Renault R40 (Char leger Modele 1935 R Modifie 1939)
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 1:32 pm
The Renault R40 Infantry Light Tank was an offshoot of the earlier R35 series tank of 1936.
Upgrade
Leading up to World War 2 (1939-1945), a new suspension design from AMX was selected for installation on existing R35 tanks already in service. Testing of the new arrangement ended in December of 1938 and the decision was made in February of 1939 to upgrade the series. The modified tanks would be recognized as "Char Leger Modele 1935 R Modifie 1939" but history better remembers the variant as the Renault "R40" (though this was not an official type designation by the French Army) due to its many instituted changes.
Invasion
During the invasion of France the R40 stocked at least two French battalions and a single Polish brigade fighting in France. All of these were either lost in battle or claimed by the conquering Germans and their fate sealed. None managed to survive the war and it is believed that only about 130 of the type were completed before the German victory - while a few dozen more hulls lay awaiting their turrets which never arrived.
This is an upgrade for the R35 Take it or leave it.
Upgrade
Leading up to World War 2 (1939-1945), a new suspension design from AMX was selected for installation on existing R35 tanks already in service. Testing of the new arrangement ended in December of 1938 and the decision was made in February of 1939 to upgrade the series. The modified tanks would be recognized as "Char Leger Modele 1935 R Modifie 1939" but history better remembers the variant as the Renault "R40" (though this was not an official type designation by the French Army) due to its many instituted changes.
Invasion
During the invasion of France the R40 stocked at least two French battalions and a single Polish brigade fighting in France. All of these were either lost in battle or claimed by the conquering Germans and their fate sealed. None managed to survive the war and it is believed that only about 130 of the type were completed before the German victory - while a few dozen more hulls lay awaiting their turrets which never arrived.
This is an upgrade for the R35 Take it or leave it.