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

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 !

tread

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

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 !

tread

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!  

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

BaBill...;

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

Bob

Lucked in a little and found a pic of the Pz.III Ausf.E that I'll be doing

The b1bis camouflage :

http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=637&Itemid=74

sorry all in french

Hello ,

for a little walk around b1bis go there.

To navigate clik on "page sivante" .

Bob,,,  thanks!  What a great review. I certainly appreciate it.               I have read up on the kit a bit and everything you stated is right on the money. Actually, you offered more than a number of the reviews.

Indeed it looks like a very nice kit,,,,  can't wait to dig into it.     I just have to finish another GB endeavor I am currently involved [in].

Again, thank you Bob for the great insight!

Bill;

The Dragon SdKfz 265 3-in-1 kit.  Good choice, IMO!

The 3-in-1 ref's the fact that you can build "versions" with and without applique armor on the front and glacis and cupola - and you can also do frame antenna or not. So you do get a crack at at least 3 versions - but wait - there's sort of more... you can of course do vehicles with or without the "after-market" add-on brace across the rear, and there are a couple of cupola choices (and a little scratch-work can actually take this kit back to an earlier production - if you want to build the hatches on top sans the cupola.

I'm just right now wrapping up one of these bad puppies - I did the applique armor as seen on one in N. Africa - my wrestle is that some with applique armor show up in the DAK, some in Russia (no, none of this version in France, 1940) - I like the add-on armor look, but also want to have the frame antenna (apparently a fairly rare and earlier feature - maybe more appropriate to France 1940 and without the add-on armor...) - and vehicles in Russia sported a variety of boxes and add-ons behind the top "carapace". And also featured quite a bit of dressing and load. So I have not finalized my paint scheme yet...

Anyway. Kit builds very nicely. I did find that the idlers, while much better than in the previous -265 kit, still need work.  It is pretty easy to shave off some inside the rims of the 2 halves so as to better get that thin look. Likewise, the framing inside the wheels should ideally be thinned down a bit - the kit part is a little chunky. But easy to fix up with the little Exacto...  The MG mount will frustrate you.  (It does not offer positioning).  The road wheels are pretty nice - but those in the Pz. IA and IB SmartKits with the little brass rings to create the realistic flange are much better looking. If you can add these, they do make a nice upgrade. I suggest "Make those vision flaps open"- nice look and nicely detailed bits.  This kit begs for an interior... both the cupola hatch and side-hatch offer a good look inside the shell.

About the tracks...  The links are TINY. But they go together very nicely, and will really look the part. Unless you are pouring cement like some pour syrup on hotcakes, you'll not likely have any "fill problem" - specially if you use very thin cement.  The tracks are the same as on the Flakpanzer IA kit (which I have done OOTB), and they are gems. You won't save any work doing Fruils, and definitely not money - but there are lots of fans of those and they do look nice. For my money and time, the kit tracks worked fine.

Enjoy!  I look forward to seeing your build come up - I've always liked this vehicle and have 3 ... it's one of those things one can do multiple times to capture its relatively wide and long use. I am planning on doing the new initial production kit for another GB.

Cheers!  Bob

I'm still in this , no kit yet . Put me down for ???? Eric .

Thanks Bill. I'll have to pop into your build log and check her out. I should probably assemble them before I glue the fenders on. I'm guessing it will be one of the first things I do.

Sad thing about my little Hotchkiss, is that it has something akin to an interior with and engine, driver's seat etc. But by the time it's built up, there will be no way to see it.

Indeed, quite the assembly Bill

Speaking of tracks, in looking at the magic-like tracks for the Pz I command vehicle....  liquid glue would be touchy at best (IMO)....  looks like it would be very easy to fill some gaps that should not be filled.

If I remember correctly I have a set of friuls for the Pz I.....   will have to check my inventory when I get a chance.

Looks like we've got quite the crowd of vehicles and participants building!

Eric, when it comes time to assemble those Bronco tracks, just be careful around the sprockets. When I built their Marder I using those same tracks a while back, it was a little tough getting them to bend correctly around the sprocket teeth and also clear the hull fenders. Other than that, they were straightforward indy-link type effort.

Bondoman,,  thanks for the confirmation.     The 3-in-1 applies to building with the rail antenna, with add on armor and they also offer an AfrikaKorps version.

Eric,,   are your tracks that tiny?   Yowza!!

Bill, I'll trade you tracks. They have to be bigger then these little Hotchkiss ones.

Definitely correct. See also the Sanitatskraftwagen I. Why is the kit "three in one"?

I'll take your word Bill. Though I see the Russian armored -car in the background picture.

Greetings All

With the Dragon Pz 38(t) being period incorrect I have another kit which may fly....  It is not on the list but it should be period correct.

Dragon 35th Panzerbefehlswagen I    Sd.Kfz.265

From what I have seen / researched, this lil guy should qualify.

What say ye?

Bill

TM - I too think you will do a wonderfull job on your H39, just take your time with those tracks

BILL - Good insight about the STUG.  That is a great link on French armor, thanks for posting!

NATE, SATCH - Have both of those kits in the stash.  Watching your builds will prove very informational.  Glad both of you found something.  Getting that kit for under $30

Know most of all know but Sprue Brothers is great!  Ordered my Somua tracks only 2 days ago and they are already here!  About two hours after ordering them, they had emailed me saying that they were packed and shipped with a tracking number.  Thats excellent, fast service!

Have another track question.  Have to find AM tracks for the Bren Carrier.  Know that Modelkasten makes tracks for this (K-16) but it seems everyone is sold out.  Any suggestions?

william carls

Hi Eric...man those little track links are gonna bust yer balls... but you will have the great feeling of building something not many,but the experienced would tackle. I am sure you will come through with flying colors : )

It sure looks small sitting on the elefant!

tread

Tread, you have too much confidence in me. LOL I wish I was as confident.

Satch, nice score on the Super kit. I must have missed it when I was over there yesterday.

Hi Bill thanks again for the link http://www.chars-francais.net/  ....packed with everthing I will need so far !

tread

Ok let me try this again.  Here is my entry.  Under $30 at Squadron today.

Hi Eric...man those little track links are gonna bust yer balls... but you will have the great feeling of building something not many,but the experienced would tackle. I am sure you will come through with flying colors : )

It sure looks small sitting on the elefant!

tread

Ok, here is my entry.

on sale for $39.96 minus another 25% at Squadron.

Satch