Char B1

 was one of the most powerful tank designs available to France in the early years of World War II.

Background
The most powerful French tank in 1940, the 32-ton B1-bis was armed with a hull-mounted SA 35 75mm howitzer for use against fortifications, a turret-mounted SA 35 47mm gun, and a MAC 31 7.5mm machinegun. Its design philosophy was rooted in World War I experiences, with the specifications that eventually culminated in the B1 dating back to 1919. However, the tank put in production in 1935 was a surprisingly advanced design, including self-sealing petrol tanks, a fireproof bulkhead, a gyroscopic compass, an electric starter and a floor escape hatch doubling as chute for the disposal of empty cases. It proved itself largely invulnerable to German tanks during the Fall of France, defeated by logistical problems and strategic mistakes rather than direct combat.

With 365 built before the defeat of France, many Char B1s were captured in serviceable condition and pressed into German service as Panzerkampfwagen B-2 740(f). Most were utilized as tanks, primarily for occupation duties, but a number were modified for special purposes: Sixteen were converted into self-propelled artillery, mounted with a 10.5 cm leFH 18 light howitzer in an open-top casemate. Another sixty were modified by replacing the hull howitzer with a flamethrower, creating the Flammwagen auf Panzerkampfwagen B-2(f).

Models

 * Panzer B2(f) (SD2): The B1 tank captured by the Reich and pressed into its service, repainted into Dunkelgrau and marked with the Balkenkreuz.
 * Flammpz. B2(f) (SD2): A Beutepanzer where the hull howitzer was replaced with a flame projector.
 * FFI Char B1 Bis (scenario): Char B1 Bis were liberated by the Free French some were used in individual and incidental basis. 15 Char B1 Bis tanks will became 2nd Squadron of 13th Dragoons. These were sent to fight in Allied siege of La Rochelle.