Renault FU

The Renault FU was a heavy lorry built by Renault from 1918 to 1923. It was designed from 1916, at the same time as the FT light tank, and was developed as a tank transporter for the French Army, with a payload of 7 tonnes that rose to 7.5 tonnes. The prototype appeared in March 1918, and after trials the Army asked for a wheelbase 20 centimetres longer so that a loaded FT tank would not overload the rear overhang. A firm order of 75 followed in September 1918, delivered in 1920, and the improved FU3 was ordered again in 1921 and 1922. It had a four-cylinder engine, and civil bodies included tipper, tanker, street sprinkler and refuse lorry. Some tank carriers were still in use at the start of the Second World War.