Tamiya- 1/35 French Light Tank H39

History

Hotchkiss offered its own design for a light infantry tank to the French military in 1933 for use in the future. While its design was passed over for the Renault R35, the Army allowed continued development which led to its H35 being adopted by the Cavalry until the SOMUA S35 was ready in more plentiful numbers. By 1939, 300 were delivered to cavalry units, with another 100 to the infantry. It proved to be too slow for their liking, so a new prototype with a 120hp engine and improvements to the hull and suspension were built which improved its top speed despite the increase in weight. This new design was the H39, and by the fall of France in 1940, 710 had been ordered. The gun was also improved- the SA18 37mm was eventually replaced with the longer SA38 which was the new standard from April 1940.

It had a cast hull with components bolted together and the armor was up to 34mm thick. The tank had a crew of two- the driver in the front right and the commander in the turret. The APX-R turret was also cast and featured the aforementioned SA18 and later SA38 guns. It was mainly deployed in light tank battalions with infantry support, and often was paired with the slower Char B1. Its first action was in Narvik countering the German invasion of Norway and the upgunned version squared off well against German tanks at the Battle of Gembloux in France.  When the French surrendered in June 1940, Germans took over many of the tanks- upgrading them with radios, and a cupola hatch. In German action, they were renamed as Pz.Kpfw.38H 735(f) and served in the Balkans, Finland, and in France and Germany after the Normandy landings in 1944. 

The Kit

As is per usual with newer Tamiya kits, we get a thorough instruction manual which is well labeled as well as a separate background information guide with the color profiles for two schemes. These include a French Army version from 1940 and a German Army tank from 1945. The background guide has  great drawings showing the differences from the French version and the German one, and the instructions throughout offer different parts for the turret, grills, and idler wheels and suspension between the two types. There is a half figure for the German tank and a full figure for the French one.

The kit comes with 5 tan sprues, a small decal marking sheet, and some chain and vinyl poly caps. There is no photoetch in the kit. There are two A sprues in the kit and these contain hatches with cast detail, suspension parts, link and length tracks (with the top length showing appropriate sag), road wheels, return rollers, and sprockets. There are two different types of idlers- ribbed for the German tank and a smooth disk for the French tank. I didn't spot any sink marks on the inner faces of the tracks, but there are small ones on the inner faces of the bogies which won't be seen when you close them up around the road wheels.

Sprue B contains more bogie halves, parts for both types of cupola, slide-molded SA38 gun, right grilles with choice of vertical or horizontal louvers depending on type built, both figures, rear skid parts, and tools for both versions- so pay particular attention to whether the parts go for scheme A or B. Grilles, hatches, and other parts have slight cast texture where appropriate. Any sink marks present are all on interior facing surfaces.

Sprue C contains parts for the lower hull tub and upper hull parts. The outer surface of the lower hull sides have 11 sink marks each that may well be hidden by bogie assemblies, but these ought to be removed easily enough with some filler and sanding. Both front and rear fenders have two each as well. The cast texture where present is subtle- one may wish to enhance this a bit as per personal preference.

Lastly is a small sprue (P1) for just the top half of the turret. The outer surface again has the subtle cast texture all around which is quite nice. 

Decals include the cross for the German version and number 64 and front and rear registration numbers with tricolor flags for the French version. A length of chain for the French tank is also present.

Conclusion

This seems to be another excellent newly tooled kit from Tamiya. There has been quite an online buzz for the last few weeks about the kit so it appears to be a highly desired French armor kit. Parts look crisp and well detailed other than a handful or two of sink marks to remove. I plan on building the French version of the tank to honor my grandmother who was in the Maquis in France during the war.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders, pending Full Build.

Thanks goes out to Tamiya for this review kit.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

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