I’ll make it Chris, but it’s a bigger project than it looked. I guess there was a good reason I left this kit sit in the closet for twenty years. Anyway, I’m using Zaloga’s “Blitzkrieg”, Ellis’ “Tanks of WWII” and Chamberlin’s “Tanks of the World 1915-1945” as my primary references with the photos Pierre gave us access to as well.
It’s a big project for sure, Steve. I had my kit for sometime. I bought it from Mike Bishop the creator. I have been building a collection of data on the Char B1 so feel free to ask and of course there are our fellow modelers in France that have the 1 to 1 scale Char B1 for reference. When you do a project how detailed to you get?
Pierre,
I have a question that you might be able to answer. In the drawing there is something missing 
On the top deck behind the turret there is a railing to keep the gun from damaging the tank but in that same area and on the left side I have seen another railing that is square in shape and runs parallel with the body. What is that? I tried hard to find a picture on the internet but this drawing was the best I could do.
I know what you’re talking about Chris, but I don’t have a clue what it is. It’s shown on the Zaloga drawings I have and I can see it in two of the photos in the book “Blitzkrieg”. (need a magnifier though) I’ll include it as it’s on the photo of the completed model on the box top as well, but once again, I don’t know what it is. Of course the interrupter must be put on because it’s a prominent item. The rest of the details will be some hatch handles and a couple of stowage hooks that are clearly shown in most photos. I don’t want to get too crazy 'cause the build itself is pretty challenging for my skills.
Don’t worry Guys,
I send you a specialist fo the B1 for all your questions !!!
" Please Pascal come on ! "
Pascal and his new Char B1 book…? That VERY Pascal…??!
Yes ! Pascal Danjou . His book will be sooner available on the market
( http://perso.wanadoo.fr/minitracks/index.htm )
Hi i’m glad to know that Exokit/Retrokit will be back
any date ?
MarcLe Bayon
Not quite certain yet, Marc… As soon as I can get a company bank account in the UK for the new company; just a question of signing papers, but with me here and friend and partner Marc Urwicz in France, it takes a bit of time…
Pierre,
When I saw that book my mouth started to water. I do not really like to buy things from Europe because of the expensive but for that book I might change my mind.
Chris I’ve got the one about Somua it’s wonderful !
I know you won’t have any trouble with Pascal if you want to order it, he’s very kind.
Any way if you need help to get it , just let me know by mail.
It supposed to be a frame for a radio’s area.
It seems to be that :
Just discovered one of my outside sprockets has about half the teeth missing[:(!]. I’ve been shopping around a bit for some ideas and it looks like casting a new from resin is the best option. Only touble is I’ve never done it before, I’m game to try it, but now I have to talk wifey into spending another $80 for a starter set. Guess I’d better shine up my silver tongued[}:)].
Steve,
I may have a cheaper option. Email me if you want to know.
Pierre,
Not that it matters much, but are these books french language only.[:D]
Not at all Chris, they are in french and english !
Yep, every single word is translated. Great value!
Here is an example :
Pierre,
I have sent you a picture of the Char B1 kit with the railing in question. There is a lot of scratchbuilding that needs to go into this model to get a good looking Char B1. Thanks to you and Domi, I definitely want to get my hands on the Minitracks books.
I just thought I would put in an update on my 2 projects for this GB.
The AMR 33 is at the painting stage as most of the kit is assembled. I am not going to bother with the resin tracks. I am stealing the tracks from my RPM Renault UE as a replacement. I also had to steal the hooks for the front and rear of the hull as they were missing from the kit.
As for the Char B1, I have glued the main sections of the hull together and I’m trying to fabricate a way to have the turret rotate 360 degrees. I tried drilling a hole in the hull and glue a matching pin in the turret but my alignment was off so when the turret is turned it is off slightly . I can’t decide which tank I want to model as there are no markings with the kit I will have to improvise or paint the marking by hand. I keep thinking the Verdun II.
Also I can’t thank you folks enough for the inputs to this GB. They are greatly appreciated.