French Battle Tank B1 bis

The Char B1 was a French heavy tank manufactured before World War II. Specialised as the break-through vehicle, the Char B1 was originally designed as a self-propelled gun with a 75 mm howitzer in its hull. The addition of a 47 mm gun in a turret later to allow it to function also as a Char de Bataille, French for “battle tank”, engaging with enemy German WW2 armour.

Known as one of the most powerfully armed and armoured tanks deployed during the early years of WW2, the Char B1 was very effective and feared in direct head on confrontations with the German armour and anti-tank guns in 1940 during the Battle of France.

Both technologically complex and expensive, the Char B1’s low speed and fuel consumption made it ill-fit with captured units rebuilt as flame throwers, mechanized artillery, or munition carriers by the German WW2 army.

Tamiya French Battle Tank B1 bis features:

• Highly detailed kit.
• Highly detailed lower hull with covered road wheels.
• Slide moulded upper hull with authentically reproduced bolted panels.
• Detailed 75mm hull mounted howitzer.
• Clickable, fully workable track links.
• Highly detailed turret with armour cast texture.
• Two types of fenders and exhausts included.
• Length of metal chain to depict tow cable with hooks.
• 1 commander figure.
• 4 marking options.