Photo of my grandfather, a Renault FT-17 tank driver in 1940

[Kermit3D]

A picture I like a lot of my grandfather. He was a Renault FT-17 tank driver in 1940
A tank designed during the ww1, still in use during the ww2 !

I also have a picture of him with a beautiful leather jacket from the French army, I have to find it...

 

[Smithy]

Brilliant photo!

 

[Silver Surfer]

jeezelouise, that tank is tiny. looks like a built out bread box with an upside down coffee cup up top. good looks fella your gramps.

 

[Kermit3D]

There were only 2 people in the tank. No radio.
My grandfather used to tell me that when the gunner in the turret wanted to go left, he would hit the driver's back with his left knee !

 

[ausreenactor]

Crisp detail in the pic! Great photo, thank you.

 

[Kermit3D]

I found other pictures of my grandfather and many other documents, including a notebook where he tells all his military service during the beginning of the Second World War !
On these pictures, he is wearing a leather jacket "modèle 35". It is the the French tank crews jacket.

 

[ausreenactor]

Great pics...

If you know of any French tanker (Commando d'Afrique) helmets please let me know.

 

[Kennyz]

Your Grandfather certainly had a lot of style, Kermit3D!

Ken

 

[Pilot]

I found other pictures of my grandfather and many other documents, including a notebook where he tells all his military service during the beginning of the Second World War !
On these pictures, he is wearing a leather jacket "modèle 35". It is the the French tank crews jacket.

View attachment 50477

Nice photos of your father.
Here is the french leather tankist jacket.... but a WW1 version.
Came in as a trade in.

 

[Kermit3D]

Your Grandfather certainly had a lot of style, Kermit3D!

Ken

Yes they had style ... a picture of my grandfather and great-grandfather from the late 1930s. They probably bought their clothes at "Pikes Brothers".

 

[Kermit3D]

Nice photos of your father.
Here is the french leather tankist jacket.... but a WW1 version.
Came in as a trade in.
View attachment 50509View attachment 50510View attachment 50511View attachment 50512

Nice jacket!

I will try to find the one my grandfather was wearing even if it is probably lost...

 

[Kermit3D]

My father confirmed that my grandfather's tanker jacket is missing. He told me that my grandfather got rid of all military equipment after the war. I can understand that, but I still wish I had that jacket as a souvenir.

 

[Pilot]

Not mine...Very nice „ Made in France“ jackets.

 

[B-Man2]

Well I’ll never complain about the Roughwear A2 collars being too big again ... honest

 

[Kennyz]

Very stylish indeed!

Ken

Yes they had style ... a picture of my grandfather and great-grandfather from the late 1930s. They probably bought their clothes at "Pikes Brothers".

View attachment 50524

 

[jack31916]

Here's a nice one om Ebay France

NEUVE Veste en cuir 14-18 tankiste aviateur automobiliste Artillerie Spéciale AS | eBay

Les meilleures offres pour NEUVE Veste en cuir 14-18 tankiste aviateur automobiliste Artillerie Spéciale AS sont sur eBay ✓ Comparez les prix et les spécificités des produits neufs et d'occasion ✓ Pleins d'articles en livraison gratuite!

www.ebay.fr

 

[jerome35]

I've supervised the production of repro of the m1935 leather tanker jacket, with the large collar of the first patterns.

Worn for the 80th anniversary of 1940 virtual commemoration:

 

[Pilot]

 

[Pilot]

Found in one of the jackets pockets.

 

[Pilot]

Infanterie Colonial helmet...
Named...