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

This will be my build: Bronco's Hotchkiss 39

As you can see, this little guy is about the size of the casement on an Elefant. Man those tracks are tiny.

Nachtflieger

 

tigerman:

 

Not sure what happened with the other image, so who's going to build this Mojo?

 

 

 

Eric,

I've got that kit in the stash. I was trying to decide what I wanted to build for this GB. I had forgotten about this one! It was down to either the CMK Pz. 35T, or the Bronco Hotchkiss. I'll go ahead and build this one, so sign me up for this one!

Nate

Right on Nate! Someone had to build that bad boy.

Thanks again Bill.

Eric,

Poke around on the Char-Francais site, they have pages for each of the different vehicles here: http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1272&Itemid=102 , I'm sure you'll be able to find a good example for what you're looking for. Tons of photos to sift through but they have a neat "slide show viewer" type if you click on the first pic at the bottoms of those pages that will auto open and allow you to navigate through. HTH!

wbill76

Bob/Rob,

The differences between a StuG A and B are more than the track width and suspension design. The A had a different roof hatch arrangement for the gunner's periscope/sights as well as slightly different fender storage arrangements for tools and the lack of a rear Notek convoy light vs the features on a B. Other than that, they were essentially the same.

Thanks Bill.  I had done a quick internet search and noted that there were a few differences.....enough to make me drop the StuG off of the 'potential build' list. 

Still reviewing my options-hope to be able to make a decision by the weekend.

tigerman

Not sure what happened with the other image, so who's going to build this Mojo?

Eric,

I've got that kit in the stash. I was trying to decide what I wanted to build for this GB. I had forgotten about this one! It was down to either the CMK Pz. 35T, or the Bronco Hotchkiss. I'll go ahead and build this one, so sign me up for this one!

Nate

Ours are very close, yes. He does have an option to build the shorter-barrel H 38.

I too love that tri-color camo and would love to try it, if I could find a good reference shot. Yah monotone sounds cool.

Bill : )  thanks for that link man !.... I also found your Char build log on Armorama ... super nice work as always!

HI Eric : )  ..you and Manny doing same build right?.... tri color camo on that tank would scare the crap out of me! .. I have read many were mono chromatic or dual color....thats how I would go

beddy bye time for me... work at 5:30

later dudes 

tread

Nice find Bill. I can't say I remember my French from HS some ?? years ago.

Tread,

Try this site on for size...everything you ever wanted to know about French armor and more... http://www.chars-francais.net/ just use a translater service like Google or similar and you should be ok.

william carls

hey guys... could find no place locally in CT. to buy my Char B1 bis.....got it from e-bay for 59 bucks including shipping from NY .... the kit still commands a fairly high price for 1/35 scale..should have it Aug 22 according to shipping info.. Im gettin' cranked up!....

I'm having trouble finding good French sites.. If anybody has links I would be very grateful...have to start planning paint scheme and proper markings.

Has the actual starting date been announced? .... I may have missed it

thanks

tread

Hey Tread, the starting date is in the initial post Sept 18 - March 1. 

Glad you landed your Char B. The price surprises me a bit. I thought it would have come down some by now. Oh well, it's ordered and you'll get it.

As far as French sites, yah I'm with you. I need more camo info for my H 39.

hey guys... could find no place locally in CT. to buy my Char B1 bis.....got it from e-bay for 59 bucks including shipping from NY .... the kit still commands a fairly high price for 1/35 scale..should have it Aug 22 according to shipping info.. Im gettin' cranked up!....

I'm having trouble finding good French sites.. If anybody has links I would be very grateful...have to start planning paint scheme and proper markings.

Has the actual starting date been announced? .... I may have missed it

thanks

tread

True Eric,,,, true..........    I'll still build (sometime) and post....   no prob

Now,,, what to pick for this GB,, hmmmm.........

Carlos, there are many options on the first page. if you find something that interests you, you can ask the group whom makes the kit, or go to one of the online sites, such as Greatmodels, and conduct a search. HTH

tigerman

 

 

Hi Carlos, welcome to the forums. 

I'm afraid the 234/2 Puma didn't get into service until 1943, which would disqualify this from the GB. Remember, it's France 1940, so not later.

Unless I'm crazy, the AH64A came as an Apache helicopter, which too would completely disqualify it from the GB as well, for this is not a modern build. My Apologies if I'm incorrect.

Hi Tigerman, you are correct on both, that´s why I need to do the research and buy a model. in a day or two I´ll have it.

Thanks for the welcome.

BaBill212

My bubble is burst..........     the soon to arrive Pz 38(t) E/F is DQ'd,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,         AHHhhhhhhhhhh....   

 

At least you got a honey of deal on her.

Bob/Rob,

The differences between a StuG A and B are more than the track width and suspension design. The A had a different roof hatch arrangement for the gunner's periscope/sights as well as slightly different fender storage arrangements for tools and the lack of a rear Notek convoy light vs the features on a B. Other than that, they were essentially the same.

Not sure what happened with the other image, so who's going to build this Mojo?

My bubble is burst..........     the soon to arrive Pz 38(t) E/F is DQ'd,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,         AHHhhhhhhhhhh....   

BOB, BOB sorry about that

BOBBAILY - Yes , was reffering to your STUG B

PANZERWAFFE

BOB - think your right about the A,B STUG.  Believe only the A variant was in service in France.  The Offical Armistice and cease fire was at 0135 on 25 June 1940.  The STUG B did not start production until 1 Jun so would not thing they would appear in France.

If you use your STUG that you have, the only noticable difference between the two (and thats if anyone really does notice) was the width of the tracks.  The A 's tracks were 36cm and the B's were 40cm.

Rob-I'm not sure if I you are responding to me or the other Bob....but I'll reply-I was thinking about the StuG B but both you and Bill have confirmed that only the A version would be correct.  However, the fact that the track difference was only 4cm ( what would that be in scale, 0.114"?), maybe a quick swipe with a sanding stick should solve that problem....if anyone might happen to stop by with a tape....I'm still leaning toward the bf109E-4 that I have in the stash, but I'm going to check out my other LHS and see if any targets....err...tanks catch my eye.

Who's going to build this MOJO?

Kveldulfr

Count me in! I just have read the post and it will be my first group build.

Actually I´m building an sdkfz 234/2 1/72 and a AH64A 1/32, so I need to do some reseach and buy a model, I'm returning from years of inactivity and (you can laugh at this) don't have a stash.

If there isn´t any trouble for the fact that I don't have a model yet I will be happy to participate.

 

Carlos

Hi Carlos, welcome to the forums. 

I'm afraid the 234/2 Puma didn't get into service until 1943, which would disqualify this from the GB. Remember, it's France 1940, so not later.

Unless I'm crazy, the AH64A came as an Apache helicopter, which too would completely disqualify it from the GB as well, for this is not a modern build. My Apologies if I'm incorrect.

Bill, you shot a few in the foot on the Pz 38(t)

Look forward to your super-kit.

Count me in! I just have read the post and it will be my first group build.

Actually I´m building an sdkfz 234/2 1/72 and a AH64A 1/32, so I need to do some reseach and buy a model, I'm returning from years of inactivity and (you can laugh at this) don't have a stash.

If there isn´t any trouble for the fact that I don't have a model yet I will be happy to participate.

Carlos

Didn't see the GB thread until now...but have some info to offer regarding vehicles and eligibility:

1) Only StuG A's saw combat in France, no Bs. While a few were produced in June, they weren't issued to any front-line units in action in France and none saw combat at all until the Greece/Balkans campaign in '41.

2) Only Pz 38(t) As or Bs saw combat in France with maybe a few Cs since C production began in May '40. The E run didn't start factory production until Nov '1940 with the F run starting in May '41 so they aren't even a long shot for consideration if the confines of the GB timeframe are to be honored. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on that front but hopefully it's before Bill gets too heavily invested in it.

I'm going to be entering this one with the Dragon Pzkpfw IV Ausf C. It's one of the "Super Kit" offerings so it's time I finally bit the bullet and got it built.  

I'm doing my HOTCHKISS in a tri-color tortoise shell scheme w/ the different colors outlined in black...short barrel...

Sorta like this MOJO:

Also will have the four figgies you see here on a resn dio base...

BOB - think your right about the A,B STUG.  Believe only the A variant was in service in France.  The Offical Armistice and cease fire was at 0135 on 25 June 1940.  The STUG B did not start production until 1 Jun so would not thing they would appear in France.

If you use your STUG that you have, the only noticable difference between the two (and thats if anyone really does notice) was the width of the tracks.  The A 's tracks were 36cm and the B's were 40cm.

Thanks Darren.

Based on your info, some limited internet research & Satch's info from the Ospery book (which I was able to read a small amount of on one of the sites), I think I'm ok with my E-4.  Still considering some other decals for the E-4, backdating to an E-3 or finding an armor kit-should have a clear direction by the end of the weekend.

Cheers

bobbaily

Darren-good to see you here-we haven't crossed paths for awhile.  My BoB Spitfire is still 95% complete-just waiting for me to paint the canopy and attach the landing gear.....maybe I'll finish it for the next BoB GB....  I would appreciate it if you check your resources and see if you come up with the same results.

As a back up plan, I can order an  E-3 canopy and some different decals.....or purchase the Tristar Pz 38(t) kit....just trying to get by with pulling something out of the stash.

Bob It's nice to be building with you again!

I checked my references last night but got no definitive information on the 109E-4.  Everything I have talks about it being introduced early in 1940 but I did find some shot of very early camo'd E-4s without head armor on the French coast dated early 1940, so it looks like you're on a winner.

LuckyModel has my build for $23

You , dats who ! Was in Spokane today and looked in at my favorite place to buy models but nothing 1940 French there . I'll look on the internet .