Thanks guys. I'm not done yet as several of you noticed. I have a few minor detail things to deal with such as the sprocket teeth, whip antena, and a little more work needs to be done on the tracks. The original drybrushing of the track links was overpowered by the pigments, but no biggie, I'll just go over them again.

Scott, this is some stunning work! Excellent job on your Char B1 bis. Now you need some acrylic resin, plaster and static grass and have some fun with mud on your next build

Great work Scott.
The paint work and weathering are coming up a treat.
Looking at you reference pics, I'd say you're getting pretty close to the look you're after.
I'm building the same kit at the moment and will definitely be referring to yours when I get round to painting and weathering.

Jurgen.

Thanks guys. I was a bit nervous venturing outside of my comfort zone. I usually build more idealized versions of my tanks, intact, no damage and minimal weathering. I almost stopped before the pigments and was ready to finish it up right then and there, but I really wanted to learn how to use pigments to take my modeling to the next level and I've always been fascinated with the filthy look of the Char B1 bis in wartime photos. I guess it boiled down to either the artistic (again, idealized view of the tank) or the realistic (what it looked like at the time of its final engagement). Tough decision to make, but very enjoyable! I may someday build another one with a more perfect appearance for aesthetic reasons.

I'm home sick again with this stupid cold, so I'm taking a break from the workbench for a day or two. Thanks again for the comments and interest gentlemen, I appreciate it!

Hey Scott,
Hope you're feeling better soon !!
Clean or dirty, your Char B bis is stunning !!!
Keep up the great work !!!
Cheers

jjumbo

Cold? How do you even get a cold in Nevada? Just kidding Scott. Hope you get well soon. Nice job on your Char Bis. Can't wait to see your next project. Well done.

Hiya Scott. So you are Spiff over here huh! I only made the connection from the build. I am only stating to hang here a bit and I saw the Char build and wanted to compare it to yours.. SURPRISE
I was think about your streaking issue... not the kind I did in college. Next time try a fan brush. This one is a #4. Dampen it with thinner and run your finger from one side to the other and it bunches up. Makes like a multi-head brush. i forgot that I used that on... well... you know... those things with wings.

LOL you have to realize I live in Reno. Our house is up at about 5000ft and we're surrounded by mountains. We got an inch of snow at the house just last week!

Thanks for the comments and the interest.

Hi Marc,

I think this was one of the first modeling sites I registered at and used "Spiff" as my call sign because I used that name a lot for my video game characters. I'm EspinS on all the other sites (or an iteration of that).

I really like the tip about the brush! I'm going to have to give that a whirl! I hope you spend some more time over here and make sure you post your armor projects over here buddy, you've got some real talent! Enter them in the Dragon Model of the Month Competition.

Hey Scott. Kit is looking great! Now I know why I havent seen you much on that "other" site.
Hope you get feeling better!

Thanks for the comments and interest gentlemen.

I entered my Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis "Bourrasque" in the 2009 IPMS Reno High Rollers annual model contest. There was some stiff competition this year! I was very pleasantly surprised when it took 1st place!

Well done Scott, the paint job and weathering is amazing.
Know wonder it took first place.
Cheers
Todd

Thank you Todd!

Nice work mate and congratulations.

James

Thank you James!

Dear Scott Espin,
I have nearly finished the "Matchbox" FT17 & char bis French tanks.
I have noted that the char bis not only had many different types of exhaust ports, but that the "curved and flanged" vacuum cleaner attachment type of
nozzle is depicted as pointing in many different directions. Actually, it is
usually depicted as pointing straight up, which doesn't make sense figuring
that rain or snow would drop in. One painting in the old "Tanks of WWII"
by Profile Publications has them pointing sideways, straight inwards.
In a recent Paris Hobby Show one model has them upwards, but partly
angled inwards.
I'd like to know what you know about it.
Sincerely,
Dana Brower
[email protected]

Congrats Scott

Hi Scott
Thank you for showing us such a perfect work. I love it.


Cheers
Blackwater

Well-deserved!

Hi Scott,

Enjoyed the blog, excellent build and congrats on the award.

Al

He posted the award in 2009...

Thank you Gentlemen, I appreciate it!

Dana,

To answer your question regarding the exhausts. It really boils down to the individual tank as the exhausts were installed and re-installed and often times that just happened to be the way they hooked them up. The same can be said for museum examples which can wind up the same way.

I would imagine that the general guidance would be to have them facing downwards to avoid moisture and other contaminants from getting into the exhaust speeding up corrosion and rust.

Sorry for the slow response, my wife and I both lost our jobs this year so things have been a bit "interesting".