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

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  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by panzerbob01 on Saturday, August 20, 2011 4:20 PM

BaBill...;

When I picked my first of 3 of these 3-in-1 kits - I plain got Geeked  on it!

Here's other easy tweaks, if you wish!

I discovered when Googling around that the 1B type suspension 2-wheel bogies have a visible cut-in "pocket" on the outside end of each casting which has a biggish washer and bolt nestled in it. (I apologize for the verbiage as I try to "paint the pic" in words!  I'd post a pic here, but don't yet know how to...). You will quickly see these very visible details are lacking from your kit...

Now, strangely enough, while the Dragon has gone to great lengths to make so many improvements to their kits to reflect the real thing, this very cool (to me) 1B detail is still not fixed - right up to the most recent Panzerjager 1B early and Kl. PzBefWgn 1B initial kits!

It's easy to fix up - and, because the pocket is only really visible on the outside casting of each pair, you don't really have to do the inner piece - it hides behind the wheel:  just carve in a little pocket on the upper end of the "casting", and set in a little bolt-head (I use a small bit of stretched sprue for this).  IF you really want "the look" (really OCD or AMS), you cut out a wide "V" notch, and then use some 0.01 styrene sheet to build back the walls of the pocket more to scale - and you can add in a "washer and a nicer hex bolt-head. 

The exhaust system benefits from having the "biz end" of the pipe opened up, and more so if you add on a small "flange" or "bead" around the end of the muffler "can" at the output side- the can was sheet metal and had a nicely-visible seam or flange.  FYI: this same fix does great service on various other vehicles (Pz.IA, Hotchkiss and Renault tanks, etc.), with visible exhaust can ends.  I glue a small strip of 0.005 styrene sheet around the muffler end to create the flange.

Another cool (IMO) little fix for Pz 1B types is to add in small weld-beads around those boxy bits and joins on the rear plates beneath the tow-pintle- I cement finely - stretched sprue into likely weld-lines and then finely ding or score it with an x-acto tip...

Enjoy!  I keep "talking" about this little beast, I'll have to build another one just for this GB!

BobWink

 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Saturday, August 20, 2011 5:21 PM

Hi, guys, I got my Char on thursday, as I already told Tread €54.99 locally. Well Like tread I'm off to look for reference.

Terry.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Saturday, August 20, 2011 7:12 PM

Terry my bro'  ... I am sure you will agree with me ,,, the hard part is matching the correct camo to the correct brigade or battalion, with the correct markings, fender width and exhaust set up..... maybe we can do 2 from the same unit?.... I still need your exact Voyager link.... their site navigation sucks.... but I may still use the Lionmarc barrels .., I really like them.. high quality... reasonable price.

talk to ya soon

tread Cool

PS  http://www.ebay.com/itm/LionMarc-1-35-75mm-Metal-Barrel-Char-B1-Bis-LM10009-/250373628420#vi-desc  just bought it  :  )

 

   

 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:43 PM

Hi , Bill, I got the lionmarc barrels.

Voyager narrow

http://www.hlj.com/product/VYMPE35105

voyager wide

http://www.hlj.com/product/VYMPE35104

heres the schemes from the kit

I think we should wait t'ill you get the kit in your ands before we move further.

Terry.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:00 PM

O.K. Terry...mine should be in hand easily by midweek...Did you see the camo schemes I sent you on FB?.... quite detailed


   

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:03 PM

Those camo schemes look fun. I still need to do more homework on my little project. I intend to build my tracks early to make sure all goes well, and if it doesn't, I can always fall back on my 232.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Sunday, August 21, 2011 4:20 AM

I agree,,  those camo schemes DO look like fun,,  very interesting.

 

Bob,,, Thanks for the info on the kit. Super informative,,  for sure.    I've copied and will duly note when I get to those areas of the build. I certainly appreciate the heads-up.

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, August 21, 2011 10:46 AM

Tread/Terry,

I can't recall off the top of my head when the vehicle "number" cut-off was for certain features on the Char B1 but it was somewhere around the 300s. That's the key to determining whether or not it should have the different styles of fenders, the style of exhausts, etc as the vehicle number signifies when it was produced and the features it would sport as a result.

The Char Francais site has a page, http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=524&Itemid=66 showing every Char (named and un-named) that was produced and its matching vehicle number. HTH! Beer  

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Sunday, August 21, 2011 10:49 AM

All the French tanks seem to have interesting camo... I used to think that Germany had all the cool camo... but who knew ! ?.....well now I do !

treadWink

   

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 21, 2011 1:18 PM

william carls

All the French tanks seem to have interesting camo... I used to think that Germany had all the cool camo... but who knew ! ?.....well now I do !

treadWink

Exactly. It's all part of the learning process.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, August 21, 2011 4:18 PM
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 21, 2011 4:47 PM

That is a pretty impressive camo Bill. Too bad it's not in color.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Spring Branch, TX
Posted by satch_ip on Sunday, August 21, 2011 4:57 PM

Char, sponsored by Real Tree!

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:21 PM

tread@wbill....bill, Char-francais is the most comprehensive site I could imagine!  ... A lot of reading but easily worth its weight in gold.... you may know, when they mention a number like tank '319 37 BCC'  what does the 'BCC' stand for? .... Brigade?..

I love your choice for favorite camo !.... early stealth ... if you are in the woods !...... I have mine picked out already... don't tell Terry.....Wink

treadCool

 

   

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:30 PM

tread@Eric... hi Eric... that camo job of the tree was exactly as you might imagine... green background with painted tree limbs, but get this ... it was textured with flocking.... even the machine gun

pretty cool huh?

treadCool

   

 

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Right Side of a Left State
Posted by Shellback on Sunday, August 21, 2011 7:49 PM

Now that's some camo Bill !

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Bedford, Indiana
Posted by AceHawkDriver on Sunday, August 21, 2011 9:59 PM

Eric:  I think I have a Tamiya Sdkfz 251/1 in the stash somewhere.  I admit I couln't find the A-B variants, at least listed that way, in my references.  As I'm not as knowledgable in the Blitzkrieg equipment I'll leave it up to you to let me know if it's good or not.  Hopefully it will be, if so, I might just chime in here on this GB as well if that works for you!

Peace through superior firepower.

Brian

        

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 21, 2011 10:32 PM

Well Brian, wikipedia says production was mid-40, but I can't recall any myself in photos, but I could be wrong. I'll see if anyone else has any better information.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, August 22, 2011 7:44 AM

Eric: Looking though some MiniArt buildings I bought for an earlier project this weekend. These came with a bonus set of Dragon figures and one was a Pak 35/36 AT gun! So you can go ahead and put me down for it as well as the Char b.

Guys thanks for everyone who posted links to French armour sites, great stuff!

Cliff

 

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

 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: South of france
Posted by Vit13 on Monday, August 22, 2011 8:12 AM

william carls

tread@wbill....bill, Char-francais is the most comprehensive site I could imagine!  ... A lot of reading but easily worth its weight in gold.... you may know, when they mention a number like tank '319 37 BCC'  what does the 'BCC' stand for? .... Brigade?..

I love your choice for favorite camo !.... early stealth ... if you are in the woods !...... I have mine picked out already... don't tell Terry.....Wink

treadCool

 

Hello william

BCC = Bataillon de Char de Combat

http://cavaliers.blindes.free.fr/rgtdissous/bcc/bcc.html

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Monday, August 22, 2011 12:16 PM

Thanks Cliff.

Vit13 thanks for posting. It's a pleasure having a real Frenchman helping us out.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Monday, August 22, 2011 12:18 PM

william carls

tread@Eric... hi Eric... that camo job of the tree was exactly as you might imagine... green background with painted tree limbs, but get this ... it was textured with flocking.... even the machine gun

pretty cool huh?

treadCool

Yes. Now do it. Whistling

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: South of france
Posted by Vit13 on Monday, August 22, 2011 12:24 PM

Thanks so much tigerman.

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Jefferson City, MO
Posted by iraqiwildman on Monday, August 22, 2011 1:05 PM

I purchased the Tamiya Panzer II Ausf. A/B/C this weekend on the clearance rack at Hobby Lobby, so I might have to just into this GB.

I am trying to find a photo of the camo some panzer units used in France, kind of like the camo they used in Poland a year earlier, the brown over gray.

Tim Wilding

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Monday, August 22, 2011 2:13 PM

Tim,

The camo scheme used is pretty consistent...2/3 panzer gray and 1/3 dark brown. The dark brown was applied in large chunks to achieve a disruptive pattern. The pattern was exactly the same as that used in Poland, so photos from that campaign are equally instructive. It's tough to pick out the scheme in photos, espcially black/white, because the color contrast is so close between the two colors. This might help though...

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Monday, August 22, 2011 3:05 PM

Let me know if you're in Tim. would love to have you.

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

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Jefferson City, MO
Posted by iraqiwildman on Monday, August 22, 2011 3:29 PM

Sure, I'm in.

Thanks Bill for the photos. Last night,  I looked at your build of the Tamiya Polish Campaign Panzer II and that is what got me interested in the camo.

Tim Wilding

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Monday, August 22, 2011 3:55 PM

wBill,,  that scheme would hold true for the Pz I command vehicle too, correct?

 

Bill

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Ottawa,Ontario,Canada
Posted by modeler#1 on Monday, August 22, 2011 4:16 PM

Tigerman i'd love to join your build. I won't be able to join right away but will eventualy around next january. I'm thinking of doing Tamiya's 1:48 Panzer II A/B/C. since I don't have the box here's the link:

 

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=32570

Ryan

On the Bench: Nothing atm

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: beacon falls , Ct.
Posted by treadwell on Monday, August 22, 2011 5:13 PM

 tread @ Vit13

Hi Vit13 thanks man for answering my 'BCC' question, I really appreciate it and especially for thanks for that link http://cavaliers.blindes.free.fr/rgtdissous/bcc/bcc.html   I am learning so much already!

you can just call me 'tread' .. that's my 'on line' tag or you you can call me bill... william is so formal !

Thank you again for the link and the the helpCool

tread....   Je suis desole, mais je ne parle pas en francais.Crying ... good thing Google does!

   

 

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