What appears to be very much like a Renault FU tank carrier has survived unrecognised in France - see here (under 6 August 2008): http://www.prewarcar.com/
Phil, I hope you didn't mind me sending a link to your site.
It is the same front and rear wheels, isn't it ? However, did not all Renault radiators have side louvres ? And note the bonnet on the Renault has a more radical forward slope than the relic. Identifying these rear-faced radiator trucks has always been a chore. At least 4 French manufacturers built them that way, and additonally, the US supplied Kelly-Springfield had the same engine/radiator arrangement.
However, did not all Renault radiators have side louvres ? And note the bonnet on the Renault has a more radical forward slope than the relic.
Yes, you are quite right on both points. The rad could have been repaired at some stage in its life though. It does have several differences to that on the restored one. I also note that the water pipe to the engine is higher on the wreck rad than it is on the restored one. That is of course assuming that the restored example is all original.
We need a good original photo to compare it to. Can anyone help?
A bit small but shows the bonnet rake. Bonnet looks bigger than on the restored version (and no louvres) Driver's seat looks closer to the wreck than restored version
I think the rebuild has acquired a bonnet and possibly radiator from the earlier Renault G3. See these three 1915 camions - the one on the right is the Renault
Yes, i think you are right in saying that there is an incorrect radiator and bonnet here, but i am wondering if the unrestored FU has acquired the bonnet and rad from an EG, like this one (also at Berliet)
That is of course assuming that that one has the correct rad and bonnet on it in the first place.
I notice that the unrestored FU has a great big hole in the front of the bonnet. The EG has a large inspection cover there, so i think it is quite likely that over the years the one on the FU rotted and dropped of.
No I think that its the restored vehicle has a bonnet from the EGF (or G3). Note the photo I enclosed earlier of an FU has a different bonnet with no hatches in the side much like that on the unrestored truck which I think has a genuine bonnet. Another FU photo enclosed.
Hello all, my first post in the hope that it's of interest... I have an original private WW II Luftwaffe mobile flak group still using 'liberated' WWI Renault FUs??
Please excuse the copyright marks slapped all over it, I agree that it may seem very unfriendly especially for a first post, but there are good reasons for being careful with this particular photograph
