Tamiya Char b-1 and Azimut conversion. Model Master paints, Earth Tone pastels, and lots of TLC! Hope you like!




Mark

excellent work!

was the conversion kit worth the price? any hardships?

Wow that conversion is excellant and the paint job looks well cool

Hi Mark,

Wow! Nice conversion - that sure is an unusual subject.

Were these vehicles extensively deployed? How did they fair in comparison to other German SPG's?

Rudi

Hey Rudi,
According to sources, 161 Char B's were captured after France surrendered.
That's not many when you out of the 365+ Char B's that were built.
Only 16 were converted by Rheinmetall-Borsig in 1942 to Geschutzwagen and were issued to Panzerartillerie units serving in France.
60 chassis were apparently converted to Flammpanzers but it doesn't sound like any additional chassis were converted.
The remaining 85 or so were used as gun tanks and driver training vehicles.
Cheers

jjumbo

Hi John,

Thanks for the info, and appreciate the reply.

I knew quite a few (hehe, understatement ) French vehicles were captured and converted, but I'm still curious how the 10.5 cm LeFH 18/3 auf GW B-2(f) faired against "pure" German SPG's... It's nothing more than curiosity and quenching my own thirst for knowledge

Rudi

Hey Rudi,
The Germans converted many other "Beutepanzers" but most were assigned to 2nd line units stationed in France.
I guess it makes sense as any spare parts needed would have to come from cannibalization of other vehicles.
The small number converted probably speaks volumes as to how well thought of these conversions were.
Their top speed was kinda slow at 26 kph and short ranged at 150 kilometers when compared to German SP's.
If they were as successful as the German SP's, I guess more would have been produced.
Cheers

jjumbo

Looking good Mark, nice camo job and weathering. Came out well, thanks for sharing.

Cheers -

Tim