Difference between revisions of "R.35 (SA38)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=fr_renault_r39}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=fr_renault_r39
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was the most common tank in the French Armed Forces at the start of WWII, with 900 units in active service. The tank was doctrinally intended for infantry support, being fielded in infantry tank battalions, as such, the vehicle had a very poor anti-tank performance. Not all R.35s received the SA 38 gun, instead, H.35s and H.39s had priority in this aspect. A limited version of the R.35 sometimes referred as R.40 saw limited service. A few were used by the French Resistance during the fall of Paris in 1944.
 +
 
 +
It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]] as the R.39 and was subsequently renamed R.35 (SA38) in [[Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy"]]. The R.35 is in many ways similar to the other light tanks in the lower French tech tree; mobility is exchanged for thicker armour. It also has the other well-known features like a one-man turret and a decent gun with poor post-penetration damage. The reload time is longer than that of most tanks at its rank, but this is usually overcome by its low silhouette and thick side armour. It shares many of its shortcomings with other French tanks of rank I, so players should already be used to the playstyle. It is overall a decent vehicle, with very potent armour and a sluggish top speed.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
With good armour thickness and surprising hull angles, this tank can take some beating at a distance, provided you do not get a lucky shot in the turret ring or that you face a heavy-hitting gun. This should get you into effective combat ranges (500- m) in relative safety. The most obvious weak spot is its turret flat left side, which is only 45 mm thick and badly angled, this makes hull-down position ineffective.
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
With its heavy side armour, one should use angles at its advantages and angle it at about 35° while facing opponents. Such an angling gives about 60 mm of effective thickness for 80% of the exposed area.
 +
 
 +
In an ambush position, this tank could face its opponents backwards (engine deck first). This unusual tactic could confuse enemies for a moment and provide extra protection as your engine may absorb shots. This will also decrease the chances of a lucky penetration : if turret is facing enemy, almost 90% of exposed surfaces have ~60 + mm of LoS thickness. If danger gets too high, you could give it the gas and "fly" away in forward motion.
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (hull, turret, cupola)
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (front glacis, engine vents)
 +
* Structural steel (mudguards, trench-crossing tail, storage boxes, exhaust cover)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 32 mm (23-61°) ''Upper plate'' <br> 32 mm (23°) ''Driver hatch'' <br> 25 mm (74°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 32 mm (24-26°) ''Lower plate'' <br> 32 mm (cylindrical) ''Lower glacis'' || 40 mm (4-28°) ''Top'' <br> 40 mm ''Bottom'' || 40 mm (12°) ''Top'' <br> 40 mm (33°) ''Bottom'' || 25 mm (16°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 25 mm ''Centre'' <br> 25 mm (1-6°) ''Rear'' <br> 5 mm ''Engine vents''
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 45 mm (4-28°) ''Turret front'' <br> 45 mm (28-30°) ''Left side'' <br> 25 mm (10-11°) + 45 mm (4°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 40 mm (0-28°) || 40 mm (30°) || 25 mm (22°) Front <br> 25 mm ''Centre and rear''
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | 40 mm (cylindrical) ''Base'' <br> 40 mm (spherical) ''Dome''
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels, bogies and tracks are 15 mm thick.
 +
* The trench-crossing tail is 5 mm thick and the mudguards are 4 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=89|rbMinHp=73}}
 +
 
 +
The mobility is the {{PAGENAME}}'s biggest weakness: while it does not like long-range engagements and needs to close-up with its foes in order to damage them, its very low speed will always leave it far behind its allies. With its narrow tracks and poor power ratio (8.09 HP/ton), the {{PAGENAME}} hates being taken out in the mud as its speeds fall drastically. 20 km/h forward and -3 km/h backwards is all you'll get from this struggling 73 HP engine. Plan your moves in advance and do not stay too near to the front line as a successful retreat is hard to achieve with such a slow tank.
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|SA38 L/33 (37 mm)}}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[SA38 L/33 (37 mm)|37 mm SA38 L/33]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 58 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+12° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Shoulder || 14.9 || 20.7 || 25.1 || 27.8 || 29.6 || rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" | 4.60 || rowspan="2" | 4.24 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 9.3 || 11.0 || 13.3 || 14.8 || 15.7
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The 37 mm SA38 cannon has significantly better penetration and post-penetration damage than its predecessor, but has a longer reload rate than its peers. Know the layout of enemy vehicles well, target their gunners first or immobilize them by shooting at the engine, and make every shot count. Avoid exchanging shots at long distances as your gun's penetration values decrease heavily beyond 500 m. The turret traverse speed is also an issue since you'll not be able to react in time to flanking opponents.
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:SA38 L/33 (37 mm)/Ammunition|Mle1938}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.1.0.94''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''58''' || 45&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+57)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Note''':
 +
 
 +
* As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 1,800 (150) || 551 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
'''Gameplay summary:'''
 +
 
 +
The R.35 is a decent light tank for its battle rating, so long as it is played with the right tactics. The most important aspect of R.35 gameplay is armour angling. Being that the side armour is actually thicker than the front armour, angling at 45 degrees or more is ideal. The tank is not particularly quick which means flanking is generally difficult. Sticking with your team is therefore the best strategy. Generally, medium range engagements are ideal, though it can hold its ground in other scenarios. Its low silhouette can also be used to hide behind obstacles, go hull-down and slip below an enemies' gun depression angle.
 +
 
 +
'''Close Range Engagements:'''
 +
 
 +
The R.35 is capable at close range, although the slow reload can cause issues. The armour if angled correctly may bounce enemy rounds even at point blank range, however the R.35 must disable the enemy tank with the first shot. Most enemies that the R.35 will face have a faster reload, and may be able to outmanoeuvre it, as the R.35 is somewhat slow. This means that getting too close to the enemy is a mistake, always maintain some distance with quick enemies. The tank however does turn surprisingly quick compared to its underwhelming turret traverse, so if you want to have your gun on target quicker in a brawl you can just turn your entire vehicle to line up your gun with the enemy's soft spots.
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
'''Long Range Engagements:'''
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
The R.35 will struggle to deal damage at long range, the cannon having mediocre penetration and reload. However staying at range can also be a good strategy, as enemies may struggle to penetrate the armour of the R.35 as well. The gun doesn't outshine its common adversaries at range, but considering your enemy is very likely to possess armour inferior to the R.35's, you can still beat most vehicles at this rank (except tank destroyers).
 +
 
 +
'''Notable Enemies:'''
 +
 
 +
Some notable enemies include: any German vehicles that use 20 mm autocannons, these include [[Pz.II (Family)|Panzer II]] and [[Flakpanzer I|Flankpanzer]] tanks. Their autocannons will easily destroy the R.35 if the armour is not angled. Additionally, the R.35 struggles to penetrate Panzer II tanks.
 +
 
 +
Additionally, the R.35 will be easily penetrated by enemy vehicles equipped with the American [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm M3]] cannon, the British [[QF 2-pounder (40 mm)|QF 2-pounder]] gun, or the Swedish [[Kan m/38 (37 mm)|37 mm kan m/38]] gun.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Gun with a good penetration power
 +
* Has decent sloped hull armour
 +
* Has a very thick gun mantlet area
 +
* Thick sides allows for heavy angling
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Thin turret ring.
 +
* Limited crew count: 2 members (easy to immobilize with a single shot)
 +
* Extremely low speed, with bad cross-country and hill-climbing ability
 +
* Awful reverse speed of -3 km/h
 +
* Single type of ammunition, with no explosive filler
 +
* Slow reload speed
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
 
 +
The Char Leger 1935 Renault (Renault Light Tank model 1935), armed with the SA 18 short 37 mm gun, was the most common French tank at the onset of the war in Europe, with 900 on active service in infantry tank battalions in May, 1940. However, like its competitor H.35, its gun was known to be unsatisfactory as an anti-tank weapon.
 +
 
 +
Only a few of these R.35s could be converted to the improved SA 38 main gun prior to the fall of France, with the H.35s and H.39s of the cavalry receiving priority. It is known the 1st (Free) Polish Tank Regiment in France near Paris did receive some converted R.35s in May, 1940. These upgunned R.35 tanks are sometimes referred to (erroneously) as the R.39.
 +
 
 +
Concurrently, in 1939, AMX had developed a new type of track and suspension for the R.35, which had continued to be produced. This new variant, also armed with the SA 38, and sometimes designated the R.40, had gone into production in March, 1940. It saw limited service, but it is known the 40th and 48th tank battalions had received 30 each, and the 1st Polish as many as another 25, in time to serve in the invasion and fall of France. Some of these were still around to be seized by French Resistance forces during the fall of Paris in 1944.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Images
 +
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
 +
File:ArtImage R.35 (SA38).png
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fr_renault_r39 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|GCdwnUEASg8|'''Char léger d'accompagnement 1939 R, French, Tier-1, Light Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''}}
  
−
== Read also ==
+
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
+
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
 
 +
* [[H.39]]
 +
* [[H.39 "Cambronne"]]
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wikipedia:Renault_R35|[Wikipedia] Renault R35]]
 +
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/france/Renault_R-35.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Renault R35/40]
 +
 
 +
{{France light tanks}}

Latest revision as of 23:35, 17 July 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
R.35 (SA38)
fr_renault_r39.png
GarageImage R.35 (SA38).jpg
ArtImage2 R.35 (SA38).png
R.35 (SA38)
France flag.png France
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.0 1.0 1.0
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Char léger d'accompagnement 1935 R (SA38) was the most common tank in the French Armed Forces at the start of WWII, with 900 units in active service. The tank was doctrinally intended for infantry support, being fielded in infantry tank battalions, as such, the vehicle had a very poor anti-tank performance. Not all R.35s received the SA 38 gun, instead, H.35s and H.39s had priority in this aspect. A limited version of the R.35 sometimes referred as R.40 saw limited service. A few were used by the French Resistance during the fall of Paris in 1944.

It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance" as the R.39 and was subsequently renamed R.35 (SA38) in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy". The R.35 is in many ways similar to the other light tanks in the lower French tech tree; mobility is exchanged for thicker armour. It also has the other well-known features like a one-man turret and a decent gun with poor post-penetration damage. The reload time is longer than that of most tanks at its rank, but this is usually overcome by its low silhouette and thick side armour. It shares many of its shortcomings with other French tanks of rank I, so players should already be used to the playstyle. It is overall a decent vehicle, with very potent armour and a sluggish top speed.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull43 / 40 / 32
Turret45 / 40 / 40
Crew2 people
Visibility72 %

With good armour thickness and surprising hull angles, this tank can take some beating at a distance, provided you do not get a lucky shot in the turret ring or that you face a heavy-hitting gun. This should get you into effective combat ranges (500- m) in relative safety. The most obvious weak spot is its turret flat left side, which is only 45 mm thick and badly angled, this makes hull-down position ineffective.

With its heavy side armour, one should use angles at its advantages and angle it at about 35° while facing opponents. Such an angling gives about 60 mm of effective thickness for 80% of the exposed area.

In an ambush position, this tank could face its opponents backwards (engine deck first). This unusual tactic could confuse enemies for a moment and provide extra protection as your engine may absorb shots. This will also decrease the chances of a lucky penetration : if turret is facing enemy, almost 90% of exposed surfaces have ~60 + mm of LoS thickness. If danger gets too high, you could give it the gas and "fly" away in forward motion.

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (hull, turret, cupola)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (front glacis, engine vents)
  • Structural steel (mudguards, trench-crossing tail, storage boxes, exhaust cover)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 32 mm (23-61°) Upper plate
32 mm (23°) Driver hatch
25 mm (74°) Front glacis
32 mm (24-26°) Lower plate
32 mm (cylindrical) Lower glacis 		40 mm (4-28°) Top
40 mm Bottom 		40 mm (12°) Top
40 mm (33°) Bottom 		25 mm (16°) Front glacis
25 mm Centre
25 mm (1-6°) Rear
5 mm Engine vents
Turret 45 mm (4-28°) Turret front
45 mm (28-30°) Left side
25 mm (10-11°) + 45 mm (4°) Gun mantlet 		40 mm (0-28°) 40 mm (30°) 25 mm (22°) Front
25 mm Centre and rear
Cupola 40 mm (cylindrical) Base
40 mm (spherical) Dome

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels, bogies and tracks are 15 mm thick.
  • The trench-crossing tail is 5 mm thick and the mudguards are 4 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB23 / 4 km/h
RB and SB20 / 3 km/h
Number of gears4 forward
1 back
Weight11.0 t
Engine power
AB156 hp
RB and SB82 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB14.2 hp/t
RB and SB7.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 23 4 11 89 156 8.09 14.18
Realistic 20 3 73 82 6.64 7.45

The mobility is the R.35 (SA38)'s biggest weakness: while it does not like long-range engagements and needs to close-up with its foes in order to damage them, its very low speed will always leave it far behind its allies. With its narrow tracks and poor power ratio (8.09 HP/ton), the R.35 (SA38) hates being taken out in the mud as its speeds fall drastically. 20 km/h forward and -3 km/h backwards is all you'll get from this struggling 73 HP engine. Plan your moves in advance and do not stay too near to the front line as a successful retreat is hard to achieve with such a slow tank.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB106 → 136 Sl icon.png
RB95 → 122 Sl icon.png
SB111 → 142 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 970 Rp icon.png
890 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 20 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement fr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

37 mm SA38 L/33 cannon
Shoulder stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition58 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-8° / 12°
Main article: SA38 L/33 (37 mm)
37 mm SA38 L/33 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 58 -8°/+12° ±180° Shoulder 14.9 20.7 25.1 27.8 29.6 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 9.3 11.0 13.3 14.8 15.7

The 37 mm SA38 cannon has significantly better penetration and post-penetration damage than its predecessor, but has a longer reload rate than its peers. Know the layout of enemy vehicles well, target their gunners first or immobilize them by shooting at the engine, and make every shot count. Avoid exchanging shots at long distances as your gun's penetration values decrease heavily beyond 500 m. The turret traverse speed is also an issue since you'll not be able to react in time to flanking opponents.

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Mle1938 APC 54 50 36 24 16 11
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Mle1938 APC 705 0.7 - - - 48° 63° 71°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the R.35 (SA38)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
58 45 (+13) 1 (+57) No

Note:

  • As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.

Machine guns

7.5 mm MAC 31 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition1 800 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Fire rate551 shots/min
Main article: MAC 31 (7.5 mm)
7.5 mm MAC 31
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 1,800 (150) 551 N/A N/A

The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

Usage in battles

Gameplay summary:

The R.35 is a decent light tank for its battle rating, so long as it is played with the right tactics. The most important aspect of R.35 gameplay is armour angling. Being that the side armour is actually thicker than the front armour, angling at 45 degrees or more is ideal. The tank is not particularly quick which means flanking is generally difficult. Sticking with your team is therefore the best strategy. Generally, medium range engagements are ideal, though it can hold its ground in other scenarios. Its low silhouette can also be used to hide behind obstacles, go hull-down and slip below an enemies' gun depression angle.

Close Range Engagements:

The R.35 is capable at close range, although the slow reload can cause issues. The armour if angled correctly may bounce enemy rounds even at point blank range, however the R.35 must disable the enemy tank with the first shot. Most enemies that the R.35 will face have a faster reload, and may be able to outmanoeuvre it, as the R.35 is somewhat slow. This means that getting too close to the enemy is a mistake, always maintain some distance with quick enemies. The tank however does turn surprisingly quick compared to its underwhelming turret traverse, so if you want to have your gun on target quicker in a brawl you can just turn your entire vehicle to line up your gun with the enemy's soft spots.

Long Range Engagements:

The R.35 will struggle to deal damage at long range, the cannon having mediocre penetration and reload. However staying at range can also be a good strategy, as enemies may struggle to penetrate the armour of the R.35 as well. The gun doesn't outshine its common adversaries at range, but considering your enemy is very likely to possess armour inferior to the R.35's, you can still beat most vehicles at this rank (except tank destroyers).

Notable Enemies:

Some notable enemies include: any German vehicles that use 20 mm autocannons, these include Panzer II and Flankpanzer tanks. Their autocannons will easily destroy the R.35 if the armour is not angled. Additionally, the R.35 struggles to penetrate Panzer II tanks.

Additionally, the R.35 will be easily penetrated by enemy vehicles equipped with the American 37 mm M3 cannon, the British QF 2-pounder gun, or the Swedish 37 mm kan m/38 gun.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Gun with a good penetration power
  • Has decent sloped hull armour
  • Has a very thick gun mantlet area
  • Thick sides allows for heavy angling

Cons:

  • Thin turret ring.
  • Limited crew count: 2 members (easy to immobilize with a single shot)
  • Extremely low speed, with bad cross-country and hill-climbing ability
  • Awful reverse speed of -3 km/h
  • Single type of ammunition, with no explosive filler
  • Slow reload speed

History

The Char Leger 1935 Renault (Renault Light Tank model 1935), armed with the SA 18 short 37 mm gun, was the most common French tank at the onset of the war in Europe, with 900 on active service in infantry tank battalions in May, 1940. However, like its competitor H.35, its gun was known to be unsatisfactory as an anti-tank weapon.

Only a few of these R.35s could be converted to the improved SA 38 main gun prior to the fall of France, with the H.35s and H.39s of the cavalry receiving priority. It is known the 1st (Free) Polish Tank Regiment in France near Paris did receive some converted R.35s in May, 1940. These upgunned R.35 tanks are sometimes referred to (erroneously) as the R.39.

Concurrently, in 1939, AMX had developed a new type of track and suspension for the R.35, which had continued to be produced. This new variant, also armed with the SA 38, and sometimes designated the R.40, had gone into production in March, 1940. It saw limited service, but it is known the 40th and 48th tank battalions had received 30 each, and the 1st Polish as many as another 25, in time to serve in the invasion and fall of France. Some of these were still around to be seized by French Resistance forces during the fall of Paris in 1944.

Media

Images
  • ArtImage R.35 (SA38).png
Skins
Videos
Char léger d'accompagnement 1939 R, French, Tier-1, Light Tank - Angry Nerd Gaming

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


France light tanks
AMC.34/35  AMC.34 YR · AMC.35 (ACG.1)
H.35/39  H.35 · H.39 · H.39 "Cambronne"
AMX-13  AMX-13 (FL11) · AMX-13-M24 · AMX-13 · AMX-13 (SS.11) · AMX-13-90 · AMX-13 (HOT)
Wheeled  AML-90 · AMX-10RC · Vextra 105
AMD.35  AMD.35 · AMD.35 (SA35)
E.B.R.  E.B.R. (1951) · E.B.R. (1954) · E.B.R. (1963)
Other  FCM.36 · R.35 (SA38) · Char 25t · MARS 15 · VBCI-2 (MCT30)
Austria  SK-105A2
Great Britain  ▄Crusader Mk.II
Netherlands  CV 9035NL
USA  LVT-4/40 · ▄M3A3 Stuart

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