Tamiya 35287 - 1:35 B1 bis German Army

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the B1 bis tank in German service (Pz.Kpfw. B2 740(f))

Tamiya 35287 reproduces the French B1 bis heavy tank in the version used by the German army under the designation Pz.Kpfw. B2 740(f). After the French campaign of 1940, a considerable amount of French equipment fell into the hands of the Wehrmacht, which pressed these tanks into service with varying degrees of modification.

The model is based on the same design as the earlier French B1 bis from Tamiya, supplemented with parts typical of the German rebuild. The main differences are the modified observation cupola with top hatches and the additional armour on the hull front. Some vehicles were simply repainted in German markings with little change, retaining the French cupola – both options are included in the kit.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and fittings
• German rebuild parts: additional concrete armour on the hull front, German tools, antennas and exhaust nozzles
• Cupola choice: German two-part hatch or the French observation cupola
• Individual link tracks
• Two chains and twine to represent external equipment
• Two fender types depending on the version
• Decal sheet for three marking options
• Illustrated instructions with a full-colour painting guide

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35287
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 182 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (individual link tracks, detailed model)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Despite its detailed construction, the model is approachable thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya. The individual link tracks require patience, and the included chains nicely accent the rear of the hull. It is worth deciding on the cupola and fender type early on, as they depend on the chosen marking option.

For painting, the palette typical of early-war German vehicles is recommended, matched to the chosen option in the instructions. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail, rivets and recesses benefit from a wash.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and rivets
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Char B1 bis / Pz.Kpfw. B2 740(f):

The Char B1 bis was a French interwar heavy tank notable for its unusual armament layout: a 75 mm gun mounted fixed in the hull, with a rotating turret housing a 47 mm gun. Its thick armour made it one of the best-protected tanks of the early war, although its low speed and complex operation limited its effectiveness.

After the fall of France in 1940, many B1 bis examples were taken over by the German army and given the designation Pz.Kpfw. B2 740(f). Some were kept close to the original, while others were rebuilt – fitted with German equipment, modified cupolas, and sometimes converted into special vehicles, including flamethrower tanks and self-propelled guns.

In German service, these tanks were used for training, occupation and anti-partisan duties, as well as on secondary front sectors. The Tamiya 35287 model lets you recreate the vehicle in the version used by the Wehrmacht.

Original specifications (Char B1 bis):

• Length: approx. 6.37 m
• Width: approx. 2.58 m
• Height: approx. 2.79 m
• Combat weight: approx. 28 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 75 mm gun in the hull and a 47 mm gun in the turret
• Secondary armament: two 7.5 mm machine guns
• Powerplant: Renault petrol engine, approx. 300 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 28 km/h
• Range: approx. 180 km
• Armour: up to 60 mm

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. Since 1960, when it introduced its first plastic kit, the brand has steadily built a reputation based on exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit. As a result, its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.