Please find below our news release for the latest 1:35 scale TS-009 French Super Heavy Tank Char 2C kit. Your acknowledgement of receipt is kindly requested.
The Return of the Giant
Tanks were in all sorts of shapes in the early days. The French super heavy tank Char 2C could be one of the most attractive tanks because of its huge size. It weighed about 69t with a length of 10.27m. Compared with modern main battle tanks, it can still be called a giant. It was equipped with an electrical transmission, engines with 500hp output and a 75mm main gun. Its armor was 45 mm at the front and 22 mm at the sides. This surprising configuration made this tank a “science fiction” in the first two decades of last century. However, it’s too late for the Char 2C to appear in the last battle of WWI. The only 10 tanks were only used in propaganda by French Army. With the appearance of new tanks after WWI, this giant was finally obsoleted by the time.
MENG brings you this 1/35 scale TS-009 French Super Heavy Tank Char 2C kit. The kit consists of 544 parts, including parts on 16 sprues and 150 track parts. There are 10 PE parts on one PE fret. Slide-mold technology is widely applied to greatly improve the precision of parts as well as simplify assembly steps. Cement-free workable track links are easy to assemble. This TS-009 kit will perfectly replicate this French armor giant for you. The model is about 294mm in full length and 86mm in full width. Three paint schemes are provided.
Forgot to say that hopefully it comes out much better than the Tortoise, which I read very bad reviews from it including FSM who mentioned that the skills level to assembly are those of a Jedi Scale Master.
Reading the specs it says “294 mm of lenght”, almost a foot, OK, but “86mm in full width” WOW! it was narrow, for how long it is, it’s like a trailer.
Jim’s experience was it had a somewhat fiddly suspension but it cruised from there.
I used to own the resin version of the Char 2C (sold it on ebay several months ago) and can tell you it was extremely complex. The shape was basically a loaf of bread with tracks – a result of inter-war poor tank design.
I can’t wait to see this built up. Can’t say I’ll get it – there are way to many kits hitting the mkt and I can’t hope to stay ahead of the curve.
Hmmm, I picked up the Tortoise this weekend and looking at the parts in the box and the instruction manual it looks good- of course no idea how the fit is of course.
10 were built right after the end of WWI. Stayed in service until 1940 believe it or not. Most were destroyed by the French crews or by air attack (depending on the accounts you read/credit), 1 survived intact to be captured by the Germans. Definitely a monster and not one I though would ever be produced in styrene!
They were in the Guiness Book of records back in the day as the largest operational tanks. At least until the era of the Abrams. I had read about it, but would never have guessed that it would be kitted in injection styrene. Will I get one? not likely, the upcoming M103 is calling my name for a heavy.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think model manufacturers were working hard to fulfill my wish list. The Char2c, the St. Chamond; now we need a Schneider, for the hat trick! But who’s complaining?
This is an amazing tank to have as a kit. Only thing is, I’m kinda disappointed that they chose to not include an interior with this one. It’s size would have made it the perfect candidate for a full interior. Will I get one? Yes. Why will I get one? Because it’s a tank and tanks are awesome.
Full interiors require surviving and accessible tanks with full and intact interiors. Plus add another USD40 or 50 to the price point. Meng made the right decision, IMHO.
