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Blitzkrieg in the West (France 1940) Sept. 18 2011 - March 1 2012

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  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: South of france
Posted by Vit13 on Friday, August 26, 2011 9:30 AM

Hello

 

for the books you can find some infos with this serie .

http://www.minitracks.fr/trackstory.htm

http://www.minitracks.fr/focus.htm

 

and unfortunetely only in french text .Chars B in combat  15BCC

http://livres.histoireetcollections.com/publication/1306/chars-b-au-combat-hommes-et-materiels-du-15e-bcc.html

Toast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, August 26, 2011 9:35 AM

Vit13

Hello all

i found this web site . A restoration for a b1 bis

http://www.asphm.com/projets/projet_renault_b1/projet_renault_b1.html

 

I'm looking for camo and books

Toast

 

Wow, great website. Thanks!

Really nice restored vehicles but I love the section on uniforms. I don't have much reference material on French uniforms so this is really helpful. Going to bookmark the site when I get home.

Thanks again!

Cliff

 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Saturday, August 27, 2011 12:50 PM

Hunkering Down for hurricane Irene.... outlook bad ...I am in direct line....   :  (CryingDead

   

 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: South of france
Posted by Vit13 on Saturday, August 27, 2011 2:08 PM

william carls

Hunkering Down for hurricane Irene.... outlook bad ...I am in direct line....   :  (CryingDead

i watched tonight the news ........i hope for all of you in East coast area , you will be Ok .

Toast

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Saturday, August 27, 2011 2:31 PM

Thanks VT13 and thanks for the additional links. I am loving learning the history of the Char B1bis , and am close to picking the vehicle I will model... so far I am liking    'LYON'  and ' BOURRASQUE' . The BOURRASQUE has quite an interesting history..... I am on bottled water duty...have to make 2 deliveries now... 

talk to you guys later

tread Cool

   

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Saturday, August 27, 2011 3:20 PM

william carls

Hunkering Down for hurricane Irene.... outlook bad ...I am in direct line....   :  (CryingDead

I didn't know you were over there. Stay safe Bill. Smile

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Saturday, August 27, 2011 5:21 PM

DARSON - The Vulcan kit does have a lot of parts for the size of it.  The hull only comes in at about 4 inches!  It has 164 plastic parts, 95 etched, 63 rivet heads, 32 metal springs and 8 brass rods.  The tracks are link and length which will be a big advantage because of there size.  Parts look very well molded and clean with fine rivets on the whole vehicle.  Think it will be a very nice kit once you get past the size of it.

Have also received the Eduard detail set for the Somua S35 in the mail, SWEEEET!  Made up of two photoetched sheets.  This is the first kit I've special ordered PE and Friul's for!  Hope to have a good go at her!

Here are a few links thought may be intresting to some.  The Fall of France series has 6 parts and has a lot of intresting history and episode 3 goes into the French armor.

FALL of FRANCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aNKw3dbwoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tQ2MygrrVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0mXJCqbfJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slpbZLd-Fzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3dLdnvv3t8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7OIyjD7rns

B1 Bis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2hRg-F6-XA

FRENCH TANKS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6ouU8sVXU&feature=related

INFO

http://france1940.free.fr/en_index.html

Rob

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Saturday, August 27, 2011 6:46 PM

hi Panzerwaffe : )

looks like ya hit the jackpot with that kit !... when you say '63 rivets' thats cool.. they give 'em to ya....

my Tamiya missed a whole row of rivets on the top of the sponsons. many guys who build this kit use Archer 3D dry transfers for the fix.... I'm not sure yet how I will do it... I would prefer an actual plastic piece

Sounds like your kit is very up to date with the PE ,springs and what not...I will be looking forward to your pics in progress!... thats alot of pieces for a 4 inch hull !

take care man

treadStick out tongue

P.S.  cool links!

   

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 28, 2011 12:27 AM

Thanks for those links Rob. I was watching that and the Race for Bastogne. Kind of neat for animation or CGI. I laughed at the Jagdpanzer that they kept showing as a Jagdtiger. LOL

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Melbourne, Australia
Posted by darson on Sunday, August 28, 2011 5:19 AM

Thanks for the links Rob I'm watching them through now.  Can't wait for this build to start by the way!!

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 28, 2011 1:23 PM

3 weeks to the day. I'd better get my other project finished. Lord knows I'm trying.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Sunday, August 28, 2011 2:47 PM

Tread , your a rivet counter !

Eric , this is a great G.B. already .Yes

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 28, 2011 7:49 PM

Yes Carl, I've learned a fair amount already.

I didn't know that my little H-39 had a good 40mm of armor, which would have made it invincible against the Pz I & II's

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Sunday, August 28, 2011 11:21 PM

Tread and everyone else possibly affected, how did you weather the storm?  Hope all went well for you!

Eric, your little H39 was a fearsome bugger if it wasnt for the poor tactics.

Rob

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Monday, August 29, 2011 1:09 AM

PANZERWAFFE

Tread and everyone else possibly affected, how did you weather the storm?  Hope all went well for you!

Eric, your little H39 was a fearsome bugger if it wasnt for the poor tactics.

I admit that I never was a fan of French tanks, but I failed to realize how good they were in 1940. The Char B and Somua were rather formidable with their heavy armor and decent  cannon. Those small turrets  with the TC doing double duty was really short sighted thinking on the French.

The little H 39 is my favorite of the lot. I think I might go with the two tone of Field Drab and red swatches. 

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, August 29, 2011 5:40 AM

tigerman

 PANZERWAFFE:

Tread and everyone else possibly affected, how did you weather the storm?  Hope all went well for you!

Eric, your little H39 was a fearsome bugger if it wasnt for the poor tactics.

 

I admit that I never was a fan of French tanks, but I failed to realize how good they were in 1940. The Char B and Somua were rather formidable with their heavy armor and decent  cannon. Those small turrets  with the TC doing double duty was really short sighted thinking on the French.

The little H 39 is my favorite of the lot. I think I might go with the two tone of Field Drab and red swatches. 

The French tanks were pretty good when it came to armour and fire power. and when you consider that most German tanks at the time were Pz I's and II's, the Germans were to a large extent out gunned, and if i have my facts right, out numbered. The problem with the French wasn't the tanks so much as how they were used.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: South of france
Posted by Vit13 on Monday, August 29, 2011 7:49 AM

Maybe the problem was the combinaison between the panzer and the stukas .

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Jefferson City, MO
Posted by iraqiwildman on Monday, August 29, 2011 8:48 AM

Just 4 years later, the Allies did the same thing to the Germans. The Shermans was outclassed by the Panthers and Tigers, but the allies strategy was superior to the Germans. It amazing how history repeats itself.

These videos from this Tanks program are very good. I watched all the Battle of France videos and now I see they have a programs on all the other campaigns of the war.  I too am suprised how good the French tanks were. This realy gets lost in the history of the war, since the French got defeated so fast.

Hope all are fine after the hurricane on the east coast.

Tim Wilding

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Monday, August 29, 2011 11:29 AM

iraqiwildman

Just 4 years later, the Allies did the same thing to the Germans. The Shermans was outclassed by the Panthers and Tigers, but the allies strategy was superior to the Germans. It amazing how history repeats itself.

These videos from this Tanks program are very good. I watched all the Battle of France videos and now I see they have a programs on all the other campaigns of the war.  I too am suprised how good the French tanks were. This realy gets lost in the history of the war, since the French got defeated so fast.

Hope all are fine after the hurricane on the east coast.

Yes, the allies did. However they had a huge advantage in air power and the Germans had an equally bad problem with fuel shortages. What might have happened if the Germans had enough fuel in the Bulge?Eventually, Allied airpower would have mopped them up, but the Germans would have gotten closer to Antwerp.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, August 29, 2011 12:32 PM

iraqiwildman

Just 4 years later, the Allies did the same thing to the Germans. The Shermans was outclassed by the Panthers and Tigers, but the allies strategy was superior to the Germans. It amazing how history repeats itself.

I am not so sure the strategy was superior, IMHO, it hans't really changed since 1940. What is different is the weapons. And the Germans were yet again outnumbered in 1944, especially in the air. Of course, the Germans had one thing the Allies didn't. The Russian Front.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by PANZERWAFFE on Monday, August 29, 2011 10:18 PM

Here is a site for all of you building British armor.  Has many color plates for the BEF in France.

http://www.armouredacorn.com/index.html

 

Rob

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 7:22 PM

Hey guys :  )

Storm is over,power restored,flooding is receding so... time to think about the GB again !

Thanks all for caring and responding here and on the armor forum page :)   Irene was the worst non-snow storm I ever experienced since I moved to Ct bout 37 yrs ago when I was 22. It's over!

I have spent my down time researching the Char B1 bis from real life pics and other peoples model pics on every site I can find and sites you guys have pointed me to . Thank you.

Even though the Tamiya model is great OOB, I have found several helps and hints on line to make it even more complete.

Every Char has it's own number, battalion,paint scheme and a name the tank is Christened with, much like a ship.They all have to match for the model to be correct.

 I feel I am ready for this GB to begin!Stick out tongue

Terry and Deaf Panzer, my Char bro's.... Ya ready? Toast..... I have picked Bourresque, a very famous and well documented tank... if OK with you guysYeah.... let me know 'cause I have a backup plan as alwaysSurprise

thanks guys

treadCool

   

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 7:34 PM

Hi guys,,,  haven't checked in for a while              Like a few other east coast residents, I've been hurricane bound...  BUT all is good.

Still on track to build the Pz I command tank.....     Just received a nice little shipment - - a Das Reich 4 figure set from Dragon which was on sale....   how could I pass that up?!

I also couldn't  pass up a sale on the Pz IV C Superkit,,,  holy crap is it nice!

 

The info you have all provided (pertaining to the GB) is awesome!...........  wow, so much good stuff.

This will be fun!

 

Bill

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 10:08 PM

Tread, Bill and others, glad to hear everyone made it out okay. Yes

Tread, do you have a camo pattern picked out for your Char B? 

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 10:25 PM

william carls

Terry and Deaf Panzer, my Char bro's.... Ya ready? Toast..... I have picked Bourresque, a very famous and well documented tank... if OK with you guysYeah.... let me know 'cause I have a backup plan as alwaysSurprise

I figured Bourresque is going to be a popular choice for two reasons... famous and easier camo job! LOL  I am planning to do Bourresque too.  After dealing with crazy camo scheme on my current build Panzer IV I promised myself not to do another crazy scheme for a long time! 

BUT please keep in mind I will not start my build until maybe December or January so why don't you do yours first.  Then I will do mine later...

 

Andy

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 5:44 PM

Hi Eric : )

For the Char, you can't just pick any camo pattern and the put a name and number on it.

There are 10 distinct patterns and 1 solid color to choose from ( some chars from the 28th bccr were solid gray)

When the char was delivered to its' battalion, it was christened with a distinct ,unique name that no other char would have.. and... you have to figure if it was an early model with narrow fenders and turned down type exhaust system or a little later model with wider fenders and the longer straight exhaust....and all details have to match and .. you need decals or dry transfers for your choice.

For me its not really a question of pattern, I want to build something I find aesthetically pleasing to my eye and accurate.  

Last night I thought I had my mind made up with 'BOURRESQUE'.... the decals come with the kit , but after reading Andys post, the 'BOURRESQUE' is one of the most commonly done models so I am doing a re-think, and going over my options and budget for this build.... Hey I could surprise every body and do beaute char( I hope thats the correct word.. I am talking about a German captured one)... they used and converted MANY captured vehicles.

To complicate matters worse, I was talking to Terry last night,and between the 2 of us we can't figure out if we agree on building the same model or not.. LOL... but we have plenty of time .. 2 weeks and a few days till we start building.. for me , that will be where most of my time will be spent.. there is about a zillion rivets to addCrying

I gotta tell ya, I am loving the research part. I think I have spent at least a good part of the evening, every evening on the internet reading and down loading info.

Man , I bet ya didn't expect that long of an answer to 'Have you picked your camo pattern'...LOLTime

how you doing on yours?... tell me every thing !

talk to ya soon,

treadCool

   

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:04 PM

deafpanzer

 

 william carls:

 

Terry and Deaf Panzer, my Char bro's.... Ya ready? Toast..... I have picked Bourresque, a very famous and well documented tank... if OK with you guysYeah.... let me know 'cause I have a backup plan as alwaysSurprise

 

 

I figured Bourresque is going to be a popular choice for two reasons... famous and easier camo job! LOL  I am planning to do Bourresque too.  After dealing with crazy camo scheme on my current build Panzer IV I promised myself not to do another crazy scheme for a long time! 

BUT please keep in mind I will not start my build until maybe December or January so why don't you do yours first.  Then I will do mine later...

 

Hi Andy :  )

If you read my post to Eric, you can see I am re-thinking 'BOURRESQUE'... didn't say I wasn't gonna do it, but I guess I want to explore my options a little...In any case, between you,Terry and me,even if  we we all did the same one, I am sure everyone would see alot of variety on our individual 'take' on the model :  )

In any case, even though you won't be starting until Dec.,I hope we have a nice flow of thought between us!

I need all the help I can get!

Looking forward to sharing in this build you,

treadCool

   

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:34 PM

If you want more Char options, Echelon has a great set available with markings for 8 different vehicles included from the 37eme BCC.

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/echelon/ech_alt352004.htm 

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 7:59 PM

my man ! just what the doctor ordered ! thanks Bill Big Smile....

and I also found these 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-35-Decals-Decalcomaniacs-Char-B1s-3rd-DCR-/380174753663?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58842e5f7f#ht_500wt   

Thanks again Bill for the Help !

treadCool

   

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:01 PM

(thanks Eric)

Enjoy the ride!

 

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