Tamiya 35373 - 1:35 French Light Tank R35

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the French light tank R35

The Renault R35 was an infantry support light tank — a small, two-man vehicle with a cast three-piece hull and solid armour. Tamiya 35373 reproduces it from tooling created in 2020, capturing the distinctive rounded shapes of the castings.

The turret is produced using slide moulds, giving a faithful shape without artificial part breaks. The gun is mounted so that it has a realistic range of elevation and slight traverse, just like the original. The commander figure is posed in the rear turret hatch. A colour painting guide for the French camouflage is included, which makes reproducing the characteristic irregular patches far easier.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and equipment
• Link-and-length tracks
• Commander figure posed in the rear turret hatch
• Decal sheet for two early-war marking options
• Colour painting guide for the French camouflage
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35373
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: approx. 114 × 55 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-and-length tracks, multi-colour camouflage)

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This kit is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is a compact kit with a clear parts breakdown — a good choice if you want to try link-and-length tracks without taking on a large tank. The Tamiya parts fit keeps assembly quick; most of the time will go into the tracks and the camouflage.

The French 1939–1940 camouflage is the real painting challenge — multi-colour patches of green, brown and ochre, often separated by black outlines. The colour painting guide shows their layout, and Tamiya paint codes are given in the instructions. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering; a matt varnish and a wash to pick out the detail complete the finish.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes (useful if you paint the camouflage by brush)
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Renault R35:

The R35 was designed in the mid-1930s as a successor to the Renault FT — an infantry support tank meant to accompany the troops and knock out pockets of resistance. It was built to withstand fire rather than to fight other tanks: the cast three-piece hull offered good protection, but the 37 mm SA18 gun had a short barrel and poor anti-armour performance.

The vehicle was operated by a crew of just two, which in practice meant the commander had to lead the fight, aim and load the gun at the same time. A Renault engine of about 82 hp drove the 10.6-tonne tank at a speed sufficient to work with infantry, but not for mobile warfare.

Around 1,600 R35s were built, forming the backbone of the French infantry tank battalions in 1940. During the campaign their armour often held, but the lack of an effective gun and the dispersal of the tanks among infantry units sealed their fate.

Original vehicle specifications (Renault R35):

• Length: approx. 4.0 m
• Width: approx. 1.85 m
• Height: approx. 2.1 m
• Combat weight: approx. 10.6 t
• Crew: 2
• Main armament: 37 mm SA18 gun
• Secondary armament: 7.5 mm machine gun
• Construction: cast three-piece hull
• Engine: Renault, approx. 82 hp
• Production: approx. 1,600 vehicles; French campaign of 1940

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in timber and wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first injection-moulded plastic kit. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the scale as a worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles anywhere. Alongside kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.