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Editions de Barbotin |
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Trackstory #4 - Renault R35/R40 by Pascal Danjou |
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Reviewed By Kip Rudge, #40597 |
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MSRP: €19.50 Euros 62 pages As I was reaching modeling maturity (is that an oxymoron?) I gave French World War 2 armor the short shrift. I suppose I was too busy scarfing up data on U.S., Russian and German vehicles to pay much attention to an army that ceased to exist in a little more than six weeks. Well to paraphrase one of my favorite comedians, Ron White, I wuz wrong. While the French military lowered the bar on strategic, operational and tactical warfare in 1940, French armor evolution has a fascinating history. In addition, French armor provides as many, or more, camouflage variations as German vehicles do. Pascal Danjou is throwing some very welcome light on French WW2 vehicles, their history and markings through the Trackstory series of books. Each book – there have been four thus far – examines a particular vehicle. While not an in depth history ala Hunnicutt, the books provide very good insights into the design and production of each vehicle as well as the unit organization, markings and camouflage. Each book is written in both French and English and contains very nice color profiles of the vehicles and their markings. The Trackstory story thus far includes the Somua S35, Char Bis, Panhard 178 and now the Renault R35/R40. Having obtained three of the four books, I cannot recommend them highly enough for simple manner in which they present their subjects. The R35/R40 continues Trackstory’s winning streak. I have always confused the R/35 series with the H/39 series. Salvation is now at hand. Now they are as easy to tell apart as a Pzkfw IVD and Pzkfw IVE… or even the M4A1 and the M4A2! Trackstory No. 4 contains a brief development history that really illustrates the quandary the French faced in the 1920s-30s in regard to rebuilding a military after basically destroying an entire generation of young men in WW1. French tank design had to account for the fact there simply weren’t enough men to put fannies in the seats. Variants of the R/35 series are also given a pretty good account and once again the section of developing mine clearing tanks is a good read with lots of photos. Also included is a very informative chapter about French exports of R/35s to various European nations prior to September 1939. In addition, we get good info on who inherited the R35/R40s once France capitulated. It’s safe to say that R35/R40s shot at every major combatant in the European / Mediterranean / Russian theater all the way through 1945. Holy ubiquitous, Batman! There is even information on post-war use. Sure to grab the modeler’s eye are the excellent color plates that fill the back of the book. As my 13-year-old daughter is wont to say – they are the bomb diggity!!!! A color chart for the basic French armor colors is also included – the first time I’ve seen this info. I can’t vouch for them being spot on, but I see no reason to believe they aren’t close enough. Unfortunately we don’t have any new 1/35 kits of either the R35 or the R40. Heller’s old R35 is still available and there is a multimedia R40 out there somewhere. Of course we’re also waiting on state of the art kits of the Char Bis and Somua as well. Somebody please take the hint! Of course my myopia excludes small scale and I’m not sure if those guys are luckier than us 1/35ers. But don’t let that delay your purchase of this book, or the entire series. They are relatively inexpensive and pack a heck of a punch. Best of all they provide a real insight into the diversity of vehicles, markings and camouflage of the French pre-war and wartime army. I’m in great anticipation of the already-announced H39 book. It’s sure to compliment the Trumpeter and (maybe) Bronco kits. Thanks to Editions Du Barbotin for the review opportunity. |
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