Primer colour Renault FT-17 during WWI?

[Duckwizard]

Does anybody know which colour the primer of the little Renault FT-17 had during the WWI-era? Guessing it had primer under the camo. Building the Meng kit currently.

 

Thx a lot for any input!

Edited October 4, 2019 by Duckwizard
just added some key words

[Duckwizard]

Let me answer this myself.

 

According to a site I found after hours of searching the FT had no base coat at all unlike other french WWI-tanks.

[Kingsman]

Having spoken to the Weald Foundation guys at Bovington Tankfest 2018, the first outing of their beautiful FT restorations, I believe no primer is correct.  They did extensive colour layer analysis in co-operation with a university.  Bovington at one time had their own pre-production FT in red oxide, presumably incorrectly.  Weald also discovered that the interior was 2-tone grey over white (or the other way round!).  And that the wheels and rollers leaked oil at a great rate: no seals!  However, theirs is not Renault-built and they did discover factory variations between their FT and TSF.

 

Their restoration can be viewed here, but you need to become a member to see the images. https://www.wealdfoundation.org/Collection/Tracked-Armour/2241-/Renault-FT#inDetail  I notice that they did red oxide prime some parts themselves

 

I would ask the Weald Foundation for confirmation of the primer situation.  They are the current experts.

 

 

[Duckwizard]

Thank you very much for your input. I knew if somebody knows something about this topic it is YOU.