Renault Modèle R-35 Light Tanks:
American officers inspecting R-35 captured in Syria:
In 1934 requirements were sent out for a tank to replace the FT-17. Compagni Général de Construction des Locomotives, Delaunay-Belleville, FCM, and Renault submitted designs.
In May 1935 an order of 300 of the Renault models (known as the Renault ZM) were selected for production. Never replaced the FT-17 as only 1,600 were available by 1940. These equipped 23 battalions. It was based on the Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance 1935 Type ZT that was designed for the cavalry. The suspension and running gear were similar.
The prototypes were still being tested when the Germans reoccupied the Rhineland in March 1935. The prompted an urgent demand for rearmament. The ZM was immediately put into production with 300 being ordered initially.
Three cast sections that were bolted together.7 The side plates carried bogies and front driving sprocket. The final drive and differentials were housed under nose plates.7 The engine compartment had two access door and carried the idler wheels.7 It was steered through a Cletrac geared differential and brakes. The driver was located to left side and had 2 visor doors. The turret had a domed cupola with vision slits and had to be hand cranked. The side plates carried the suspensions and front drive sprocket.7
The driver was located on the left and the engine and transmission on the right.7 The commander had to stand on the floor of the main compartment.7 The commander did have a seat that rotated with the turret.7 There was a seat for the commander but most often stood. There was a hatch in the rear of the turret7 that opened down and could be used as a seat.
Became standard infantry tank in April 1935. Early vehicles were fitted with the L. 713 (APX-R) turret mounting the 37 mm Sa18 gun. Next the L.739 turret with 37 mm Sa18 M37 gun. Last production vehicles had the L.767 turret with the long barreled 37 mm Sa38. The machine guns spent shells went down a chute through a hole in the floor. The 37 mm AP round weighed 1.1 lb, and went 1,273'/sec.8
Initially had no radio, but later models had one installed. However, this added to the tasks of the commander.
The engine was to the right in the rear with the self sealing fuel tank on the left. There was a fire proof partition between the engine and fighting compartment.7
Steering levers controlled the brake bands in the differential and the epicyclic gears.7
Some were fitted with tails to help in trench crossing.
Large numbers fell into German hands and had turrets removed and used for artillery tractors and ammunition carriers. A few also were converted into self-propelled artillery or antitank guns.
There were 945 R-35/R-40 tanks in the front lines. 810 were mixed in with the army as infantry support and 135 were with the 4th DCR (Division Cuirassée de Réserve).
Exported to Poland, Turkey, Romania, and Yugoslavia.
R-35 Avec Tourelle FCM-36:
Had welded FCM turret installed. Only in prototype stages.4
R-35 Avec Nouveau Tourelle:
Had cast FCM turret installed. Only in prototype stages.4
R-35 Fascine carrier:
Had a frame mounted over the hull and turret with a fascine for dropping into trenches.
German Use:
Some turrets were used in Atlantic wall defenses. Others were converted to self-propelled artillery with 105 mm howitzer, 81 mm mortar, or 47 mm antitank gun installed.
PzKpfw 35R 731(f):
Used in occupational duties in France and 6 platoons to the Channel Islands. Used in reconnaissance units during invasion of Russia. Issued to the 100th Panzerbrigade of the 21st Panzer Division when it was being reformed in 1943. Many were scattered through the infantry divisions in France.
Had a FuG5 radio installed.3
Munitionspanzer 35R (f), Munitionsschlepper 35R(f):
Turret removed and used as ammunition carrier.
4.7 cm Pak (t) auf Gw R-35 (f)
10.5 cm Le FH 18 auf Gw 35R (f):
Turret removed with open superstructure and had howitzer installed. Produced during 1943-1944.
Mörserträger 35r (f):
Had 80 mm mortar installed.
Italian Use:
Approximately 124 were taken over by the Italians. Radios were installed and were used in Sicily.
| Renault R-35 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver 21,2,3,4,5,7,8 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 23,400 lb, 22,046 lb5, 22,400 lb 9.8 tons2, 10 tons3,4,7, 10.43 tons1, 10.6 tons6, 10.8 tons8 10,000 kg5, 10,181 kg, 10,600 kg |
| Length w/gun | 13.1'8, 13' 2", 13' 9.25"5, 13' 10", 13' 4", 13.16'4, 13' 2.27"1 4.02 m1,3,6, 4.2 m5, 4 m2, 4.1 m |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 6.9'8, 6' 10", 6' 4", 7' 9.25"5, 6.83'4, 6' 11.8"1 1.94 m3, 2.4 m, 2.08 m, 2.37 m5, 2.13 m1,6, 2.1 m2 |
| Width | 6.1'8, 6' 2", 6' 1", 6.075'5, 6.08'4, 5' 11.8"1 1.9 m, 1.87 m3,6, 1.85 m2,5, 2.13 m1 |
| Ground clearance | 12.6"8, 1' 0.5" 0.32 m2 |
| Ground contact length | 85.8"8 |
| Ground pressure | 9.52 psi, 12 psi8, 12.23 psi 0.86 (kg/cm2)2 |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 37 mm1 (see notes) 37 mm L/212,3 37 mm4,5,7 37 mm SA186 37 mm SA18, L/218 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.5 mm MG, coaxial4,5,6 7.5 mm MG1 MG2,7 7.5 mm MG313 7.5 mm Model 31 Chatellerault MG8 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 1006, 582,3,8 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2,5002,8, 2,4003 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 1.2"8, 406 Side: 1.6"8 401,4,5,7 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 32@15°3 & round3 322 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 32@round3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 40@10°3 402 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 40@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 40@11°3 & 40@35°3 402 |
| Hull Top | 152 13@90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 142 14@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 45@0°3 & 25°3 Mantlet: 45@round3 1.8"8, 452 |
| Turret Sides | 40@30°3 1.6"8, 402 |
| Turret Rear | 40@30°3 402 |
| Turret Top | 302, 12@90°3 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Renault1,2 5.8 liter3 Renault2,4,5,7,8 |
| Cooling method | Water2,4,8 |
| Cylinders | 42,3,4,5,7,8 |
| Net HP | 824,5,6,7 82@2,200 rpm2,8 80@2,200 rpm3 |
| Transmission | 4 forward, 1 reverse.2,3,8 |
| Steering | Cleveland tractor type8 |
| Starter | |
| Electrical system | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline2,4,5,8 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | 44 gallons, 45 gallons8 168 liters2 |
| Fuel consumption - road | |
| Fuel consumption - cross country | |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand3,8 |
| Max Speed | 12 mph8, 12.4 mph5, 12.5 mph1,4,7 19 kph2, 19.2 kph, 20 kph1,3,5,6 |
| Cross Country speed | 7.5 mph, 12.5 mph |
| Road radius | 80.1 miles1, 86 miles8, 87 miles5, 90 miles7 130 km1, 138 km2, 140 km3,5 |
| Cross Country radius | 50 miles8 80 km2 |
| Turning Radius | 8.5 m2 |
| Elevation Limits | |
| Fording depth | 23.6"8, 2' 7"5 0.6 m2, 0.8 m5 |
| Trench crossing | 5' 3"5 1.6 m5 w/tail: 6' 7", 2 m |
| Vertical Obstacle | 1' 7.7"5, 1' 10" 0.5 m5 |
| Climbing ability | |
| Suspension (Type) | Cylinder, articulated bogies (bellcranks with springs) 1st mounted independently7, other 4 on 2 bogies 2 pairs on bellcranks7 Cletrac2,7 Hotchkiss scissors with concentric coil springs8 |
| Wheels each side | 52,7,8 rubber tired |
| Return rollers each side | 37,8 |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin8 |
| Length | |
| Width | 10.5"8, 11" 260 mm2 |
| Number of links | 1238 |
| Pitch | 2.76"8 |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 5.1'8 |
| Production | 1935-1940 : 1,6005,7 Renault3 Renault et Cie, 1935-8 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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