- Yes
- Maybe
- No
History.
The Chenillette Renault UE is a light tracked armoured vehicle of French origin. Contrary to the fashion of the time, the French army decided to use light tracked armoured vehicles as non-combat vehicles in the late 1920s.
In 1930, the French army made an official request to French companies and soon after there was a response from Renault, Citroën and Latil. The Renault vehicle, named ‘tracteur armoured de ravitaillement d’infanterie type UE’, won the competition and a first tranche of 60 vehicles was requested in late 1931. Over time, the demand for these small vehicles increased to follow the French infantry mechanisation doctrine, and by 1940, almost 5,000 vehicles had already been built, with most of those captured after the fall of France in June 1940. Most of those vehicles, after due testing and modifications, were re-used as fighter or transport vehicles for a quite long period of time.
At least one example was retrofitted with the ability to carry a German anti-aircraft light machine gun rig on the back, and it is possible that this example is one of those in use by Luftwaffe ground units to protect airfields from enemy air raids. It is not known what happened to the vehicle, nor is it known where it was photographed or the year and context.
Armaments and propulsion.
The vehicle was equipped with a Zwillingssockel 36, fitted with two 7.92 mm calibre MG 34 machine guns and rotatable 360 degrees laterally and with an elevation of -10/+90. The weapons are fed by magazines usually holding 75 rounds, but it is not known whether other magazines were stowed in the vehicle.
As an engine, the vehicle was powered by a 38 hp Renault 85 petrol engine, which could propel the vehicle up to a top speed of around 30 km/h.
Specifications.
Spoiler
Crew: 2-6
Length: 2,8 m
Width: 1,74 m
Height: 2.5 m (weapon at maximum elevation)
Maximum weight: 2.7 tons
Engine: 1x Renault 85 petrol engine (38 hp)
Maximum speed: 30 km/h
Armament: 1x Zwillingssockel 36 (2x MG 34)
Gun elevation: -10°/+90°
Armour: 0-9 mm
Pictures and drawnings.
Sources.
Spoiler
“L’Automobile sous l’Uniforme 1939-1940” by François Vauvillier, Jean-Michel Touraine
“Waffen-Arsenal Band 153 - Deutsche Infanteriekarren, Heeresfeldwagen und Heeresschlitten 1900-1945” by Wolfgang Fleischer
“Captured Weapons, Equipment of the German Wehrmacht 1938-1945” by Wolfgang Fleischer
Schulfahrzeug 1-5b. Serie/La.S. mit MG 34/42 Zwillingssockel 36 - Tank Encyclopedia
MG 34 - Wikipedia
M.G. 34: German Infantry Weapons, WWII Military Intelligence Service, Special Series No. 14, May 25, 1943 (LoneSentry.com)
Renault UE Chenillette - Wikipedia
Renault UE Chenillette Paris Sinsheim :Maquetland.com:: Le monde de la maquette
Das Deutsche Maschinengewehr MG-34 | PDF
“Les Einheitswagen” by Par Pierre Petit
Supporti surrogati per mitragliatrice antiaerea da 7,92 mm delle forze armate tedesche durante la seconda guerra mondiale
https://ww2.ru/shop/germaniya/militariya-germanii/optika-pribory-chasy/30814-ustanovka-dlya-odnovremennoy-strelby-iz-dvukh-pulemetov-mg-34-zwillingssockel-36-germaniya.html
Renault UE supply tankette (1932)
Its among strangers. Quality French croissant
“French Tanks of World War II (1): Infantry and Battle Tanks”
Renault UE 2 mit MG 34 Zwillingssockel 36 : Germany (DEU)
Schulfahrzeug 1-5b. Serie/La.S. mit MG 34/42 Zwillingssockel 36 - Tank Encyclopedia