French light infantry tank RENAULT R-35 COBI 2719 - World War II 1:48

You know that:

• Since 1933, the French Army Command had been looking for a replacement for the obsolete Renault FT-17 tanks by launching a tender, which was entered by two companies.
• In 1934, Renault presented its winning design for a light tank, which was put into series production after trials.
• The R-35s first fought on the side of the Polish army during the 1939 invasion and subsequently in the Battle of France.
• After the occupation of France, many pieces fell into the hands of the German army, or were assigned to units controlled by the government in Vichy.
• Thus, the loot pieces fought against the army of the Free French led by Ch. De Gaulle.
• The tank had decent armour, but insufficient engine and firepower, so it was often used only as a tractor.
• In 1941, Germany sold 40 confiscated R-35 tanks to the Bulgarian army, which quickly discovered serious shortcomings for the modern battlefield, such as low speed, high silhouette, unavailability of spare parts and above all the absence of exhaust after firing.
• The tank crew had to open the hatches after each shot to vent the toxic fumes. During this operation, the enemy considered the tank destroyed, as thick smoke billowed from the turret.
• A total of 1,540 units were produced in various versions.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions length 4,02 m, width 1,85 m, height 2,13 m
• weight 10 600 kg
• armouring front and sides 40 mm, turret 43 mm, ceiling 25 mm
• power unit 4-cylinder petrol engine 5 878 ccm with an output of 61 kW
• top speed 20 km/h (8.7 km/h off-road)
• range 130 km
• Number of speeds 4 forward and 1 reverse 
• fuel tank 166 l
• fuel consumption up to 212 l/100 km
• crew 2 persons
• main weapon short gun SA 18 L/21 37 mm (100 rounds)
• secondary weapon Reibel MLE 1931 machine gun 7,5 mm calibre (2 400 rounds)

German commander Hermann Hoth:

"As we approached Dunkirk, we saw a group of five or six Renault tanks on the horizon. They didn't seem to know we were there. Incomprehensibly, they stood in the open countryside, apparently waiting for orders. A closer look through the binoculars showed that everything was different. The French tanks were attempting a counterattack, but at their speed we still had plenty of time for a snack. Later we understood that we could not underestimate any adversary."