Sneak Preview of the National Museum of Military Vehicles’ WWI M1917 Light Tank

See one of only 20 surviving American WWI tanks. This example, an M1917 Light Tank, still running with its original Buda engine, is substantially complete. Need we say more?
TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 - Introduction by Dan Starks, founder of the National Museum of Military Vehicles.
00:00:15 - Reveal of the M1917 World War I light tank, the first American manufactured tank.
00:01:05 - Historical context of tanks in combat, starting with the Battle of the Somme.
00:02:06 - The evolution of the Renault FT light tank.
00:03:01 - The role of the United States in WWI tank development.
00:04:36 - Formation of the United States Tank Corps and involvement of George S. Patton.
00:05:26 - Manufacturing of the M1917 tank in the United States.
00:06:41 - Features and condition of the M1917 tank.
00:07:48 - Detailed examination of the M1917 tank's design and functionalities.
00:11:53 - Discussion about the external markings and bullet marks on the M1917 tank.
00:14:46 - Mike Lamb describes the Buda engine.
00:15:58 - Dan gets inside the M1917 tank and talks about how cramped the driver’s position is.

[@user-xy9ix8jm1k]

Another great video sharing incredible items in a fantastic collection! Thank you, Dan Stark. A primary use of the steel face mask was to protect the wearer from "spalling" when all the hatches were closed. With the primitive steel used in early tanks, rifle shot impacts could blast away little bits of steel on the inside of the tank, even without penetrating. It's pretty tough to continue with a severe laceration to the face, and nearly impossible if you take a wound to the eye. It's also one of the reasons for the leather Jerkin - torso defense against spalling - historically similar to primitive leather armor against a sword blade. This is fantastic content, so happy to have found it!

[@davidparmly8828]

I'm an old Cavalryman, and am part of a bunch of my mates that were (and are) AFV afficionados. We had an exclusive day in the Armor & Cavalry Collection at Ft Moore, GA and thought we had died and gone to tanker heaven. I think we need to raise our sights and get out to Wyoming! Dan's enthusiasm is the same as we share as men that lived and fought in these sorts of armored beasts.

[@rotwang2000]

There is a lot of focus on the "big star" tanks like the Tiger or something like the T28 or a KV2. But these M1917 are also rare and unique in their own right, perhaps even more so than the popular ones.

[@eddavis1832]

Can’t wait to visit the museum and see the M1917 in person. Keep up the great work!!!

[@bobperkinson6249]

The museum was the highlight of our trip out west 3 years ago. Yellowstone was great but finding the museum that had just opened outside of Dubois was was the best. Thanks for keeping our history alive. I let everyone I come in contact with know about the Simpson rifle that you have on display.

[@sinkinpat]

Thank you for sharing. Please continue your KZbin series. I came to your museum a year ago and plan to come again. Not all of us can collect such pieces but your ability to share is invaluable.

[@guylelanglois6642]

Will be visiting you with my grandsons this summer. Can't wait. My dad drove tanks in Korea.

[@CRLoeser]

Thank you for the time and effort to share your knowledge in such a lively and enjoyable fashion! And congrats to your new addition to your collection 🎉

[@juusolatva]

some pigeons were decorated with the Dickin Medal for their service, but one US pigeon named Cher Ami received the Croix de Guerre for his heroic service in WWI that included delivering a message from the Lost Battalion, although he had been severely injured.

[@dennisswaim8210]

What a fantastic museum. You sir have done a great service for this country. We tank fans will forever be in debt to you and your staff. I hope to visit your Museum soon. Thank you for these efforts. Wow just Wow!

[@Chilly_Billy]

I've seen the M1917 at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Tiny doesn't do these machines justice. It's hard to fathom to go to war in one.

[@RachelMckinit]

No seats, barely any armor, and what would become "pop guns". Count me out, I ain't got cajones that big. I'll take my DU and 120.

[@Rasputinovich]

Congratulations on your latest and greatest acquisition! I look forward to seeing it on my next visit to Dubois. Thank you for sharing!

Nice Video. I was wondering how much that tank cost :) Compared to a Panther or even Tiger that is even relatively "cheap". In any case it is nice for your museum to have the beginning of american tanks on display.

[@davidk7324]

Hello Mr. Starks, thank you for sharing this news and providing us with a great mini history lesson. I've been privileged to visit the NMMV from my home in SLC on three occasions since October 2021. Each time I go, I spend an entire day and marvel at your vision and generosity. Every visit, it seems you have expanded the museum substantially in terms of new exhibits, design, and curation. NMMV is a national treasure. When the snow begins to melt, I'm looking forward to seeing the rehabilitation and restoration facility and this groundbreaking early tank. Patton just might have sat in that same seat (if he had a shoehorn for his ~6'1" frame).

[@presidentbeluga3925]

Hope to get out to the museum again some time soon!

[@leegarner5327]

I am lucky enough to have played with that tank when Fred had it. He had an amazing collection.

[@NMMV_USA]

Small world.

[@markstone5597]

Really great tank, and the work you're doing there is really impressive!!!

[@Chauc3r]

great presentation. cant wait to get up there sometime to see the musuem.

[@ptonpc]

That is impressive :)

[@kiwifruit27]

What a gem, beautifully restored and a great presentation video. Thanks

[@allgood6760]

Thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@bwilliams463]

There is an unrestored FT17 in the museum of the National WW1 Memorial in Kansas City, MO. It was found in a scrap yard in Iran (I believe), and it bears battle damage in the form of shell holes from the artillery that knocked it out, but otherwise is in remarkably-solid shape. The first time I saw it up-close, I was surprised by how large it really does; in old photos, they don't look much bigger than golf carts.

[@robertmorey4104]

Very cool, what a treasure. Thanks for sharing it by making the video.

[@thurin84]

another visual difference between the ft17 and m1917 are the shape of the angled plates on either side of the drivers top hatch cover. on the ft theyre roughly square, on the m1917 theyre triangular. and the ft (and presumably the m1917) were the heaviest armored entente tanks with 22mm frontal armor. other entente tanks had between 8 to 16mm. great artifacts. awesome to see such a running survivor! now all you need is a ford 3ton m1918!

[@NMMV_USA]

Nothing like expertise. Thx for the additional info.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

One of my top ten tanks. All "tanks' followed this set up, a turret.

[@wilco3588]

I was on the team at Ropkeys that restored the M1917 would be glad to give you all the info I have . I will leave an email and voice message on the museum contacts. Will in Indiana

[@philbosworth3789]

Great explanation and walkaround.

[@davidk7324]

Fancy meeting you here, Phil. Utah Dave (DavidK7324) from the WW2TV sidebar. Have you been able to visit the NMMV? If not, come to SLC and I'll take you!

[@philbosworth3789]

@@davidk7324 Yo Dave from Woody. This is a great museum. Bit stuck in the UK sadly, but thank you

[@steveindar1]

Love the pigeon SOP

[@AmazingAce]

20:00 Hi Dan, these markings are very similar to the French markings on their Renault FT, with some variation. The playing card suits would denote the section (platoon in this case) while the background geometric shape would determine company. The Americans would add onto this marking system by including a number which would denote the specific tank in the platoon. So the M1917 here is the 7th tank in 1st platoon, 3rd company. The US Tank Corps symbols have the Ace of Spades denoting 1st platoon while the background diamond denotes 3rd company. A neat way to tell the difference between an American operated Renault FT and a French Renault FT is through these markings as American FTs would have their markings on the turret while French FTs would only have their markings on the two rear plates on the hull. Loved the museum when I was there as an intern, and will definitely come back soon now that you got a variant of my favorite tank. - Jaycee

[@NMMV_USA]

Great info Jaycee. Thx.

[@frankstanks]

I wanted to drive a tank but my Staff Sergeant said I was too big at 6’7”… but it’s how he said it that was funny.

[@guidor.4161]

I believe that mask was for spall protection, to be worn inside the tank.

[@NMMV_USA]

Head slap. Sure. You have to be correct.

[@angelo_giachetti]

I got to climb into a 1917 at the Cantigny museum in Wheaton, IL. They have a huge display at Cantigny

[@masonponton3077]

Great video! But I have to disagree in a particular and perhaps petty way, that this was the first American manufactured tank. I consider it to be the Ford 3 ton M1918. The reason I think so is simply that it was completely designed independently though obviously partially inspired by the ft, while the m1917 is just an ft converted to standard measurements with very little detail changes and power plant. In another way it's like 2 variants of a leopard, 1 to fit German needs 1 to fit American (we considered a leopard before the m1) and a leopard vs an Abrahams. Obviously that's not the most accurate analogy but it gets the point across. MBTs are very similar to each other compared to ww1 tanks.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Yes, those bullet pock marks are from steel core rifle bullets. This tank was made at a time prior to Brinel hardness testing. So, the only way for a maker to prove the armor was "bullet-proof" was to shoot each plate, or casting. and since the M1917 is made up of riveted plates on a frame, every plate had to be shot in order to pass before being excepted for use.

[@NMMV_USA]

very interesting. Thank you.

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@NMMV_USA you are very welcome. it is wonderful to see that M1917 so well preserved for all to enjoy. FYI, of note, Camp Roberts in California is named for WWI American tank driver (French built FT) Corporal Harold W. Roberts, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient who perished saving the tanks commander when their tank fell into a 10-foot-deep water filled shell crater. Good luck.

[@NMMV_USA]

keep your info coming. I am happy to get smarter. Dan Starks@@ditzydoo4378

[@user-xj6rr3yv8q]

please talk about the track/suspension

[@williamromine5715]

Good video. Only sugestion I have. Slow down, especialy the younger fellow. If he is not used to talking on video, it just may just come more natural as he gets more expierence.

[@davidknight9709]

While I hate to critique, the .30 mg for M1917 was definitely not the M1919 browning since it was not developed until 1919. It started out with the Marlin Rockwell M1917 tank mg.

[@NMMV_USA]

Thank you for the correction. Makes sense of course.

[@MrMikey4026]

Did you get some scorpion tanks from Mr. Brad a year or so ago?

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

It would be... Interesting I would say, to be rolling slowly along barely able to see out or see what you're doing inside or hear anything around you. All while you're attracting all the rifle fire in the world.

[@RaoulStankovitch]

Will someone ID the model number of the WWII cargo trucks that had a lift bed used to load/unload C-54's? I know forklifts were used at some bases.

[@philbosworth3789]

Will The Chieftain fit in that?

[@rnish2958]

Where is the museum located? Country, state ?

[@NMMV_USA]

Wyoming, U.S. 80 miles east of Jackson Hole. Near Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and lots of other attractions to make a trip worthwhile. See NMMV.org.

[@spiritd4ys]

The British "Heavy" tanks had no turrets by design, it was impractical to have a turreted tank that could use an un-ditching beam. They were superior to light tanks in trench crossing capability and crushing barbed wire. light tanks were simple incapable of crossing no man's land until heavy tanks broke the German front lines. Only after this did light tanks become usable so respect all the AFVs of WW1 used correctly for their intended purpose.

[@cavalryscout3952]

Where is this museum?

[@NMMV_USA]

Dubois, Wyoming. 80 miles east of Jackson Hole. See NMMV.org.