Tamiya 1:35 Char B1 Bis

The kit proposed by Tamiya company includes a plastic model kit of French heavy tank in 1:35 scale.

The French doctrine of the armored war during the interwar period established two basic types of tanks - cavalry tanks and infantry tanks. The first of them had to operate in motorized and cavalry divisions as quick units, the second, specialized in breaking through the fortified positions of the enemy forces. Char B1 belongs to the latter group. The concept of the tank reached the early twenties when the Great Wars experience showed that slow, well armored and armed tanks were the primary breakaway unit. The vehicle reached a speed of only 20 km / h, mainly due to armor reaching 60 mm and armament in two guns. The 75 mm gun was mounted in the hull, which main task was to eliminate the points of resistance, while in the tower was mounted a 45 mm anti-tank gun. The crew of the vehicle was only 4 people, and the commander himself was responsible for armament and control of the vehicle. Under combat conditions, it turned out to be almost impossible. To make matters worse, the tank proved to be susceptible to failures, particularly drive and suspension problems. Due to these defects, some of the machines fell into German hands practically undamaged. However, this does not mean that B1 did not work in combat. With good use of terrain and element of surprise, this tank was able to compete with German vehicles. In the face of the Wehrmachts mobile war, Char B1 was not able to handle his task; he was too slow to react to the opponents dynamic moves.

The Tamiya kit allows you to build the French model of the heavy tank B1 BIS with the commander. In the box there is a hull element, 5 frames with model parts, track links, chains, and decals (allow reconstructions of tanks from 1st, 2nd, or 4th Panzer Division).

Plastic parts should be cut out of frames, fit together and glued according to the assembly instruction. You should paint the whole model using modeling paints according to the proposed paint scheme in the instruction. It is important to remember that some plastic parts require painting before gluing. In the end, it is needed to apply decals according to markings or graphics in instruction.

Paints proposed by the manufacturer for the best effect:

Vehicle:

• Tamiya XF-59 + XF-60 (armor, 2: 1 ratio)
• Tamiya XF-58 (camouflage color, green)
• Tamiya XF-9 (camouflage color, brown)
• Tamiya XF-69 (camouflage division lines)
• Tamiya XF-2 (markings, tank interior)
• Tamiya XF-8 (markings)
• Tamiya XF-64 (wooden sapper gear)
• Tamiya XF-56 (metal sapper gear)
• Tamiya XF-56 + XF-64 (caterpillars, 1: 1 proportions)
• Tamiya X-10 (MG)

Commander:

• Tamiya X-9 + Tamiya XF-10 (uniform, 1: 1 ratio)
• Tamiya XF-55 + Tamiya XF-57 (trousers, 1: 1 proportions)
• Tamiya XF-64 (belt, holster)
• Tamiya XF-57 (wrappers)
• Tamiya XF-58 (helmet)
• Tamiya XF-15 (skin)

Set contains:

• The assembly instruction.
• Frames with plastic parts.
• Decals.
• Track link set.
• Crew member.

Kit does NOT contain paints and glue.

Here are the basic tools and materials you need:

• Pilers for cutting plastic parts.
• Modeling penknife.
• File or sandpaper.
• Cement for plastic models.
• Brush or airbrush.
• Modeling paints.

If you are not sure of any accessories or colors of paints you need for your model kit, please ask us, we will be glad to help you.