Tamiya 35349 - 1:35 AMX-13 French Light Tank

Plastic model kit of the French AMX-13 light tank in 1:35 scale

The AMX-13 is one of the most original tanks of post-war Europe — small, light and fitted with an oscillating turret in which the gun is rigidly mounted in a movable upper section. Tamiya 35349 depicts this vehicle using entirely new tooling from 2016.

The model captures the angular hull and the unusual profile of the FL-10 turret. Tamiya includes photo-etched parts for the air intake mesh — a feature that never looks as convincing in plastic. Vinyl band tracks close out the running gear quickly.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and running gear parts
• Photo-etched parts: air intake mesh
• Vinyl band tracks
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35349
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 182 mm (gun forward)
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (photo-etched parts)

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

The 2016 tooling means a clear parts breakdown and excellent fit, so the build flows smoothly. The oscillating turret deserves particular attention — its two-part structure is unusual, and it is worth studying the instructions before committing to glue. Working with the photo-etched air intake mesh, fixed with cyanoacrylate glue, forms a separate stage of the build.

For painting, the uniform olive green typical of post-war French vehicles is recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab). A single-colour finish invites panel lightening and a wash to bring out the detail. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps to avoid decal silvering, with a matt varnish as the final finish. Pigments on the tracks and lower hull add dust effects.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust effects

About the vehicle – AMX-13:

The AMX-13 was developed in post-war France as an air-portable light tank, intended above all for airborne forces and reconnaissance units. Its designers chose an unusual solution: the FL-10 oscillating turret, in which the gun is rigidly fixed in a movable upper section that elevates together with it.

This allowed the use of an autoloader with two drum magazines holding six rounds each — the 75 mm gun could fire very rapidly, although after twelve rounds the crew had to reload the magazines from outside the vehicle. The three-man crew operated a tank weighing only around 15 tonnes, powered by a 250 hp SOFAM engine.

Production began in 1952. The AMX-13 proved an export success, serving with dozens of countries on every continent and seeing action in numerous conflicts, notably in the Middle East. Its light weight, speed and firepower meant that in the hands of well-trained crews it could operate effectively against heavier opponents.

Original vehicle specifications (AMX-13):

• Combat weight: approx. 15 t
• Crew: 3
• Main armament: 75 mm gun in the FL-10 oscillating turret
• Autoloader: two drum magazines of 6 rounds each
• Powerplant: SOFAM engine, 250 hp
• Production: from 1952
• Export: dozens of countries on every continent

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. It began in the timber trade and wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the scale as the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for exceptionally precise tooling and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. For selected kits Tamiya includes photo-etched parts, which make meshes and other thin elements look far more realistic than they would in plastic. Alongside plastic kits the company offers a full range of paints, cements, tools and brushes. It is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.