PlasticPanzers.com Forum

Hi all,

on July 1st COVID finally caught up with me. Luckily, after three days mostly spent in a feverish delirium I recovered fairly quickly and used my quarantine time for something productive...

I honestly don't remember when I started this kit...it must have been in the late 2000s, back in the days of Model Armour. At a later stage I primed it in German Grey, and that's how it remained, until I finally got back to it:




Back then I used Armourscale barrels - yes, it's that old. The figure comes with the kit, but I replaced the head...I think

There's a driver too!


The weathering will be challenging, the real tanks had plenty of mud pouring down from the top track run.

Philipp

Weathering is done:






I've tried to achieve a dusty summer look instead of the stereotypical mud, using AK "North Africa Dust". This tank belonged to Panzer-Abteilung 102 (F) (no connection to the later sPzAbt 102 of the WSS) and saw service in the opening weeks of Operation Barbarossa in June/July 1941. Most Char B1s of that unit were converted to flamethrower tanks, with the company commanders and their staff having gun tanks (six in total). Naturally the B1 was completely unsuited for that terrain and after suffering several losses the unit was soon withdrawn.

I'm basically done with the tank, but I'm still going to add a few bits and pieces on the large empty engine deck. I haven't yet decided on a base, but it'll probably end up as a small stretch of dust road for the tank to sit on.

Philipp

The dusty effects look great Philipp. Nicely done.

Vincent

Nice work on the weathering Philipp
looking very dusty and road weary
I guess you are all recovered from Covid too?
Another Queen off the shelf and back on her throne/base soon
Nice one
Steve H

Thank you Vincent & Steve

COVID kept me busy for about 2.5 weeks until the last symptoms were gone. Mostly a sore throat and a persistent cough, nothing too serious, but still highly annoying. I'm glad it's over now, and hopefully I'm safe until the new vaccines come around...

Philipp

Stowage is on:


Barrel and jerry cans by Tamiya, box and tarp by Value gear:


I've ordered a nice and proper wooden base for once, but in the meantime, I'm calling this one done:


Philipp

I like Philipp, the stowage in particular looks really nice.

Thank you Adam I've tied down the barrel a bit more, just gravity and friction seemed a bit hazardous

The base is complete, I think I'm done here





This time I've ordered a cheap wooden base from ebay, with a bit of plaster on top and covered in the same dust pigments as on the tank. The grass tufts are by Fredericus-Rex, I've used them for several dioramas by now.

Base sans tank:


Now, finally onward to the Middle East?

Philipp

Somehow I totally missed this thread. I was googling Char B1 Beutepanzer and this post showed up.

Love this build. I'm thinking of doing something similar. Either a gun tank or a flam version. Can't quite decide.

Which decals did you use for this? I have an eye on an AM set but its OOP.

Thank you Bryan

I've used the decals that came with the kit. I was surprised how well they behaved, with a bit of Mr Mark Softer they wrapped themselves perfectly around the details.

This unit used the first generation of B1 flame tanks with either a small nozzle in place of the 75mm gun or the small rotating flame turret as used on the Panzer II Flamingo. Neither had the fuel backpack of the later versions, so it might be easier to scratchbuild?

I have another B1 Beutepanzer in my stash and the thought certainly crossed my mind

Philipp