Hobby Boss 1/35 German 4.7cm Pak(t) sfl.auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731 (f) Kit First Look

By Dave Manter

First Look

The Renault R35 was a French light infantry tank of the Second World War. Designed in 1933 and produced in 1936, the type was intended as a light infantry support tank, equipping autonomous tank battalions, which would be allocated to individual infantry divisions to assist them in executing offensive operations. To this end it was relatively well-armored but slow and lacking a good anti-tank capacity.

With the defeat of France, most of the remaining chassis and tanks fell into German hands. They in turn used the chassis for numerous tank destroyer vehicles.

The HobbyBoss kit consists of over 438 styrene parts molded in tan and brown and 52 photo etch detail parts. All of the parts feature HobbyBoss's normal high standards and the detail throughout is great. There is no flash present. Markings are provided for 2 vehicles, one in overall grey and the other in yellow with green camo. The instructions are very well written and will be easy to follow.

The kit features a full interior including one of the best engines that I have seen in a kit. The drive train and suspension is beautifully detailed and will look great under paint. All hatches can be built in the open or closed positions allow you to show off the interior if so desired. The gun and its mount and shields are also beautifully detailed.

The design of this kits lower and upper hull will make it quite easy for HobbyBoss to release the standard R35 as well.

My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!