Hi,
I’m researching for the Trumpeter H-35/38. One point of confusion I have is regarding the vision ports. At what point were the binocular ports switched to the slit-type? I’ve mostly been all over the chars-francais site and I have yet to find a pic of a Hotchkiss with the later (raised, flat) engine deck and the binocular vision ports. Is the kit wrong?
I like the look of the bino-ports, but they don't seem to be appropriate for anything but a -35.
Any help will earn you special consideration for a (minor) post in my government after the revolution. But you must look good in a nehru jacket.

Also posted at ML & PA.

I'm not exactly sure how much research Trumpeter did for their H35/38 (sic), but it doesn't seem to have been very extensive. If you've looked through Chars francais without success, then the chances of finding an H-39 with diascopes is pretty remote. You'll also have found that the combination of SA-18 short gun and trench-crossing tail is pretty unlikely too. Episcopes were introduced just pre-war (probably) and there was a rolling programme to replace the diascopes in older APX-R turrets right up until the German invasion in May 1940.

Easiest way out is to find someone with either the Heller H-35 or R-35 as these offer the choice of diascope and episcope parts and get hold of the episcope parts.

David

David,
thanks so much for the info. I sort of suspected that was the case. I wonder if I could scratchbuild the earlier engine deck and just turn it into a -35? Serves me right for impulse-buying.

Last night I found a photo of a couple of H-39s that did have diascopes fitted - in a pre-war photo in Histoire de Guerre magazine No 77

David

D'oh - the combination of SA-18 gun and trench crossing tail isn't impossible either.



But if you try and add the mounts for the tow hooks (Trumpeter overlook these completely) you find that the kit tail won't fit between them.

My Trumpeter H-39 has been a source of 'joy' to me over the last couple of months. Apart from PE, I've also added a lip of plastic strip around the lower edge of the upper hull casting, moved the track guard supports, shifted some of the interior bits about (WARNING: some of the Chars francais interior photos are of an R-35), shifted some of the tool stowage, replaced the wire cutters, stolen a spare wheel carrier from the Heller Hotchkiss and moved the mounts for the hooks on the hull sides rearwards and probably a few other things. Oh - use the idler mounts that don't have a separate pin for the wheel then the idler will be in line with the rest of the wheels, and also push them down as far as it will go or the idler fouls the rear of the trackguard. Still have to add a muzzle for the coax.

EDIT: Shortened the track by three links as well

David