The set gives you two complete Commander’s observation hoods, one with open binocular sight cover and the other with the closed cover.
There is nice cast texture on the hood surface and the side vision port is moulded closed and also includes the six flush screw heads on the top but unfortunately these are two small, too deep, unevenly aligned and in the complete wrong position being too far forward on the hood. Added to this the lower bolted lip is the wrong shape with the actual hood having a thin lower lip and indented bolted strip above this with these featured being correct on the Blast Models B1 bis sets just released.
So while you get two hoods they are basically of no use if you want the correct details but you could fill in the screw holes and start again adding the screws from the Lionmarc/Passion Models 0.6mm Brass screw heads.
The 75mm gun mantlet is also provided that includes the six small bolt heads around the barrel opening and the small pigtail lifting eye on the top but take care as this is quite fragile with the fit of the mantlet to the kit being very good.
Finally there is the large aerial base and guard on the rear hull with the concertina section of the aerial base being very even like the Tamiya kit part while photos show uneven contours.
Conclusion:
Unfortunately there is very little to recommend with this set as the observation
hoods have the wrong flush screws and lower lip detail but the aerial base
has improved detail and the bolt heads are on the 75mm gun mantlet.
Not recommended
The Char B1 bis Subject Page lists other reviews of sets available for the Tamiya B1 bis kit
References: Hommes et Matériels
du 15e BCC CHARS B AU COMBAT Histoire & Collections ISBN 2-913903-42-8 |
Les CHARS B B1-B1 bis-B1 ter Trackstory No.3 ISBN 2-9520988-4-4 |
Char B1
bis AFV Super Detail Photo Book Vol.2 Model Art Co.Ltd |
French
Military Vehicles of WWII Ground Power Special 12/03 |
Page Created September 16, 2006