The Little World

I bought this Tamiya tank kit on a whim – and a case of mistaken identity, too. But I am not disheartened.

Because I went to another shop and purchased the one I was originally thinking about later. Yet this Renault light tank is the one I’ll be building first.

The kit is pure Tamiya – perfect sprue trees and immense detail in the parts. A clearly-illustrated instruction sheet – with writing as well as good diagrams. No Czech assumption here – Tamiya want you to succeed with this kit, and they will help as much as they can. There is also a good colour call-out sheet with two options and clear illustration.

Fortunately, there are also extant examples of these little infantry tanks in museums – some better preserved than others. I intend to build it in good European condition, rather than the poor old weathered relic that is in the Latrun museum in Israel. There will be time enough for washed out ex-Soviet gear later on – my French collection will look good.

I have noted that the tracks are easy-build – not the flexi sort that are tough to glue together, nor the 6-pieces-per-link endurance tests that some of the Chinese kit makers love.

There is a figure included, but I am unsure of my ability to paint realistically enough for this. It has never been my interest or long suit.

Note that this is only the third Tamiya tank kit I’ve ever built – the others were in the late 60’s or early 70’s. Good for the time, but probably not up to modern standards. But then neither am I…