stevej60 Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Hi folk's this is probably the only 1/76 Matchbox armour kit in the series I have never built so what better excuse to build it in this French GB.not got the kit as yet but there are loads on various sites but no hurry to start as I've a few must finishes in various GB's. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03278-char-b1-bis-renault-ft17--1192777 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 1 hour ago, stevej60 said: not got the kit as yet but there are loads on various sites I got one off Amazon for £12.50 posted, which I think is a good price. Did some hunting about, found a great site, in French, on French tanks the Char 1 bis schemes in the current Revell issue kit are, 257 Borrasque https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/14-classement-individuel/char-b/166-257-bourrasque from what I have read, the hearts are blue. VERDUN II n° 452 https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/14-classement-individuel/char-b/433-452-verdun-ii note, in the coluir phto, it looks grey, but other photos clearly show a camo pattern , and if you at the colour pic again, you can see part of the pattern, and the 'grey' is shiny tank reflecting light FANTASQUE n° 251 https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/14-classement-individuel/char-b/227-251-fantasque which is an interesting one, http://france1940.free.fr/armee/colours.html which was painted with an experimental scheme of 'Flocage' An engineer named Marc Marchal, who was a president of French chemist and would later ba a tanker in 1940 proposed a new type of camouflage, flocage, This was obtained by spraying fine fibrous filaments onto a tank previously painted with a gummy type of paint First the tank was painted a special mixture of glue and green paint and while still dry [sic, I assume this should be wet] the fibre was sprayed on, many colours were used, ranging from maroon for the tree trunks and limbs to yellow and green for simulated leaves. The final result resembled a small stand of trees. Trials conducted alongside other Char B Alpes in ordinary paint resulted in the scheme being dropped. While the textured surface worked quite well in reducing reflections off the armour, it was very expensive and time consuming to apply. More importantly, it was found after a few hours of running cross country, the fibre became so coated with dirt as to be unrecognisable. From Blitzkrieg - Camouflage and Markings. see also https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/marquages-camouflages/b1-bis-camouflages The whole site is very interesting, I found some colour film, with French Shermans, and after some searhcing about found film still on the site which identified the tanks, note they all have individual names.... cheers T 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 Many thank's Troy I'll look over this info with my morning coffee! found the Amazon offering now ordered cheers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig Eater Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 I'd completely forgotten that I had one of these in the stash too 😅 I might join you with a quick build before I tackle my main 1/35 project. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Great stuff Steve Two for the price of one what's not to like ? Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 In a fit of madness, I've bought myself a Trumpeter Char 1 bis, it would be interesting to compare the later kit with the old Matchbox kit. Good luck Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 11 hours ago, Wez said: In a fit of madness, I've bought myself a Trumpeter Char 1 bis, it would be interesting to compare the later kit with the old Matchbox kit. Good luck Steve. I did look at the Trumpeter kit Wez it's a great looking kit be interesting to see it built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 This is another great choice Steve, and an inspired choice by Matchbox when they moulded it. I remember building this a long time ago, the FT-17 was one of the quickest, and smallest, tank builds I did. Looking forward to this trip down memory lane. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 29, 2021 Author Share Posted July 29, 2021 Hi folk's,kit arrived odd as it was the cheapest option on Amazon including postage and it came from Germany! Anyway as stated this kit is new to me never having seen the Matchbox original but as usual for their armour kits very nicely molded. Two sessions later(about two hours) and we have the basics for paint and detailing especially the base. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Blimey Steve that didn't take long!! They are nice little kits aren't they and they seem to have gone together very nicely, just like the Matchbox armour kits I remember building. Looking forward to the paint going on mate, though going by the rate you have got them together you have probably already finished that too!😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Hi Steve, It is a nice kit - I have built 2 of them. I had got it in my head that this was the street scene diorama with the bent street lamp, but on checking I think that is the one for the Puma armoured car. I did not generally build the scenery, but some of it was pretty good as I found with my recent "Monty's Caravan". The one with the SdKfz 11 halftrack was not bad either. Pete Edited July 31, 2021 by PeterB 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 12 hours ago, PeterB said: Hi Steve, It is a nice kit - I have built 2 of them. I had got it in my head that this was the street scene diorama with the bent street lamp, but on checking I think that is the one for the Puma armoured car. I did not generally build the scenery, but some of it was pretty good as I found with my recent "Monty's Caravan". The one with the SdKfz 11 halftrack was not bad either. Pete Great little kits Pete it's always struck me the difference between Matchbox's armour and other subjects much more refined molds etc here's the collection. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Great collection of Matchbox armour Steve, the diorama bases made their kits instantly displayable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 Hi folk's,the base paiting has begun with weathering/detailing to come. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Great start on the base Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 2 minutes ago, modelling minion said: Great start on the base Steve. Thank's Craig,with various washes planned it will look a lot better once completed, I was impressed by a few clever touches on a build I looked at of this kit where trees were added behind the wall so if I can find something in the garden.......................... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 6 minutes ago, stevej60 said: Thank's Craig,with various washes planned it will look a lot better once completed, I was impressed by a few clever touches on a build I looked at of this kit where trees were added behind the wall so if I can find something in the garden.......................... That sounds like a great idea Steve, good luck in the garden. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 5, 2021 Author Share Posted August 5, 2021 Hi folk's,I'll call the base done ready for a matt coat(maybe a tree too).The renault tank is painted ready next for weathering.The Char B will now recieve a spray of green before the camoflage detail. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Great work Steve, the base looks very good indeed. Nice job on the Renault, a great paint job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 Hi folk's.Pushed on with the Char a good dry brush and wash will soften the camo edges but pleased with it so far. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 Looks great Steve.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 8, 2021 Author Share Posted August 8, 2021 Hi folk's,lossed and decaaled should get a wash into the panelling tonight. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 Decals look like they have gone down very nicely Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 Hi folk's,tracks added and after a dark wash a dusting with light earth the whole thing now needs a matt coat. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 That has worked really well Steve, blended everything in nicely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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