RPM 1/35TH SCALE
Niszczyciel czolgow
UE 630(f) tank destroyer
Kit no. 35045

MSRP: $29.95

SQUADRON'S PRICE: $24.96

by Ray Mehlberger

HISTORY

At the beginning of the 'thirties, France began modernization of its army. A competition for a universal cargo carrier was won by the Renault Company. A total number of 2,596 of this vehicle was produced between 1934 and 1937.

After the fall of France in 1940 this carrier became a part of Wehrmacht armor groups. During the battles on the eastern front the Renault UE went under field modifications, one of which was to a tank destroyer. A 3.7cm Pak 35/36, as well as a captured Soviet 4.5cm weapons were used for this. However, they were of little value in this role as they were lightly armored and the 3.7cm did not have much punch.

Germany made greater use of captured equipment than any other nation during WWII. Some items were captured by occupation. Thousands of French tanks were acquired after the invasion. Of the French armored vehicles that the Germans captured only the Lorraigne met German requirements and became a standardized type. Most other French tanks were held in reserve, like the Renault UE. However, the progressive shortage of first-line equipment, caused by disruptive bombing of German industry, and the attrition on the Russian front led to the adaptation of French chassis being used as self-propelled guns.

In addition, some French tanks were put back into service by the German occupation forces. Most were used only in France, releasing first-line equipment for use elsewhere. Some French types were used in Russia, as earlier stated. Others were used for training and, with their turrets removed, as tractors and ammunition carriers.

TECHNICAL DATA:

CREW: 2
COMBAT WEIGHT: 3,300 KG
DIMENSIONS: length 2,940mm, width 1,750mm, height 1,240mm

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

This new kit, from RPM, is of the standard 3.7cm PAK 35/36 anti-tank gun on the French Renault UE infantry carrier. RPM has released several other versions of the UE in their product line. This kit gets more milage out of their UE mold - but is surely welcome. It is also the first of a new trio of kits with PE included. Something that this editor has not seen in their earlier releases.

The parts consist of five trees of parts, one fret of brass PE parts, and a decal sheet.

One light gray tree is the parts for the body of the UE. This tree has 27 parts on it.

One tree of dark green parts consists of 74 parts to make up the PAK 35/36. This tree of parts includes 2 ammo cases, 18 live and 6 spent ammo rounds, and the axle and wheels to make the weapon that it could be pulled behind the UE, if you so chose to build it that way. There are two types of carriage wheels: one set with bicycle type spokes and a second set with heavy metal rims. There is also a second gun barrel in a longer length than the one shown to be used in the instructions.

Two identical trees of white plastic parts are for the suspension and link and length type tracks. There are 56 parts on each of these trees, for a total of 112 total.

A small fret of brass PE is included, that has 27 parts on it: nose pieces, engine hatch sides, Renault nameplates, slotted muffler shield, and numerous brackets.

The decal sheet is common to this kit and the other 2 RPM kits received from Squadron Shop for review. It consists of two Cross of Lorraigne markings (not used for this captured German version), a swastika air recognition flag, some tactical and kill marks, and the white outline type German national crosses.

Conclusion

This looks like it will make up really neat. I have a picture of one of these vehicles in one book in my library here. I want to thank the Squadron Shop for this review sample.