French Renault R40 tank
GAS50287

Complete kit of the French Renault R40 tank in 1/48 scale

Model size: 11 x 4 x 5 cm

Kit contains:

• Resin parts
• Decal sheet
• Brass rods.
• Assembly instructions with nomenclature and color photos: Download instructions

You can also contact us to have this model assembled and painted with the camouflage of your choice.

Click here for availability and price of this kit

History of the French Renault R40 tank

As soon as it entered service with the French army, the Renault R-35 light tank revealed its mediocre ability to move over greasy terrain. So, as early as 1936, Renault began looking for solutions to improve the undercarriage. With the creation of the AMX in 1936, Renault's design department also looked at the R-35, and in 1938 proposed a new 12-roller suspension inspired by that of the B tank and the AMX 38 proto-type, with Holt-type track pads. 
Renault's solutions offered little improvement, and the AMX suspension was finally adopted in 1939. The AMX undercarriage significantly improved the 1935-R's performance on soft, greasy ground and steep inclines. In addition, an 8 mm steel skirt protects the undercarriage from shrapnel and grapeshot on the battlefield. On the other hand, it increases fuel consumption by around 40% and reduces range to 100 km on the road. 
The Renault light tank with AMX undercarriage was adopted in 1939, under the designation of "light tank model 1935-R modified 1939", but was more commonly known as the R 40. The preparation of tooling and the supply of parts meant that only a little over a hundred R 40s could be built, and these took part in the battle of May-June 1940.
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