M1917 Light Tank: America’s First Mass-Produced 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?

Timestamp:

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