Tamiya H39

I just got this a few days ago and have to start it right away.
I’m no tamiya fan boy, but I’m a H39 fan boy, and this will be the best on the market.



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My plan is to make a German version and I’m trying to figure out what unit this belongs to.



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This might be a fun one to do for the IDF77 Campaign.. They were used by the “Russian Company” during the War of Independence in 1948. The color photos are from the IDF Armor Museum and the colors are wrong. They would have been painted whatever shade of OD/Khaki Drab the French were using immediate post-war. I’m finishing up an Israeli Cromwell, one of two used by the “English Company” during the War of Independence (they were “donated” to the Haganah by their drivers when the British were withdrawing and boarding at Haifa).


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I always wondered what their colors would have been.

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They sure look to be a dark color- https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/hotchkiss-h39-in-israeli-service/

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At least two German units used these tanks in Yugoslavia - Pz Abt 202 (numbers on turret, crosses on hull), and 7SS Prinz Eugen (crosses on turret, headlights added),
Initially, radio antena was mounted on front left bumper(?), later on it was transferred to back right side as seen on your image,
Marko

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Mudguard :slight_smile: The Tamiya kit has an antenna to put there for the German version.

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But no antenna base.

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I think that you posted this in the wrong forum?

Oops lol

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Suspension assembles nicely and looks the part.

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Looks good. I received 2 of these on Monday, and have 2 more on order. Back in the late 70s I bought 6 of the Heller kits, and a similar number of Bronco kits some years back. Interestingly the width of the upper hull is almost identical to that of the Heller kit, so it would be possible to graft the engine deck of their H-35 onto the Tamiya hull. I’m planning to build all of mine as French vehicles - no real interest in Beute panzers

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Thanks, I really have no interest in French vehicles for some reason.

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Tracks done on left side, easy fit and I saw no typical tamiya knock out marks on them.

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Other side done.

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I’m going to build mine as none of the options yet mentioned :slight_smile:

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23rd Panzer Div trained in them when formed in 1942.

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Like these?

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For anyone else considering or owning this model, World War Photos has lots of H39 reference pictures. These little tanks really got around so marking and painting options are plentiful. Playing card symbols are very common on vehicles in French service.

This model should be a really good choice for anyone seeking an easy project. Not only is it a fairly simple vehicle, one color camouflage paint options are available.

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Nope :slight_smile: I strongly suspect you’re never going to guess correctly …

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