First to Fight – 113 – French Light Command Tank AMR 35 ADFI (AMR 35 ADF 1)

Description:

Command variant of the French WWII Light tank AMR35 in 1/72 scale. A variation of First to Fight – 108 – French reconnaissance tank AMR 35 ZT 1b with new parts for “turret” and aerial antenna frame.

Platoon’s commanders had an ER29 radio equipping their standard AMR 35 tanks, but squadron’s commanders were in need of two radio sets (one to communicate with platoons and one to communicate with higher command levels) and add one crew men (radio operator) to handle communications. With this purpose a new “communications” variants was produced, making room for a third crew member and the two radios.

In this communications variant the turret was indeed a dummy superstructure, fixed, resembling the shape of the original turret. The armament was absent, or just a FM 24-29 machine-gun was fitted, which was part of the crew equipment, and the gear box was moved to the front to allow to allocate the radio operator.

This variant, official name ADF-1, was produced with two different radio equipments, the first prototype was produced with two ER29 radio equipments, but rest of the built ADF 1s were fitted an ER29 and an ER26 which required the large horizontal antenna up the turret, and helping enemy to clearly identify the tank as a command tank, with priority to be targeted. Only 13 tanks of this type were produced.