Subject:  
Char B1 bis
Kit Used: Tamiya 1/35

Review & model by:
Paul Romans
Pictures: R. Forys






Specifications:
Armament:   One 75mm ABS-SA-35 Howitzer,
   One 47mm SA-34 cannon in turret,
   and Two 7.5mm Reibel guns machine guns
Crew:   Four- Commander, Driver, Main Gunner
   and Radio Operator.
 Weight:   31.5 metric tons
Engine:  Gasoline, 307hp
Road Speed:   25 kph
Cruising Range:  93 miles (max)
Entered Service:  1937



[The design of this French tank was based on the experience of trench warfare in WWI. ]



History:   The Char de Bataille (Tank of Battle) was based on the French experience of trench warfare in WWI, and the military tactics they embraced in the 1920's.   They felt that punching holes in the enemy's front lines and dislodging them from key positions would decide any battle.   Thus, a heavy piece of mobile artillery was the best usage of any armored tank, with mobility and defensive armament of only secondary importance.




[The French Main Heavy Battle Tank was long and thin to help it cross trenches.]



The French "Main Heavy Battle Tank" was long and thin to help it cross trenches, and had its primary weapon mounted in front to blast through fortifications, rather than in a rotating turret.   Indeed, original designs had no turret at all, and this was only added when the lack of defensive armament became an obvious problem.   In 1926 the B1 was a modern design, but by the time the first units were actually built in 1934, tank design had evolved beyond anything that the B1 could match.   It could still boast heavy 40mm front armor, a massive (for the time) 75mm main howitzer, and a 47mm cannon in the upper turret.   It was well armed, but slow and inflexible, with short range and an overworked crew.   The commander sat in his small, crowded turret directing the tank's actions, as well as loading, aiming and firing the cannon by himself.




[The B1 bis boasted 60mm thick frontal armor, and a longer barreled 47mm gun.] [The B1 bis was a slightly modified version introduced in 1937.]



The B1 bis was a slightly modified version introduced in 1937, and was the primary production variant.   It boasted 60mm thick frontal armor, and a longer barreled 47mm gun to improve its anti-tank ability.   This was the tank that fought Panzers in May of 1940, where it generally did well.   In one well documented battle at Stonne, a single B1 bis fought and destroyed thirteen PzKw-III and IV's within a few minutes, while surviving no less that 140 enemy hits, all on its frontal armor.   Where the B1 failed is in the tactical arena, where its slow speed, lack of infantry and artillery support, and the inflexibility of its design all combined to limit its effectiveness as a modern weapon.




[Despite their legacy of fine art, etc., the French have managed to build some of the ugliest machines ever created.]



The French have always done things differently; not wrong, just not quite like everyone else.   Despite their legacy of fine art, architecture, food, wine, women, etc., they have managed to build some of the ugliest machines ever created.




[This is another shake-and-bake Tamiya armor kit.]



The Kit:  Well, this should be short and sweet.   It's another shake-and-bake Tamiya armor kit, so what's to say?   Everything fits, it's all accurate, and it goes together almost too easily.   One nice feature is the individual link tracks supplied with the kit.   These snap together quite nicely, hinge just like the real ones, and come in a bag already separated; no sprues, no cutting, no flash, no problems of any kind.   I poured them into the box top and snapped them together like Legos while watching TV one night.   It took about 45 minutes.   These are just too good to be true.   I checked the fine print on the box for any clauses on Satan claiming my soul but there was nothing there, so I went ahead.




[I estimate it took only 2 or 3 hours of work to finish assembly.] [The kit supplies a French tanker,and I couldn't resist adding him to the rear turret perch.]



The main body is one big piece for the top and sides, with most of the detail molded right in.   The multiple bogie wheels along the bottom are somewhat tedious, but not difficult.   With the bottom, front detail and the rear plate all glued on, the model took shape rapidly.   I estimate it took only 2 or 3 hours of work to finish assembly.   The only seam to worry about is the one on the turret, and this will sand down fine once the glue is dry.   Tamiya provides optional fenders, markings and exhausts for 4 different tanks, so follow the directions for the one you want to build.   Everything fell together as well or better than any other model I've ever built.




[I liked the snazzy 4-color squiggle pattern they showed, so I went with that.]



Painting:  Tamiya gives us a centerfold-like full-color spread for the camouflage on the 4 different tanks.   I liked the snazzy 4-color squiggle pattern they showed, so I went with that.   It isn't every day you get to paint a tank tan, green, red, and black.   Using Model-Master enamels, I sprayed the entire tank light tan, and when dry I masked off all the areas that were to remain this color.   Next was the O.D. Green, and again, when dry this was masked.   The pattern was getting complicated by now, but the end was in sight.   Next was the Hull-Red, and once this was sprayed, I carefully pulled away all the masking to reveal the weird 3-color design.




[It isn't every day you get to paint a tank tan, green, red, and black.]



The last step was the thin black outline on all the different color blotches.   Tamiya recommended a very dark gray for this, so I used Floquil Grimy-Black acrylic and a thin brush.   The acrylic allowed me to wipe off mistakes with a damp Q-tip without damaging the complicated enamel pattern, and the outlines actually took less time to paint than any other color.   Some clear gloss was painted in the few spots that got decals, these were applied and clear flat was sprayed over all to even out the finish.




[The tracks were painted Model-Master Metalizer Steel, and then given washes of acrylic black, then acrylic rust.] [Several washes of grimy black brought out the surface detail.]




Weathering:  These tanks saw service for only about 4 weeks in May of 1940 before France capitulated, so I kept weathering fairly light.   The tracks were painted Model-Master Metalizer Steel, and then given washes of acrylic black, then acrylic rust.   A little dry- brushing with some silver brought up the high spots on the tracks.




[I avoided any extra equipment except a thin wire for the radio antenna.] [Pastels were used to add more soot and dirt, and a little dry-brushing finished things up.]



Several washes of grimy black brought out the surface detail, and the large slab sides were streaked with washes of dirt and mud.   Pastels were used to add more soot and dirt, and a little dry-brushing finished things up.   The kit supplies a French tanker, and while I don't do figures well (that's Ian's department), who could resist adding him to the rear turret perch.   I avoided any extra equipment except a thin wire for the radio antenna.   The kit is box-stock otherwise.




[As we all expect, it's an excellent kit, goes together great, it's accurate, etc., etc.]



Conclusion:  Another triumph from Tamiya (yawn).   As we all expect, it's an excellent kit, goes together great, it's accurate, etc., etc.   I enjoyed it, but it was almost an easy weekender project!   It looks cool sitting next to my PzKw-III on the self.




[Using Model-Master enamels, I sprayed the entire tank light tan, and then masked off all the areas that were to remain this color.]