To add a couple of cents worth, I too like the little French tractor.....but, where's the revelation....the revolution from Tamiya? Tamy's used to be a favored....but now? Other than the Char....they've not come out with any thing that could be considered a "show stopper" in how long? Shame from such a formerly formidible company (at least when it comes to armor).

Maybe next year.

Mike

Uh...okay...

And this is more appealing than, say, the US T-28theresoneatFtKnoxferkriessakes because....

Heaven Forfend Tamiya doesnt make yet another one-off(or Imaginary) German air droppable Panther "Z" with amphibious capability & twin '75's....

Someday people might realize there was more to WW2 Armor than what rolled in a Panzer Division.

Thos little renault's were used by both sides in europe. I am sure many will have some use for it. Personally I like the duece and a half.

I'm not suprised at the reaction the news of this release has stirred up.
In a perfect world, Tamiya would rekit their "classic" kits like the Matilda, Daimler, Stuarts, Lee/Grant, Panzer II, etc, etc, etc....
It's unfortunate that not everyone appreciates what this "little tractor" means.
Tamiya has been "sitting on the bench" of late when you consider the number of new 1/35th scale kits being released by their competitors.
Lately, they've obviously been concentrating on the growing interest in 1/48th scale kits.
But at least they haven't totally abandoned 1/35th scale as a market.
This little Renault may not be mainstream in it's popularity but at least it's reasonably original(save for the !@#$%^&* RPM kits).
I'll grab a couple when they're released, just for the novelty of something from early WW II.
Keep up the great builds guys!!!
Cheers

jjumbo

I don't know why people are getting all bent out of shape over this. Tamiya owe us nothing. I presume they do some research into the market so they must think they will at least break even with this.
Plus it will to quote the "ronseal " ad do "exactly what it says on the tin" build up into a good model without the need for any upgrade sets or premium versions.
Tamiya's more recent (Last ten years) kits don't have any dimensional or fit problems to speak of.
The big bonus with this is the inclusion of 4 figures.

For my part, I'm genuinely pleased that Tamiya are doing a Renault UE, as the Mirage one I started remains unfinished.

A Somua S-35 to follow would really make my day

David

I for one can't understand some of the negative comments this has generated both here (and especially on Missing Lynx). It's a hell of an unusual (and useful) vehicle for a 'Mainstream' manufacturer to produce albeit not one that will push anyone's adrenalin levels to dangerous heights

I would be extremely surprised if Tamiya DON'T announce something else (larger? ) during the course of the year in 1/35th scale.

Nor did I notice this thread earlier or I wouldn't have added my own

well If Tamiya go French, I will be the first one to be happy but I will be really happy to see more modern French items like VAB, VBL, AMX30 Brenus, now these kits are only in resins and very expensive.

Maybe some derivatives versions of Leclerc and we can dream to see the VBCI the french Stryker

seb

If Tamiya are looking at the less well-known French AFVs, then how about this other Renault product?



I've just bought the H&C books on Renault AMRs (well worth it!) and would like to get my hands on some models of them.

David

Tamiya is lately only doing the 1/48 ..... good for their business (easier assembly, less shelf space=larger collection....)

However, my money now goes to Dragon and Trumpeter, or even Italeri (Elco Torpedo Boat simply rocks)

Wake up Tamiya, 1/35 is still make or break....

I certainly didn't mean to sound negative or critical. It's just that I like Tamiya's quality and I guess I was hoping for something big and impressive.. maybe along the line of their Famo+trailer or Dragon wagon. After all, we get only one 1/35 scale kit from them a year. Or that's what seems to be the case.

I'm just make do buying most of their 1/48 kits now.

Tamiya play their cards very close to their chest - who knows what else they're planning ?

David

A lot of people seem upset, other seem happy. Some feel Tamiya owes us something, others say they'll buy 4 of these. I agree that it is a useful vehicle. I would have preferred an R35, which at least would have been a little more mainstream and no less useful. And the AMPS Prez posted on ML, calculating that retail price in USA will probably be close to $45! That's a lot for such a tiny thing, even w/4 figures (are Tamiya figs THAT good?). Do you really want 4 at that price, even from the "net" dealers that sell for less? I for one will pass on this unless I find that I need one for a particular dio project, which I doubt. I just feel an R35 would actually get Tamiya some returns.......

Rob

As someone not interested in 1/48th I cant help but be disapointed that Tamiya are concentrating on that scale and 'ignoring' 1/35, however, I can see why, 1/48 is popular and currently Tamiya have pretty much the entire AFV market to themselves and therefore want to capitalise on this.
As for the Renault, I built the Mirage one a while back which leaves a lot to be desired and so the Tamiya one will surely be well ahead in quality.
If it is their only release in 1/35 (I sure hope not!) they could have put out worse, it's different, can be modelled as axis or allied in almost any theatre and comes with french troops, a rarity so far.
The trailer is also interesting, there is a pic on beutepanzer of a captured bren carrier towing this which would be an interesting combo for example.

Personally, I say don't knock it, an improvement on a rare kit is far better than making a replica of something already out there by another company.
On the other hand it would be nice to see something completely new (and more in 1/35 please!)

James

I picked up two Mirage kits of that vehicle. One has a bolted armor superstructure housing a machine gun and one has the wood crate rocket launchers mounted on the rear. Haven't built either one yet, but am looking forward to them.

I might buy a UE for a captured vehicle but I'm not overly enthused about it.

However that 1/48 deuce and half will fit nicely into a dio with an airplane model. And when someone does a gas truck conversation than it's off to the races with the aircraft modelers with dioramas. And since Tamiya dragged their fannies Hasegawa did a 1/48 Jeep and I snagged two so far.

Some of the 1/35 one off or happy hour design is interesting but the really obscure stuff is nuts. I'd rather see more common vehicles done. Now if someone would do a new deuce and half with a water/gas tank and other setups that would get me going.

The Renault isn't really interesting to me, I was keeping my fingers crossed for a FT-17. The Tiger maintenance crew figure set, on the other hand will be an insta-buy for me, since it allows one to make a decent vignette in a small space (plus adding figures onto a vehicle makes hiding flaws a lot easier).

What a neat little vehicle! I will definately get one!

Well, yes, I have it on good authority that indeed, a certain company is going to come out with the Panther Z... Taking pre-orders very soon!

See proof that the Panther Z was indeed real here:


Panther Z

THAT'S Funny! And pretty cool looking.

I for one have never built a paper panzer. As I said twice earlier, an R35 would have been nice. Or a Somua. Or a new Matilda, M29 Weasel, etc. Many vehicles still not done/done poorly that Tamiya could have done. This carrier isn't the worst thing in the world. Just not my cup of tea.

Rob

I was REALLY excited by the news that Tamiya were doing the Renault UE. My interest is armour from the Battle of France so it is right up my alley. Sure I would also like a Somua S35 or Renault R35 or even an accurate Hotchkiss H38 but I will take what I can get. I have pre-ordered one from HLJ ($25AUD) and if it is as good as I hope I will get a couple more. They are very cute.

My only concern is how Tamiya will handle the tracks. I hope we don't end up with a set of tracks like the Tamiya British Universal carrier.

Cheers,
TimTam27

Tim Tam27,
Thanks for the heads up in letting us know they are already available for pre-order.! I just pre-ordered mine from HLJ also and it cost US $21.60. Not a bad price at all! I'm really looking forward to this one.

Jeff

I hope those who are looking forward to Tamiya's future releases, are happy with them and enjoy building them.

Tamiya could generate a lot of interest very quickly by 'overhauling' their older kits, if we had new tracks for the universal carrier, sponsons and raised weld beads for the shermans etc. etc. They could generate a lot of interest/profit quickly and easily with minimal cost to themselves, at the moment their idea of an overhaul has been to add a couple of new figures to the same old kit.

James