An original engine of the Renault FT tank, the oldest tank that served in the Polish Army, was discovered in a basement of a flat building in Warsaw, after a call by the owner to the museum which was looking for one worldwide.

The Renault FT tank was used during both World Wars. It was first constructed in 1917 and in 1919 the Polish Army used 120 such vehicles which were transported from France. The tank in the collection of the Muzeum Polskiej Techniki Wojskowej (Museum of Polish Military Technology) was found in Kabul, Afganistan, where it stood on a pedestal in front of the military barracks. Through diplomatic endeavours in 2012 it was obtained by the museum and transported to Poland. The vehicle was documented, measured and then restored and repaired in the museum, but it was lacking its original engine. The officials searched for one worldwide, including in Finland and France, where known specimen of the tank were located, but it was impossible to obtain an engine. Until recently, when a citizen of Warsaw, a collector of antique cars, Paweł Brukszo, called the museum informing that such engine is in his possession and located within the basement of his flat. It turned out that the engine is complete and preserved in perfect condition. It was taken out from the basement, and is undergoing documentation and restoration. It is said that new parts need to be manufactured and some replaced in order to make it work and even install in the Renault FT tank.

(after Muzeum Polskiej Techniki Wojskowej & Archiwum TVN)