The FCM 36 was a light infantry tank produced in France in the late 1930s.

Only 100 were made and they served during the Battle of France with relative success. The 37 that survived were then taken over for German use.

The Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee (FCM) began development of Char léger Modèle 1936 FCM in 1934 in response to a French Army request for a light infantry tank.

The army selected three tanks for production, the Hotchkiss H35, the Renault R35 and the FCM 36.

The Hotchkiss and Renault tanks were cheaper but lacked the advances offered by the FCM 36 including sloping welded armour, diesel engine and welded turret.

There were also hopes that it could become the basis for an even more advanced tank, but this did not eventuate.

Only 100 were produced because of cost and FCM’s Char B1 production commitments.

This model represents a FCM 36 of the 7th Bataillon de Chars de Combat in late 1939.

Wespe Models 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in June 2012.