1:35 German Tanks in Norway & Finland # III. Beute-Somua tanks. PzKpfw 35 S 735 (f).

The real subject

In 1940 the Somua S35 was one of the best French tanks: it had strong armor made of cast sections, decent mobility and a gun that dealt with the opponents of the day. Its weakness was the one-man turret, where the commander loaded and fired at the same time and had no time left for commanding. A great many of these machines ended up in German hands after the defeat of France, and the Germans sent them where the newest hardware was not needed. The north of Europe was exactly such a place and the captured Somuas lasted in service there for a long time.

What the sheet covers

The markings concern the captured machines in German service in Norway and Finland, that is the national insignia, numbers and recognition features by which they differed from their original French form. The printing is in 1:35 scale, that is for the most common size of kits of ground hardware.

• markings for captured hardware in German service
• the northern theater as a less usual theme
• 1:35 scale for ordinary kits of ground hardware

Building and painting tips

The Somua has a great many rounded areas, so reckon with a larger element on the round turret not seating at the first attempt; smaller elements are easier to place. Paint the model and give it a coat of gloss varnish, and separate the elements with a sharp blade close to the print. Check the application procedure in the instructions enclosed with the sheet and use a decal softener only where the instructions allow it. Once it has dried, even the surface out with a varnish and only then shade it with a wash.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who like captured hardware and theaters away from the mainstream. This is a decal sheet; the kit of the vehicle, the paints and the glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.