PzKpfw B2 (f) Char 1 bis

This is the Tamiya Char 1 built as a Panzer Kompanie 224 vehicle at Arnhem, September 1944. The Kompanie operated 16 Char 1 bis, mainly flammpanzer variants during the battle. They did operate at least two conventionally armed vehicles, which I chose to replicate here. The first use of the Kompanie during the battle was on 20 Sept 1944 in the AOR of 1 Border. A good number of 224 Kompanie tanks fell victim to 1 Borders' 6 pounder AT guns during the next few days, and they were extensively photographed [one German photographer captioning his picture as a "British Tank" funnily enough). In one incident, a 6 pounder crew pumped at least 6 shots into the tank after it was k/o'd, after the vehicle had killed one of their comrades. They had to be dragged off the gun. As with British Crocodile crews in Normandy, many escaping crew members were gunned down without mercy from the somewhat annoyed infantry they had been trying to fry.

Evidence suggests they were painted in a subdued three colour scheme, and at least one pic shows what look like a 3-number system on the turret, probably in red/white. All vehicles look extremely dusty, which obscured the cam scheme somewhat. The main changes I made were to try and replicate the German split hatch on the top cupola, and a German antenna.

References were the Concord "German Tanks at Arnhem" book and "When Dragons Flew", the excellent history of 1 Border during WW2. This is available from the Kings Own Border museum at Carlisle Castle, UK, and I heartily recommend it to all those interested in WW2 Airborne operations. It has some great photos, including some in colour. If any of you are interested, I can provide contact details.

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