr. Zaloga has published numerous books and articles on military technology and military history. His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He has been a special correspondent for "Jane's Intelligence Review" and is on the executive board of the "Journal of Slavic Military Studies". From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/director for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series "Firepower" that aired on The Discovery Channel in the US.

Mr. Zaloga was born in 1952 and received his BA in history from Union College, Schenectady, NY. He received an MA in history from Columbia University specializing in modern East European history, and did graduate research and language study at Uniwersitet Jagiellonski in Krakow, Poland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Real Tank, April 7, 2011

By 

Robert L. Piepenbrink - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Renault FT Light Tank (Vanguard) (Paperback)

Yes, I know: the British rhomboids and two types of French pillboxes on treads preceded it--but the Renault FT was revolutionary--the first production tank with main armament in a rotating turret, making it the great-grandfather of today's M-1's, T-80's and Merkavas. Fast, cheap, and reliable (by WWI standards)the FT was made in unprecedented quantities--3,800 in France, and almost another 1,000 in the United States as the "Six-ton tank." It would remain in service almost 30 years and all over the world. Zaloga writes that its last combat action was in 1945 in Hanoi. Regenberg and Scheibert say Germany was still using captured models for rear security into the same year. This is as good as you'll do in English on this important AFV.
Format is a standard Osprey "Vanguard"--48 pages, numerous photographs and eight color plates showing various marking and camouflage patterns, and crew uniforms in French service. Those interested may also want to buy Zaloga's "New Osprey" FRENCH TANKS OF WORLD WAR I, in which he says that some FT's were still being used as pillboxes in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion. Anyone want to bet against the FT not being out of service even yet?