R35 light tank, late version

Eighty-seventh issue of the “September 1939” series comes with a miniature of the French Renault R35 tank in late variant (for early one look in the 78th issue), 1:72 scale. Let’s check it out.

The box

Set PL1939-087 comes in a characteristic side-opening box with a pretty nice boxart. The French vehicle shown on the illustration is definitely not from September '39, so it’s just another issue a bit more loosely related to the series theme.

Contents consist of a several plastic sprues of various sizes and a small sheet of decals.

The model is of course accompanied by an A4-size brochure, but let’s skip it for now and get down to the more important parts.

Sprues

Following the series design philosophy, little Renault was split into relatively few parts. Hull consists of the upper part, where some equipment details have been directly reproduced.

Back wall with hatches clearly marked.

And a lower part which, thanks to the use of the slide moulds, also features details on the sides.

Track and wheels has been integrated into single-piece modules.

It is naturally a highly simplified representation of the original.

The glued-on tension wheel centres don’t change much in this matter.

Hull, on the other hand, needs to be fitted with a handful of details and equipment pieces, which were designed as separate parts.

Turret comprises of elements known from the earlier FtF French tanks, like the Hotchkiss H35 “late” showed here not so long ago (see review).

If one wants to leave the rear hatch open and, for example, shove a crew member in there – that's perfectly fine.

Tank's impressive main armament is also not exactly new.

Sprue with suitable viewfinders, also known from the “late” Hotchkiss kit, is one of the differences between the set in question and the “early” model released in the seventy-eighth issue of the series.

Another one are the full tension wheels seen in one of the earlier photos.

Decals

R35 kit comes with a small decal sheet containing the markings for two machines. Quite nicely printed by the way.

It's pretty apparent that the decals don't really fit the theme of the series, just like the boxart mentioned earlier.

Manual

As usual, there is no typical assembly manual in the box. In fact, there is none whatsoever. Instead a substitute for one can be found on the back of the box.

The same informations are also included in the accompanying brochure. Both drawings explaining what goes where.

As well as a painting and markings scheme for one French tank (with suggested Vallejo and Hataka paint numbers).

But only one. Want to make a model using the remaining markings? Sort it out yourself.

That's it

As you can clearly see, little Renault R35 is a rather standard kit from the First To Fight brand. Simplistic, yet not ugly. Nothing to write home about.

MMXXI