Renault built this UE supply carrier (named Chenillette d'Infanterie type UE) loosely based on the Carden-Loyd Mark VI carrier. It carried a crew of two and no armament, being used primarily for supply transportation, often seen towing a tracked trailer carrying 500kg of cargo. The vehicles were also used by the Free French, and SP anti-tanks models were developed.
This metal model is made by SKYTREX/HINCHLIFFE, and they also make the matching trailer, as well as one of the variants operated by the Wehrmacht.
The Somua 35 is
often considered to be the best French medium tank, more than a match for
its contemporary opponents. Unfortunately, bad tactics meant it was not
used at its full potential. About 500 were built, and captured vehicles
were used by the Germans.
This is the HELLER 1/72 model. It has recently been re-released after
an absence of over two decades! I've given it the three-color horizontal
camouflage pattern seen on late production models. Serving with cavalry
units, it carries plenty of markings; roundels, numbers, card symbols, and
license plates. As packaged, the kit represents a vehicle with an alltogether
different color scheme (and I must say the boxtop picture is most unflattering!).
Several metal and resin producers also make this vehicle, possibly with
better detailing.
The Renault R35 (left) was one of the better French tanks of WWII, although at 20mph it was somewhat slow. Over 1600 had been built by 1940; following the fall of France many were pressed into service in the German Wehrmacht, seeing action in Russia. This model was painted to represent a vehicle that saw action in France in 1940, and is a resin kit made by OSTMODELS.
The Hotchkiss 38H served with Infantry units in France during the 1940 campaign. These tanks were often painted in monotone army green, as opposed to the more colorful H39 tanks of the Cavalry units. The blue Ace of Spades symbol denotes a vehicle of the first section in the first battalion (Actually, Infantry tanks were often not as elaborately marked as shown here. Card symbols, nationality roundels, and turret numbers were more common in the Cavalry units).
Supposedely the designation 38H denoted the vehicles armed with the earlier SA 18 37mm gun, while the H39 tanks had the newer SA 38 37mm gun. But this may not have been official designations. The model is made by SMALL SCALE from Australia; I added tow hooks and a chain; the markings are either spare decals or hand-painted.
This is another OSTMODELS 1/76 resin wargaming kit, this time the Renault R40 light tank. Like most kits by this manufacturer, the assembly is quite simple and the track detail is simplified.
Many of these tanks were issued to the 48th "Bataillon de Chars de Combat" in the later stages of the 1940 campaign in France. While the turret is similar to the R35, the suspension is quite distinct. It was armed with the longer caliber L33 37mm main gun.
Black and white photos of these vehicles show that the two camouflage colors are difficult to distinguish, and therefore most likely reflect a dark green and chocolate brown.
One more OSTMODELS resin French tank! This is a CharD2 in the two-color Green/Ochre scheme, which was common for these vehicles. The decals are borrowed from the spares box.
The Char Moyen D2 carries a 47mm cannon, a 7.5mm MG, and 40mm max. armor. Top speed is 15 MPH. First entering service in 1933, it still served with General De Gaulle's 4e Division Cuirassee in the 1940 battles.
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