1:35 Renault Beobachtungspanzer UE-conv.setTAM

Renault Beobachtungspanzer UE 1:35, a resin conversion from CMK

A conversion set in 1:35 scale from the Czech maker CMK. It turns a plastic kit of the small French Renault UE tracked carrier into the version adapted for artillery observation. The set does not make a model on its own: the base kit has to be obtained separately and some of its plastic cut away during the build.

What the conversion changes on the model

The observation conversion replaces the original carrying compartment with a fixed superstructure holding a crew station. The change shows most on the rear of the hull and in the overall silhouette, which the ordinary kit does not have. The exact contents of the package and the number of parts are stated on the packaging; before buying, compare the set with the kit you have.

Working with resin step by step

Wash the castings first in warm soapy water and let them dry thoroughly, because residues of mold release agent stop both paint and glue from adhering. Cut the casting blocks off with a fine saw or a cutting disc, not with nippers: resin is brittle and cracks where the jaws bite. Sand wet and with your airways protected. The joints are held by cyanoacrylate glue; cement for plastic does not act on resin. Take the hull plastic away gradually and keep dry-fitting: you can always take a little more off, but you cannot put it back.

When the conversion is worth it and when it is not

• It is worth it when you want a version that is not generally available as a ready-made kit, which is the main thing you get for the work.
• It is worth it if you are building from a particular period photograph and the shape of the superstructure matters to you.
• It is not worth it if you are after a quick build out of the box, because a conversion means cutting into the plastic for good.
• It is not worth it as a first encounter with resin; small detail sets are better for getting your bearings.

The set is an accessory to a kit, not a model in its own right. It is supplied unassembled and unpainted; the base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.