The Char B1 bis was the most powerful French tank at the beginning of World War II.

However, it had been designed for World War I conditions so, despite its strong armour, it was not well suited for modern mobile warfare.

Development of the Char B began in the 1920s to give the French army the ideal tank to win World War I.

Design and development was carried out by a number of companies and a total of 403 Char B1s and Char B1 bis had been manufactured by five companies by the fall of France in June 1940.

Despite their mechanical problems, obsolete design philosophy and cost, the Char B1 bis proved a serious obstacle to the German invasion because it was impervious to most German anti-tank weapons and 161 were used in various roles by Germany after its victory.

This model represents a Char B1 bis in service with the 46th BCC of the 44th Division Cuirassé in May 1940.

Trumpeter 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in September 2010.