French - Char 1 Bis

The French Char B1 bis was one of the most formidable heavy tanks of the early stages of World War II, known for its thick armor and strong firepower. An upgraded version of the original Char B1, the B1 bis featured up to 60mm of armor, making it nearly impervious to most German anti-tank weapons during the Battle of France in 1940. It was uniquely armed with both a 75mm hull-mounted howitzer for infantry support and a 47mm turret-mounted gun for anti-tank engagements, giving it dual offensive capabilities. However, its design had several drawbacks, including a cramped interior, a one-man turret that overburdened the commander, and limited range and speed. Despite these flaws, the Char B1 bis proved tactically effective in several engagements, often outperforming German tanks in one-on-one combat. However, it was ultimately let down by poor strategic coordination, outdated doctrine, and lack of air support. Many captured units were later used by the Germans under the name Panzerkampfwagen B-2 740(f). The Char B1 bis remains a symbol of France’s advanced but underutilized armored technology in the early war years.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.