Char B1 bis - the French heavy tank

Char B-1 Bis -the  French World War II heavy tank. The first prototype was created in 1935, serially produced in 1937-1940, 403 combat vehicles of this type were produced. The tank was powered by one 307 h. p. power "Renault" gasoline engine. Its main armament is a 75 mm ABS SA 35 howitzer in the hull and a 47 mm SA 34 cannon in the turret, 2 x 7.5mm "Reibel" machine guns. Theoretical and conceptual work on the Char B-1 Bis began as early, as 1921, but was repeatedly interrupted, so it was not until 1937, that the first serial machines appeared. The concept of the tank was inspired by the experience of the First World War. The emphasis is on very strong armor (up to 60 mm!) and strong weaponry. Much less attention was paid to the tank's maximum speed, maneuverability and range. Other disadvantages are the excessive workload of the crew, especially the commander of the combat vehicle, and frequent tank breakdowns. Despite these shortcomings, in 1940 During the French campaign, the Char B-1 Bis proved to be a very good opponent for the German army, capable of inflicting heavy losses on German tanks, for example during the clash at Stonne in 1940. May 16, when one Char B-1 Bis, named "Eure", destroyed 13 German tanks and, despite taking 140 hits[!!!], withdrew from the battlefield.

A medium sized well designed, richly detailed, colorful, but, also, quite complex tank model for intermediate to advanced modellers. There are no color reserves. Excellent detailing of hull, turret, armament and chassis, combat and engine compartments are not detailed. There are two spare sets of turret parts. Excellent graphic and textual instructions, that perfectly complement each other. The model reproduces a tank with the tactical number 338 and the name "Charenie", that fought in the vicinity of Gien during the French Company as part of the 41 Batallion de Chars de Combat 3 platoon.