I had the privilege of photographing a completed 35th scale Tamiya Char B1-bis recently. The completed model looks fantastic, the tracks on this Char B1-bis where not glued on and therefore explains the visible horizontal and vertical sag. I'm not quite sure why there are three holes on the bottom of the hull, possibly an R/C version to come out soon?!?

Completed sample compliments of Tamiya Canada. Enjoy the photos, if you need any other photo angle let me know.

Frank

Thanks for posting the photos Frank.

I'm not much into Char's - but - this looks like a kit that'll assemble and finish well. I've got a pre-order in for one now. Might be fun!

Gunnie

Man, I have got to geto ne of these - I don't even care for French vehicles either! Great info - thanks

Awesome pictures - makes me even more glad that I went ahead and ordered one.

Frank, Great Stuff! How many images can you get me for a News Feature? ..Jim

Did someone said RC version? 1/16? :-) I'll just keep dreaming!

This little kit looks awesome! Another kit on my wish list. Where to start?

Martin

Hi Jim,

I've sent you a PM, just need your e-mail....

Frank

Wwooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! I have dreamt of one of these for 15 years, since playing Squad Leader's Cressendo of Doom and reading Len Deighton's Blitzkrieg: From the Rise of Hitler to the Fall of Dunkirk.

Me want! Me want NOW!

i like the looks of this tank,no offence to the builder ,but find this kit a bit of a strange build.there is a round mark on the back[missing part] or what ,if so it should be sanded off.there are seamlines on the exhaust.sinkholes on the side armor plates.a lumpy bump on the lower gun mantlet.seamlines on the side of the turret and so on??thats what strikes me with this build.if i am way off just tell me so Frank.

greetings jeroen,.

He frank thanx for the pics, it looks good.
043

Hi Jeroen,

I have no idea who the builder is. The model I think came directly from Japan. If you take a close look at it, you will notice that the hull has a wash on it and the turret does not, I get the feeling this was completed in great haste!... I'm just greatful to be able to toss away that horrid resin block resembling a Char B1-bis, in my collection.

Frank

Ok Frank thats clear not a moment in my mind that this was one from your hands :-) :-) your models are way better.i think the builder was in great haste to,you are right about the wash
but as a kit i like this model.hope to see one from you soon

greetz jeroen,.

It looks like a toy to me. I'm sure the kit is acurate and I'm glad to see Tamiya putting out some totally non-mainstream 35th armor kits. I just don't care for French tanks (other than the AMX-30). The color scheme looks German and the track coloring enhances the toy look. The greatest thing this kit does is to quiet up the "Peanut Gallery"

That's pretty harsh Steve :-) , I agree on the toyish look to this one, but like I stated above, the builder of this one, more than likely had some time restrictions in place. Hold your judgement until you see what a properly weathered Char B1 looks like. As far as WW2 French tanks are concerned, I think the're all fantastic, I hope that this release sells well and we end up getting additional offerings from either Tamiya or Dragon or Trumpeter. I would love to see a D2 in 35th.

Frank

The kit looks great - Although I wonder why the Char - it beats another german tank - it would look good next to the new 1/35 stug B.

Strange thing - at TamiyaCon no mention of the Char at all.

This is definitely a teaser model, painted as fast as humanly possible to whet interest with as soon as the finished sprues are out. Even as it is now, it's an attractive kit.

Personally, I want to buy two, one to assemble as-is and one to convert into some monstrosity suitable for my Warhammer 40k needs.

I love the idea of this tank, probably as much, or more, as the excecution of it. It's odd, it's early war, it's not German, British, or American, and it's something that I don't believe has ever been done before in this scale, in plastic. Tamiya may very well have come up with a way to keep their 1/35 line fresh and popular. Since Tamiya has never released all that many kits in a year it seems to me they want to get as much bang for the buck as they can. If they can release just one kit, then make it one odd, never done before, and something that can fill a niche other makers aren't filling.

I think the most interesting thing about this tank is the tracks. I don't think I've ever seen tracks that look quite like that. I really am looking forward to finding out just how Tamiya is going to do those.

One of my favourite french tanks and also probably my fav top 10 tanks.

and probably tamiya heard some of our cries of too much german kits?

any idea went will the box art be out?
and when will it be in the markeT?

Quote-" think the most interesting thing about this tank is the tracks. I don't think I've ever seen tracks that look quite like that. I really am looking forward to finding out just how Tamiya is going to do those-"

Rodger,the promo says they are workable click together format .Really interested in how well the tanker figure is done.Mr. T is not the greatest when it comes to people in this scale.
cheers!

I think this is a shrewd move on Tamiya's part. DML has the lead on German stuff, every Panzer IV version, tigers, Starting on the Shermans, every version of 250/251 Half Tracks, etc......

Tamiya went for a wishlist item, its big, unique and was not on the radar screens of the other manufacturers. this should draw interest from armor modelers across the board. Also you gotta love those wild french cammo patterns. This can also look good in German Gray. Lots of possibilities

The rushed paint job does make it look toylike but notice the fine details on the clsoeups ad the rivets. This will look great with a proper paint and finish.

A big beast like this screams for interior from the AM guys.

I can picture the Dioramas now......Panzer IVs rolling past abandoned/knocked out Chars, and Matildas.

I like it. The rivet detail really is nice and it is something new. Obviously not a finished model, no decals, tow cable, etc.

Shaun

You and me both!

Are there any French soldiers available from anyone yet or will it have to be German troops inspeting a captured Char??

Absolutely, it's a big, evil machine, and a GG paintjob automatically makes tanks look very sinister. I've yet to find a reference pic for a captured Char B1, though

DesKit has released several 1939/40 French soldiers, including tankers like Colonel De Gaulle in a 1940 tanker outfit...
DesKit French soldiers
SpecialEast has released 3 1940 French tankers :
SpecialEast tankers

HTH
Frenchy