Tamiya 300035344 1:35 French Somua S35 Military Tank Green

Wish I had an excuse to make another. Went together like a breeze!

5 Star. Period. Although this vehicle is relatively small, it's loaded with exterior detail, which of course means that there are a number of smallish parts that require patience and some experience. I would rate this kit as Moderate Plus. The real joy with this kit is rendering the camouflage as per the numerous unique options employed by the French military during this time period. I started with a Tamiya Black base coat as this not only offers shadow/depth when the other colors are applied, but also because I decided that this would be the best way to depict the black "stripes" present on the overall Camo Scheme. I used the "silly puddy" method to block the areas in which I wanted the black part of the camo as well as masking off the Brown, Olive, light Green and Sky Blue portions of the scheme. This is of course time consuming, particularly when you are flushing/cleaning your airbrush with each color change, but the results are tremendous. I then used a various mix of artist oils and streaking enamels for color modulation and weathering to go with a minimal use of paint brush chipping. As someone else mentioned, I didn't want to overdo the weathering as I loved the end result of the camo scheme so much. I did a terrible job with the storage container straps, so that's something that I'll need to remedy in the near future. Great kit. So much fun. 01-07-2022 - I decided to apply a new camo scheme and re-do the weathering.

Good: Easy build. Good exterior detail. Love the snap together tracks. Much easier than magic tracks and look just as good. Bad: No interior at all, so I don't like to show this with open hatches even though this is an option. Exterior storage bins should have included seperate straps instead of molded straps. Detail was lost in painting. This kit came without plastic wrap and missing the clear parts, so I am not pleased with the vendor.

This is an excellent kit, typical of Tamiya with a good balance of parts count and resulting detail. It's a shame that the fine suspension detail is almost entirely covered up by side shields. I chose a four-color paint scheme from among the four detailed painting options provided by Tamiya. They also included some helpful photo references from a museum tank. This kit included a new track design by Tamiya. Individual links snap together without glue. Both sides must be assembled track link by track link. My finger tips were a bit sore by the time the tracks were finished, but the result is nice and the design permits convenient painting. The only downside I encountered was snapping the final link together with the tracks wrapped around the wheels. Instructions call for completing this over the center point of a road wheel which provides a firm backing for snapping the links together. I struggled with one side and opted to glue the final link. The other side snapped together more easily. This was a very small tank. Next to my other 1/35 kits, it looks tiny. The finished product is superb. It's a great airing to my collection.

While there may be ways to improve this model, I can't think of any. Clear instructions, full-color glossy painting guide, great parts engineering, no visible ejector pin marks, no flash, perfect fit, outstanding detail, clear parts for lamps and sight. I'm glad to see Tamiya produce French equipment. Although the French lost the Battle of France, most of their soldiers fought courageously and deserve more credit than they typically receive.

Refreshingly different from other more famous tanks, this French Somua is also colorful and fun to build. Beautifully engineered, of course, particularly the tiny individual tracks which take patience and hands the size of a Barbie doll to link up but they snap together effectively and are well worth the effort (I might recommend painting them after attaching to the hull, however, which was not what I tried. Painting and staining the treads tends to weaken their linkage a bit.) The tow chain is also a great realistic touch. Painting options are especially fun and can result in a uniquely colorful tank. Though I weathered away much of that brightness, this would be a good model to depict rolling into confrontation with the Germans for the first time where, I discovered, they performed surprisingly well.

This kit was simple, well designed, and the click together tracks are a joy- oh why not on all kits Tammy??! Click together tracks went quickly and look the part. Only one issue with decal for 4th Cuirassier Division. The Red shield with horse marking should be mirror imaged on the right side but sadly they both face the same way. Other than that mine is ready to paint in the 18th Dragoon "White 56" due to it being my age at time of build! I definitely recommend this kit, figure is superb and not like old figures, much more detail and realism. Highly recommended. Great build with no difficulties.

Another super Tamiya plastic model kit! Delivery from Japan was 13 days before deadline. Happy customer.

tamiya siempre es sinónimo de calidad y este modelo no va a decir lo contrario. Magnifica maqueta a muy buen precio

Perfect in all aspects

alles i.O.

Qualité Tamiya, rien à redire

流石タミヤの組立易さ！再現性も高く、ドイツ鹵獲仕様への改造も簡単！