Italeri Char B1 Bis

The Italeri Char B1 Bis (HC-W25766) centres on France's formidable "Char de Bataille" B1, the main battle tank fielded by the French Army in the Second World War. Conceived in the mid-1920s and deployed from the mid-1930s, it featured distinctive large, exposed tracks characteristic of the era.

The improved "bis" variant enhanced overall performance and operational capability. Armament combined a 47mm turret cannon with a 75mm howitzer housed in a front casemate, giving the vehicle notable firepower for its time. Sturdy and massive, the B1 bis was commonly employed to support infantry units rather than in autonomous armoured groups, a factor that shaped its role during the 1940 Campaign in France.

Key Details

• Main battle tank of the French Army during the Second World War
• Design origins in the mid-1920s; entered service in the mid-1930s
• "Bis" upgrade improved performance and operational capability
• Armament: 47mm turret gun and 75mm front casemate howitzer
• Distinctive large, exposed track layout typical of the period
• Historically used primarily in infantry support during the 1940 Campaign