Looking for French Armored Vehicles from WWII

[jmodule]

Does anyone know where I can find models of French armored vehicles? Preferably 1:48 scale or smaller.

So far the only one I've found is the FT-17, but that's more appropriate for World War I. I would especially like to find models of any of the light tanks, Hotchkiss or Renault, but at this point I'll be happy for anything. :)

[Zakopious]

Jmodule,

Satoshi Yoshioka has a free 1/72 scale white model of a panhard.
See: Y's Paper Modelworkshop / Models by Visiters (http://www.terra.dti.ne.jp/~yoshidom/)
I printed this model on green cardstock and it looks good enough for a wargame.

Exclusive Models has a 1/72 scale Renault R-35 on the drawing board.
It is said to be 20% complete.
See: Exclusive Models - Homepage (http://www.exclusive-models.yoyo.pl/Exclusive-Models_Homepage.html)

This French website shows a nice looking picture of a 1/72 scale Char B but I do not believe that it was ever released.
Modèles en carton Kit-Carton au téléchargement (http://kitcarton.free.fr/html/telechargtout.htm)

You would think that there would be more interest in French armor.

Ken

[jagolden01]

there s a commercial, pre-printed Char B available but I can't remember where.

there's a review on here I think.

[jagolden01]

Char B model review here:

http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/kit-reviews/2788-orel-b1-bis-tank-1-25-a.html

[Zakopious]

Jmodule,

This is the panhard 1/72 scale model by Satoshi Yoshioka which was printed on green cardstock.

French roundels were also glued on the model.

A darker green would have been better.

I also made the elevation of the gun too high.

But it is good enough for a wargame.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8215/crop7.jpg

Ken Moore
Sheffield Lake, Ohio

[CharlieC]

There is a free 1/48 Panhard armoured car at PAPER MODELS - Áúëãàðèÿ. Äîáðå äîøëè! (http://www.papermodels-bg.com).

Maly Modelarz published a 1/25 Renault R-35 a long time ago (mid-80s) - I've seen it turn up on eBay.

Hobbyfactory used to have a purchased download of the Somua in 1/43 but it seems to have been withdrawn from sale.

Many French tanks from the 1930s used castings rather than plate armour so they are difficult to model in card. The FT-17 was still in use in WW2 in the French army - French industry couldn't produce enough tanks so replacement of the FT-17s was never completed by the time the Germans invaded. The Germans captured a lot of FT-17s and used them for second line duties like airfield defence.

Regards,

Charlie

[rickstef]

Hobbyfactory used to have a purchased download of the Somua in 1/43 but it seems to have been withdrawn from sale.

Regards,

Charlie

But I think we can influence the owner of the Hobbyfactory, and see if he is willing to make it available again.

Rick

[Zakopious]

CharlieC,

Y's Papermodel Workshop has a 1/72 scale model of a M4A1 Sherman.

I never built this model but the pictures show rounded surfaces.

See: Y's Paper Modelworkshop / Models by Visiters (http://www.terra.dti.ne.jp/~yoshidom/)

Apparently, it is possible to simulate the rounded surfaces of castings in paper.
I am sure that it also increases the difficulty of designing and building the model.

A person wanting to design a French tank could build Y's M4A1 Sherman first to see how he did it.

Ken

[jmodule]

So it has been about 2 months since I asked about models, and since I haven't found any other than the ones mentioned in this thread, I decided to try my hand at designing one.

My first attempt is the Renault R-35. A light infantry tank that is described as the most numerous tank in the French Army in 1940 -- though somehow not as famous as the Char B1 or Somua S-35. I took some artistic license in how the hull goes together to make it easier on the builder. But I tried to keep a rounded profile when viewed from a distance.

30475

There is still a lot of work to be done, but I was excited to have a test build so soon in the design process. I'm not sure about the colors, the track/suspension part needs new texture, and the gun needs to be redesigned. Still I feel I'm off to a good start.

Here's a final picture comparing my design to a plastic 1:72 Somua by Heller.

30476

--
Jim

[shrike]

It conveys the essence of Renault's little LeTank very well.

I would lighten up all of the suspension so that you can use black shadows instead of whitespace, but that's my only criticism.

[CharlieC]

The R-35 at Saumur probably isn't too far from the original colours - there are some images of it at Chars français - Accueil (http://www.chars-francais.net) (if you have trouble with the French - select "Chars" from the menu then scroll down to "Renault R-35" - the colour images are close to the bottom of the thumbnails.

Another take on this camo scheme is at AMMS Brisbane (http://www.ammsbrisbane.com/reference.htm) - look for the AMC-35 (ACG-1).

There is an R-35 on primeportal.net with an ochre/green camo scheme.

This image claims to a period colour image - World War 2 Pictures In Color :: Other Units :: aab (http://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/other/aab)

Regards,

Charlie

[dkaniel]

For a first attempt at a tank you did a very good job! I like the fact that you are modeling a tank that has not been done before. Might you be convinced to make this model available to rest of us? If not I understand since you are doing the hard part and designing it.

[Dragos]

Free 1/72 FT-17 from Forum en papier (http://www.maquettes-papier.net/forumenpapier/topic956.html)

http://www.maquettes-papier.net/forumenpapier/images/uploads/buzuc/FT17_paper.jpg

[jmodule]

Dragos: I have that model, the original by Wayne, both the free one and the paid-for model. But thanks for the suggestion. :-)

dkaniel: My plan is to eventually publish the model. I just have to figure out when and where ("when" mostly determined by completing the design :p).

CharlieC: Thanks for the links. I went back and improved my colors based on what you found. The only thing now is deciding whether it needs to be lighter to give the proper scale effect.

Meanwhile I have been working on redrawing the suspension part. I still want to keep it a single piece, but I have been playing with layering the details to make them stand out better. In the example below, the track module on the right has the layered parts (hopefully you could tell). What I don't know is if the effect is worth the extra effort.

31961

I welcome any comments on it. :)

[Don Boose]

I look forward to this one becoming available. I like the vehicles you design (my build of your simple universal carrier is complete except for the lights and antenna -- things are very busy but I hope to get photos posted in a day or so) and would be happy to build more of them.

The layering looks good.

Don

[Zakopious]

The girls-und-panzer website shows a picture of a Char B1 bis.
Is there a papermodel of that tank on that website ?
I have difficultly navigating the website due to the language barrier.

ガールズ＆パンツァー(GIRLS und PANZER)｜B1bis (http://girls-und-panzer.jp/mecha_b1bis.html)

[cfuruti]

The girls-und-panzer website shows a picture of a Char B1 bis.
Is there a papermodel of that tank on that website ?
I have difficultly navigating the website due to the language barrier.

ガールズ＆パンツァー(GIRLS und PANZER)｜B1bis (http://girls-und-panzer.jp/mecha_b1bis.html)

AFAIK the only papermodels on that site are Duck Team's Type 89 and an Italian tankette.

[Zakopious]

cfuruti,

Thank you for your help.

Ken

[Raja Ahsani]

You could try World of Paper Tanks as well, they have a lot 1/50 AFV models of WW2 and early cold war era, including some french tanks like the FT, Bat Chatillon 25t and ELC AMX, right now they are developing 1/25 AMX-13

Here's their thread: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/future-current-past-design-projects/20345-world-papertanks.html

[Zakopious]

Raja,

Thank you for the link.

Ken

[elliott]

I knew I had missed some. Thank you for the link.

[Daian1960]

My first attempt is the Renault R-35. A light infantry tank that is described as the most numerous tank in the French Army in 1940 -- though somehow not as famous as the Char B1 or Somua S-35. I took some artistic license in how the hull goes together to make it easier on the builder. But I tried to keep a rounded profile when viewed from a distance.

Any Chance of you loading the flat print to this site love to try it out with Char Bs tooo one could build a viable Division Cuirrasse force.

[Zakopious]

Any Chance of you loading the flat print to this site love to try it out with Char Bs tooo one could build a viable Division Cuirrasse force.

Good luck at finding a small scale Char B1 bis papermodel.
There are none.
If you must have a small scale Char B1 bis, there are a couple in plastic.

[Zakopious]

See Jmodule's discussion of the development of the R-35 model.
Little Soldiers: Renault R35 Tank (http://www.littlesoldiers.net/miniatures/renault_r35.html)

See my beta build of the R-35.
http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/armory/22594-renault-r-35-beta-build.html

[Boll51]

Hi

You can ask for the Kitkarton´s Char B1 on:

• Page d?index (http://www.maquettes-papier.net/forumenpapier/)

The designer is one of the members in that forum.

I´ve asked for it a long time ago, but have still no time to build it.

Boll51

[Zakopious]

What a great find !

I have been looking for a small scale Char B1 bis for a long time.

I will ask for it as soon as I figure out how to navigate www.maquettes-papier.net (http://www.maquettes-papier.net)

Ken

[waynemac]

I finally found the Char B1bis, or at least photos of it.
Modèles en carton Kit-Carton au téléchargement (http://kitcarton.free.fr/html/telechargtout.htm#tel_b1bis)
it appears to be a work in progress, so I e-mailed the designer, Phillippe, and asked him (in English) if the model is available.

Wayne McCullough

[Daian1960]

That photo appears to be a dead end Wayne

[waynemac]

You are correct. The two email links didn't work either. Both "bounced back" as undeliverable. any ideas? the website was last updated in 2008.

[Zakopious]

The designer (michaudphil) is a member of Papermodelers.com.
However, he has not visited this site for about a year.

See: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/armory/20123-char-b1-bis-scratch-build-1-25-a-2.html#post297353

[Zakopious]

It is my sad duty to announce that Philippe Michaud, the designer of the Kit Carton Char B1 bis, is deceased.
See: Avis de décès de Monsieur Philippe MICHAUD paru le 15/06/2013 dans L'Est Républicain - Libra Memoria (http://www.libramemoria.com/avis/l-est-republicain/haute-saone/2013/06/15/avis-philippe-michaud?Page=1)

He had a facebook page.
See: https://www.facebook.com/philippe.michaud.986?fref=ts

[waynemac]

I am sad to hear that. I am getting on in years, too, and the loss of another old-timer hits close to home. My condolences to his family, however late. Wayne McCullough

[11slaw]

Hello ,I know papermodels of french tank II WW:
-Maly Modelarz Renault R-35;Poland
-Renault UE-ProModel;Poland
-Renault R 17-GPM;Poland
-Char B1-Bumaznoye Modelirovanye/Russian editor/;
-Char B1 bis-WAK;Poland
-FCM2C/Char2c/-Modelik;Gpm;Poland

[Zakopious]

It is excellent that there are large scale models of French Armor available.

However, Jmodule was looking for models of 1/48 scale or smaller.
See: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/armory/4866-looking-french-armored-vehicles-wwii.html#post69120

Y's Papermodels has a 1/72 scale model of a Panhard.
Jmodule designed a model of a Renault R-35 himself.
Philippe Michaud designed a model of a Char B1 bis but never released it.
There is a 1/48 scale model of a Panhard at Papermodels Bulgaria.
Wayne McCullough designed a 1/72 scale FT-17.
World of Tanks Released a 1/50 scale Renault FT and variants.

And that is the extent of small scale French armor.
The selection is very limited.

[nebeltex]

The selection is limited at that scale partly because the demand for the subject is limited.

[Zakopious]

The Char B1 bis was the one French tank which could stand up to any of the German tanks.
I would think that there would at least be some demand for the Char B1 bis.
Especially, now that 1/72 scale plastic French figures are available for WWII from Caesar and Pegasus.
See: Plastic Soldier Review - World War II Listing (http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/PeriodList.aspx?period=1#France)

Skirmish Campaigns released two scenario books on France '40.
Bolt Action (28mm) and Flames of War (15mm) both have French figures and French Armor

I have been gaming 1940 scenarios between German and French forces using the Battleground WWII rules and 1/72 scale figures and armor.


Because it has two main guns and some curved surfaces, design would be more difficult than a regular tank.

Is there any way to estimate demand for a small scale Char B1 bis ?

[Boll51]

Hello all

Realy bad News about Mr. Michaud.

Should I share Philippe Michaud´s Char B1 bis in the download section to give this tank a possibility to get finished.

Boll51

[waynemac]

How much work does the Char B1bis need? The assembled views look really nice already. Has anyone done a beta-build except Phillipe himself? What are the ethical issues in doing this? Would his family perhaps give their consent conditional on giving Phillipe credit due for a lot of work on it?

Waynemc

[1970magno]

In my humble opinion, I think that the best tribute to the work of Philippe is that it be published and enjoyed by modellers on paper, since it seems that it was the intention of the Philippe manifested in your page. If there is something to end model, I think we are several who would be willing to do so.

[Gerry1966]

Hi friends. I'm also building and drawing models of armored vehicles in the small-scale (in my case it is 1/87, so I can fit models to models from Bestpapermodels and other authors, railroad construction, etc.) I also agree that the models of French vehicles are very rare, that is pity.
I think Char B-1 from Phillipe could be put to public use - it would be best tribute for his work.
Once I got from Jmodule his very nice Renault R-35. I redraw it in Corel, reduced into 1/87 and made another 3 versions, namely French R-40, R-35 in Romanian colors and Romanian tank destroyer Vanatorul du care R-35/45. If the original author will agree, I'd like to share them with you. I didn't built none of them yet, so I'd be glad if someone would check my work :-). Models are in vector graphics, it won't be a problem to change the scale again.
At home I have a few more "Frenchy", for example M4A2 Sherman and M10 in the marking of Free French, but they are based on commercial models that I could hardly distributed without copyright infringement.

[Zakopious]

When listing the available small scale French armor, I neglected to mention that ct ertz designed a Laffly 80AM 1935 armored scout car and posted the file in our downloads section.

[Zakopious]

A year and half later there are two more small scale French armor available.

The Somua s35
箱之工房 - Somua S35 (http://lazylife.at-ninja.jp/papercraft/somua_s35.html)

The Char B1 bis
箱之工房 - ルノーB1bis (http://lazylife.at-ninja.jp/papercraft/b1bis.html)

We finally have enough small scale French armor models for the gamers and the armor collectors to have a good selection of French armor.

[cfuruti]

...
The Somua s35
箱之工房 - Somua S35 (http://lazylife.at-ninja.jp/papercraft/somua_s35.html)

The Char B1 bis
箱之工房 - ルノーB1bis (http://lazylife.at-ninja.jp/papercraft/b1bis.html)

We finally have enough small scale French armor models for the gamers and the armor collectors to have a good selection of French armor.

The latter in both conventional and Girls und Panzer versions; also, its tracks are actually flat, but (at least in the pictures) impressively capture the distinctively grooved appearance of the original