First to Fight – 115 – Hotchkiss H38 with SA18 cannon

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a French Hotchkiss H38 WWII tank.

The Hotchkiss H38 was a French light tank developed as an improved version of the Hotchkiss H35, featuring a more powerful engine and better mobility. Initially designed as an infantry support tank, early production models were still armed with the 37mm SA 18 cannon, a low-velocity gun primarily intended for engaging infantry and light vehicles rather than enemy tanks.

Despite its 30mm of frontal armor, which provided decent protection against small arms and light anti-tank weapons, the H38 with the SA 18 struggled against German armor during the Battle of France in 1940. Its gun lacked the penetration power to effectively combat Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks, making it largely obsolete in tank-on-tank engagements.

This kit is an update on the Hotchkiss H35 line, as the real model was. Update with some new parts.