Char B1 Battle Tank
1-87 World Tanks Depot 1:87 Scale Vehicle Review
The 1-87 World Tanks Depot Char B1 is sold fully assembled and painted, ready to play. Unfortunately, the tank comes without an attractive multi-coloured camouflage scheme, it is painted yellow olive and carries no tactical markings apart from a “U” radio call sign on the turret and hull sides. Perhaps this is meant to be “Nivernais II” of 2nd Platoon, 3rd Company, of the 37th Bataillon de Chars de Combat of the 1st Division Cuirassée de Réserve in 1940. However, “Nivernais II” had a two-colour camouflage scheme with brown disruptive stripes over an olive-green base colour.
The drive sprocket is mounted lower than on the Char B1.bis, resulting in a noticeable gap between the running gear and the rear track guard. This appears to be the case with the wreckage of the only surviving Char B1; however, that vehicle no longer has tracks, and the drive sprocket may have lowered due to the lack of track tension.
Cast in white metal, this Char B1 weighs 85 g. The vehicle still needs to be weathered, and it should be protected with a layer of clear varnish to reduce the risk of the enamel paint chipping off.
The antenna mount on the right rear of the engine compartment can be drilled open and fitted with a paint bristle as an antenna.
Compatible with HO scale model railway equipment and miniatures by Faller, Märklin, Noch, Pola, Preiser, ROCO, and Wespe Models.