Model Car Military Tank RENAULT R 25 - Solido (French manufacturing) - box N°DH0639
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This French collectible miniature is a centerpiece for any military history and defense automotive enthusiast. Crafted with the legendary know-how of Solido, it showcases the excellence of French industry in both defense and miniatures.
Miniature Characteristics
- Model: Military Tank Renault R 35
- Brand: Renault
- Year: 1935-1940
- Scale: To be determined
- Manufacturer: Solido
- Reference: DH0639
- Protective casing included: Yes
The Renault R 35: An Interwar Armored Vehicle
The Renault R 35 was developed in the tense context of the 1930s, as Europe geared up for a new conflict. Designed as a light infantry tank, it was meant to accompany infantry on their advances and provide mobile fire support against enemy positions.
With its 40 mm armor and 37 mm gun, the R 35 represented an intelligent compromise between protection, mobility, and firepower at the time. Its design prioritized robustness and reliability, typical characteristics of Renault engineering from that period. Over 1600 units were produced, making this armored vehicle one of the most widespread French tanks at the onset of World War II.
The impact of this vehicle went beyond French borders, as it was also exported to several allied countries, including Poland and Romania, showcasing international recognition of French expertise in light armored vehicles.
Renault and the Defense Industry
At the time of designing the R 35, Renault had already established itself as a major player in French defense industry. The Billancourt-based company had gained a solid reputation thanks to the famous Renault FT tank, the first armored vehicle with a rotating turret that revolutionized trench warfare during the First World War.
In the 1930s, Louis Renault led a diversified industrial empire, capable of producing both civilian automobiles and sophisticated military vehicles. This versatility allowed the diamond-marked brand to respond effectively to orders from the French State, which sought to modernize its armored arsenal in light of increasing European tensions. The expertise accumulated since 1917 in the field of military vehicles naturally positioned Renault as the preferred partner of the French army.
A Tragic Fate and an Unexpected Rebirth
The story of the Renault R 35 contains a dramatic irony of History. Designed to defend France, this tank paradoxically found itself used by the German army after the 1940 armistice. Occupying forces recovered numerous abandoned or captured units, sometimes converting them into fearsome anti-tank hunters.
But the most surprising anecdote concerns their second life after the war. Several surviving R 35 units were repurposed as... agricultural tractors! Pragmatic French farmers removed the armament and used the robust Renault mechanics for fieldwork. These former instruments of war then peacefully plowed the lands they had once defended.
Some R 35 even experienced an unexpected cinematic career. In the 1960s and 1970s, several restored units participated in the filming of French war films, playing both heroic French tanks and threatening German armored vehicles, depending on the storyline needs and some aesthetic modifications.
This post-military versatility attests to the solid design of the R 35, capable of serving in roles as varied as unexpected, far removed from its initial mission of national territory defense.
Complete Your Collection of Military Miniatures
This Solido miniature of the Renault R 35 occupies a special place in the world of military vehicle collectors. It fits perfectly into a collection dedicated to French armored vehicles or Second World War vehicles, offering a fascinating historical counterpoint to the larger tanks of this period.
Collectors will particularly appreciate its complementarity with other Solido models from the same era, notably the civil Renault vehicles of the 1930s. This miniature also finds its place alongside military miniatures from other manufacturers, creating a coherent historical diorama. It will charm both military history enthusiasts and collectors of Renault vehicles, showcasing the surprising diversity of the French manufacturer's production beyond simple civilian automobiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to understand the scales of miniatures?
Scale indicates the reduction ratio between the real car and the miniature. For example, at 1:43 scale, each centimeter on the miniature corresponds to 43 centimeters on the real vehicle.
Concretely, a 1/18 scale Ferrari model is approximately 25-30 cm long, while in 1/43 scale it measures approximately 10 cm.
What scales are available?
Our model cars are mainly offered in 1/43, 1/24, 1/18 and 1/87 (HO) scales. The scale is always indicated in the product sheet.
The smaller the second number, the larger the model car (e.g. 1/18 is larger than 1/43).
Does the model car come with protection?
Yes, each model car is systematically delivered in its protective box. This box preserves the collectible value and protects your model car from dust and shocks.
How is my package protected during transport?
We package each order with the utmost care: bubble wrap, appropriate cushioning, and polystyrene. Your model car is perfectly secure during its journey.
What is the delivery time?
In-stock items are shipped within 24-48 hours. Please allow 2-3 business days for France via Colissimo or 4-5 days via Mondial Relay.
The model car is no longer in stock, when will you have it?
It's impossible for me to know exactly when I'll receive a new stock because I receive arrivals in dribs and drabs. Please contact me so I can keep you informed as soon as it's available.
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