The best Char B1 bis model kits sit in a strange little niche: a French heavy tank from 1940 that most manufacturers have never bothered to tool properly, so the choices run from a venerable 1/35 Tamiya kit to 15mm wargaming boxes containing a dozen vehicles. I spent weeks comparing every option currently catalogued, reading the build reports, and weighing what each kit actually gives you for the hours you will spend on it.
What follows is a roundup of the six Char B1 bis model kits I could find, ranked by what a builder actually gets out of the box. If you have never built armour before, our destroyer model kit roundup explains the tools and techniques that carry over. If you are already comfortable with injection-moulded styrene, jump straight to the kit reviews.
The short version: the Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis is the one to own. Everything else is either a different scale for a different purpose, a variant marking, or a gaming box. Below I explain why, and exactly where each of the other five earns its place.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for Best Char B1 bis Model Kits in 2026
- Every Char B1 bis Kit in This Roundup at a Glance
- 1. Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis (35282) – The Benchmark French Heavy
- 2. Warlord Games Bolt Action 28mm Char B1 bis (402015502) – Fastest Tabletop Build
- 3. Italeri 1:56 Char B1 bis (25766) – The Small-Scale Builder Kit
- 4. Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis with Single Motor (30058) – Rolling Armour
- 5. Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis German Army (35287) – The Captured Panzerkampfwagen
- 6. Flames of War FRAB03 Char B1 bis Combat Company – A Full 15mm Company
- How to Choose a Char B1 bis Model Kit in 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Char B1 bis model kit?
- Is the Tamiya Char B1 bis kit good for beginners?
- What scale Char B1 bis model kit should I buy?
- What is the difference between 1/35 and 1/56 Char B1 bis kits?
- What tools do I need to build a Char B1 bis model kit?
- How long does it take to build a Char B1 bis model kit?
- Our Verdict on the Best Char B1 bis Model Kits in 2026
Top 3 Picks for Best Char B1 bis Model Kits in 2026
Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis (35282)
- Slide-moulded one-piece upper hull
- Workable individual link tracks
- Markings for four tanks
Warlord Games 28mm Char B1 bis
- Multi-part tank and crew for Bolt Action: Tank War
- Full-colour waterslide decals and damage markers
- Stat card and paint booklet
Italeri 1:56 Char B1 bis (25766)
- Detailed 1:56 scale plastic kit
- Step-by-step illustrated instructions
- Parts painted to the builder's taste
Every Char B1 bis Kit in This Roundup at a Glance
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis (35282) |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Warlord Games 28mm Char B1 bis |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Italeri 1:56 Char B1 bis (25766) |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis Single Motor (30058) |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis German Army (35287) |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Flames of War FRAB03 Char B1 bis Combat Company |
|
Check Latest Price |
One caveat up front. Only six distinct Char B1 bis model kits exist in the current catalogue, so this is a complete list rather than a padded top ten. Several of the results that surface for this search are actually the earlier Char B1 from 1937, the Char 2C bis, the FCM 2C bis or the Char D2. Those are different vehicles and I have kept them out.
1. Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis (35282) – The Benchmark French Heavy
Tamiya Models French Battle Tank B1 BIS
1:35 scale styrene kit
1-piece slide-moulded upper hull with hex bolt detail
Working individual link tracks
Listed assembly time 48 hours
Pros
- Exceptionally good part fit with witness marks for correct alignment
- Small sensibly placed sprue gates and unobtrusive ejector pin marks
- Workable tracks sturdier than comparable kits
- Markings for four tanks with a two-page full-colour guide
- Flash-free parts throughout
Cons
- Decals feel thick and may need a setting solution
- Periscope dome supplied in two halves rather than slide-moulded
- Non-standard hull construction means dry fitting before cementing
This is the kit that every serious conversation about the subject eventually circles back to. Steve Zaloga’s test-shot review on the Finescale Modeler Forum, and the discussion that followed it, set the tone: individual link tracks arriving pre-cut and ready to assemble were called an incredible bit of moulding technology, and they still are, decades later.
On the bench the reputation holds up. Builders consistently report part fit precise enough that the witness lines tell you where a panel belongs, sprue gates small enough to clean up quickly, and ejector pin marks that barely need attention. The listing itself carries a 4.6 star average across 133 ratings, which is a real volume of owner feedback for a kit of this age.
The upper hull is a single slide-moulded piece with hex bolt detail captured in the surface, which is why the finished model reads as riveted and welded rather than smooth. The hull is not a standard bathtub design, which cuts both ways: the fit is superb once you understand the assembly sequence, but it does demand dry fitting before anything gets cemented.
The workable tracks are the other headline. They are sturdier than the link-band setups on comparable kits and stay connected through handling, and reviewers repeatedly single them out as the reason the finished model looks right on a display base. The listed assembly time of 48 hours is a fair floor, and most builders treat it as a two-to-three-week project once painting and detailing are counted.
What you get and what you will be fixing
Kitchen-sink content for a 1/35 kit: the full hull, turret, 28mm and coax machine gun detail, commander figure, workable running gear and a decal sheet offering four different tanks with a two-page full-colour placement guide. That guide is genuinely useful and remains one of the better instruction pieces in the aftermarket.
The finish-level gripes are minor. Decals are described as thick and may need a setting solution to behave properly, and the turret periscope dome is moulded in two halves instead of being slide-moulded, so that seam needs work. Exterior surface detail is detailed enough to give you a canvas for weathering, which is precisely what most builders want from a kit at this level.
Who this kit suits and who it does not
This is the right first serious armour build for someone who will read the instructions fully and is comfortable with dry fitting. It is rated as an advanced kit with a recommended age of 15 and up, and the non-standard hull construction is exactly why: patience matters more than skill with a blade.
If you want a forgiving first tank, pick a simpler kit and come back to this one. If you want a competition-grade subject on a shelf, the moulding quality here is worth the hours. If you want a wargaming piece, this is far too large and slow to be the right answer.
2. Warlord Games Bolt Action 28mm Char B1 bis (402015502) – Fastest Tabletop Build
Wargames Delivered – Warlord Games Bolt Action Tank War – Char B1 Bis French Model Tank, 28mm Miniature, World War 2 Army Model for Miniature Wargaming
28mm multi-part tank and crew assembly
APX4 turret with longer L/32 47mm SA 35 gun
Hull-mounted 75mm howitzer
Waterslide decals, damage markers and stat card
Pros
- Easy and quick assembly with one reviewer finishing in about 10 minutes
- Parts fit together and lock into place cleanly
- Rare subject that is hard to find elsewhere
- Stat card
- damage markers and full-colour decal sheet included
Cons
- Tracks can be tricky to line up leaving a visible gap
- Thin plastic antenna snaps easily and no wire alternative is included
- Instruction booklet is poorly laid out with fused variants and step errors
This is not a model kit in the display sense. It is a 28mm gaming piece, and the honest way to review it is as a game component: how fast it goes together, how it handles on the table, and whether the box gives you what a game needs.
On speed it wins comfortably. One reviewer finished the assembly in roughly ten minutes, and the general report is that the parts fit together and lock into place cleanly with no filler. At 4.5 stars from 237 ratings, this is the best-reviewed kit in the roundup by volume of owner feedback, though many of those reviews cover other vehicles in the same Warlord range.
The historical content is unusually strong for a gaming product. The set describes the Char B1 bis as an upgrade on the B1 with thicker armour, an APX4 turret and the longer-barrelled L/32 47mm SA 35 gun, plus the hull-mounted 75mm howitzer. It also carries the French wartime rationale for the heavy Char and the fate of the 161 vehicles captured in 1940.
Included in the box are the plastic components, a full-colour waterslide decal sheet, vehicle damage markers, a Bolt Action stat card and a detailed build and paint booklet. For a 28mm force that is a complete package rather than a partial one, and the Char B1 bis is a genuinely awkward subject to find elsewhere in 28mm.
What you get and what to watch for
Expect a small, fiddly, quick build. The recurring gripes are track alignment, which can leave a visible gap between treads if you do not seat them carefully, and the thin plastic antenna, which snaps easily and comes with no wire alternative in the box. Some very small parts are also finicky to glue.
The instruction booklet is the weak point. Builders report it being poorly laid out with fused variants and step errors, so have a sharp eye on the sequence rather than assuming the diagrams are right. Nothing here is serious enough to stop a game, but it is why the box does not score higher.
Who this kit suits and who it does not
This is the kit for a tabletop player running 28mm historical wargames who wants French heavy armour on the table this weekend. Assembly time is short, the stat card and damage markers are already printed, and a French heavy that many opponents will not have seen is worth the ten minutes.
It is the wrong buy for a display shelf. At 28mm there is no surface detail to paint, no suspension to work on and no markings option beyond the single sheet. If your interest is modelling rather than gaming, skip this and start with the Tamiya.
3. Italeri 1:56 Char B1 bis (25766) – The Small-Scale Builder Kit
Italeri 25766 1:56 Char B1 Bis Model Building Kit, Stand Model Building, Crafts, Hobby, Gluing, Plastic Kit, Detailed Military Kit, Tank 1:56
Detailed 1:56 scale plastic kit
Step-by-step illustrated instructions
Parts finished and painted to taste
Tools, glue and paints not included
Pros
- Detailed 1:56 scale kit of an unusual subject
- Customisable since every part can be painted to the builder's own design
- Compact size suits a small workbench and limited storage
Cons
- Very small review base limits long-term owner feedback
- Assembly instructions are not guaranteed to be in English
- Tools
- glue and paints must be bought separately
Italeri’s 1:56 Char B1 bis is the sensible middle path for a modeller who wants the subject in their existing 28mm armour collection without buying into a game system. It is a conventional styrene kit with step-by-step illustrated instructions and nothing else.
Be careful with the rating. It shows 5 stars, but that comes from only 3 ratings, so it tells you very little about long-term quality. The honest read is that a handful of buyers rated it highly as a detailed 1:56 kit of an unusual subject and left very little written detail behind.
What is genuinely appealing here is the customisation angle. Every part is supplied as a separate piece and painted to the builder’s own design, which makes it a good candidate for a first armour build or for a quick project when the standard markings do not excite you.
What you get and what to watch for
The box contains a detailed 1:56 plastic kit requiring self-assembly of individual parts, with assembly accompanied by step-by-step illustrated instructions. Tools, glue and paints are not included, so budget for a starter set of supplies before you begin.
The one real uncertainty is language. The instructions carry an English-language warning, which means the diagrams are illustrated but the text may not be. If you are not comfortable reading a kit plan in another language, check a photograph of the instruction pages before committing.
Who this kit suits and who it does not
Choose this if you want the Char B1 bis in 1/56 to sit alongside an existing 28mm armour shelf, you like painting to your own scheme, and you want a build you can finish in an evening or two. It is also the easiest entry point for someone who is curious about the subject but not ready for a 48-hour 1/35 project.
Skip it if you intend to up-scale later, or if you want the suspension, the working tracks or the fine surface texture that make a 1/35 build rewarding. At this scale those details are simply not present, which is the usual disappointment that up-scalers report from small-scale kits.
4. Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis with Single Motor (30058) – Rolling Armour
30058 1/35 French Battle Tank B1 bis w/Single Motor
1/35 static model kit of the French Char B1 bis
Supplied with a single motor unit
Listed weight 1.3 pounds
Recommended for ages 15 and up
Pros
- Includes a single motor unit as supplied
- Tamiya tooling and finish at 1/35 scale
- Strong owner satisfaction with no ratings below three stars
Cons
- Single-motor setup provides limited movement options
- Small review base gives limited guidance for prospective buyers
This is the same 1/35 Char B1 bis platform as the top pick, supplied with a single motor unit so the finished tank can roll. Tamiya has released this motorised configuration as a distinct box, and it shows up in more than one Hyperscale build thread as a genuinely popular starting point.
Owner satisfaction is strong. It carries a 4.6 star average from 16 ratings with no ratings below three stars, which tells you almost nobody regrets the purchase, but also means the written commentary is thin. You are buying known Tamiya tooling with a documented Tamiya finish.
What you get and what to watch for
You get the 1/35 static kit of the French Char B1 bis plus one motor unit as supplied. That motor is the reason to choose this box over the plain static kit: it adds a small motor and the parts needed to drive the tracks, at the cost of a more involved build and a heavier finished model.
Expect a longer assembly than the standard kit because you are also fitting the drive unit correctly inside the hull. Get the motor seated before you close the hull sides, and check that the sprocket and idler mesh with the track run rather than forcing the joins.
Who this kit suits and who it does not
Pick this if you want the Char B1 bis to move. Motorised armour kits are a genuine phenomenon among builders who like displaying a rolling vehicle, and this is the Tamiya way to do it with tooling you already know will fit well.
Skip it for a pure static competition build, where the motor is dead weight, or for wargaming, where a 1:35 tank has no place on the table. Only 16 ratings exist, so if motor reliability matters to you, read recent owner posts before committing.
5. Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis German Army (35287) – The Captured Panzerkampfwagen
Tamiya B1 Bis (German Army)
1/35 kit of the Char B1 bis as operated by the German Army
Plastic model kit with 1 x item
Listed weight 500 g
Tamiya tooling and finish
Pros
- Unique German-captured B1 bis variant not covered by standard French kits
- Tamiya build quality with well-regarded fit and finish
- No ratings below four stars across 20 owner ratings
Cons
- Only 20 ratings so long-term owner feedback is limited
- Listed for a younger audience and toy play rather than a stated modeller skill level
- No motor unit is listed as included unlike the 30058 version
Most Char B1 bis kits depict French Army vehicles in 1940. This one depicts what Germany did with them. The captured Char B1 bis formed part of the German inventory under the Panzerkampfwagen B-2 740 designation, with a number converted into flame-throwing vehicles, and this kit models that German-captured variant rather than the standard French scheme.
That distinction is the entire appeal. If you have already built the French Army kit, this is a different subject on the shelf, not a duplicate, and it is one of the few Char B1 bis kits that tells a story no other box in this roundup tells.
Owner ratings skew very high, averaging 4.9 stars across 20 ratings with nothing below four. Buyers single out the variant subject and typical Tamiya execution, though the written commentary is brief rather than detailed.
What you get and what to watch for
The box is a 1/35 kit of the Char B1 bis as operated by the German Army, built with Tamiya’s usual components and materials. Expect the same core experience as the standard kit: good fit, sound finish and a build that rewards careful preparation.
Be aware of what the listing does not promise. No motor unit is listed as included, unlike the 30058 box, and the product is aimed at a younger audience and listed for toy play rather than carrying a modeller skill rating. It is a model kit, but it is not presented as an advanced build.
Who this kit suits and who it does not
Buy this if you want a captured-vehicle diorama, a German-service Char B1 bis for a late-war display, or a companion to a French Army build already on your shelf. It is a niche choice, but it is a niche nothing else fills.
Skip it if you want the classic 1940 French scheme with its own markings history, or if you want the highest-detail snapshot of the vehicle. This is the Tamiya 1/35 experience with a different national history attached.
6. Flames of War FRAB03 Char B1 bis Combat Company – A Full 15mm Company
Flames of War: FRAB03 French Char B1 bis Combat Company (plastic)
1/100 or 15mm scale tabletop set
Contains 11 plastic vehicles and 7 plastic infantry teams
Supplied unassembled and unpainted
Recommended for ages 15 and up
Pros
- Complete company package with 11 vehicles plus 7 infantry teams
- Unusually large vehicle count for a single Flames of War box
- Supports 15mm tabletop play alongside the Char B1 bis
Cons
- Supplied unassembled and unpainted so assembly time is significant
- Only one customer rating so there is little owner feedback
This is not a single vehicle. It is a complete Char B1 bis combat company: 11 plastic vehicles plus 7 plastic infantry teams, supplied unassembled and unpainted for 1/100 or 15mm Flames of War gaming.
What makes the box unusual is the vehicle count. Eleven tanks in one package is a lot of models, and for a 15mm player who wants a French heavy company on the table it saves a great deal of time and money compared with assembling an equivalent force from single kits.
Be realistic about the rating. A single 5 star rating is a single data point, not a track record, and there is essentially no written owner feedback on this listing. The appeal rests entirely on the contents.
What you get and what to watch for
The set contains 11 plastic vehicles and 7 plastic infantry teams, with the miniatures produced in 1/100 or 15mm scale. Everything arrives unassembled and unpainted, so this is a significant build project rather than a gaming night purchase.
That is the real trade-off. Eleven vehicles is generous, but none of them arrive painted, and 15mm assembly means a lot of small parts and a lot of glue. Plan for a weekend of steady work and a decent quantity of paint before the first game.
Who this kit suits and who it does not
Choose this if you play 15mm Flames of War and want a complete French Char B1 bis company rather than a handful of individual tanks. As a subject package it is unmatched in this roundup, because nothing else offers infantry alongside the armour.
Skip it if you build models, since unassembled and unpainted 15mm plastic is a gaming product rather than a display subject, or if you want one tank to build well. For that, the Tamiya 1/35 in position one is the answer.
How to Choose a Char B1 bis Model Kit in 2026
Start with the purpose, because it narrows the field faster than brand or budget. A display model, a 28mm gaming piece and a 15mm company are three completely different purchases, and only one of them is a modelling decision.
Choosing a scale
At 1/35 the Tamiya is the only serious display option in this roundup, and it is the only kit where surface detail, rivets, suspension and workable tracks matter. Expect a long build and a large model.
At 1:56 the Italeri kit gives you the subject in a size that matches an existing 28mm armour shelf, with a much shorter build. Detail is simplified, so it suits a first project or a quick evening, not an up-scaler.
At 28mm the Warlord box is a game piece with a stat card and damage markers, and at 1/100 or 15mm the Flames of War set gives you a whole company. Choose 1/35 if you want to model, 1:56 if you want a small display model, 28mm or 15mm if you want to play.
Styrene, resin and track types
Every kit in this roundup is injection-moulded styrene, which is the easier material to work. Styrene sands, glues and takes paint predictably, and thin parts survive handling better than resin. Resin gives crisper detail but is more brittle, needs thinner glue and demands more care with flash removal.
On tracks, individual link tracks give you the most realistic run and the most work. Tamiya’s pre-cut links on the 1/35 kit are the best example and the slowest to assemble. Rubber band or snap-track systems build far faster and are the right choice for gaming pieces.
Our guides to Lindberg model kits and ISS model kits cover the general tooling and assembly questions that come up with any styrene build, whatever the subject.
Markings, difficulty and build time
Decal quality varies more than any other single feature. The Tamiya 1/35 kit includes markings for four tanks with a two-page full-colour guide, which is a genuine strength, though its decals are described as thick and may need a setting solution. The Warlord set includes a full-colour waterslide sheet and damage markers, and the Italeri kit leaves markings entirely to you.
Read the difficulty rating before you start. The 1/35 kits are rated as advanced with a recommended age of 15 and up, largely because of the non-standard hull construction that demands dry fitting. Small-scale kits are far more forgiving, and the gaming boxes are quick builds by design.
Our Hawk model kit roundup covers the airframe side of the hobby, and the Gneisenau battleship guide goes deep on the static display end of scale modelling. Both apply the same judgement here: what is the model for?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Char B1 bis model kit?
The Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis (35282) is the best overall kit. It has a slide-moulded one-piece upper hull with hex bolt detail, workable individual link tracks and markings for four tanks, and it holds a 4.6 star average from 133 ratings. For 28mm tabletop play the Warlord Games Bolt Action box is the fastest build, and for 15mm company play the Flames of War FRAB03 set gives you 11 vehicles.
Is the Tamiya Char B1 bis kit good for beginners?
Not as a first-ever tank kit. It is rated as an advanced build for ages 15 and up, and the hull is not a standard bathtub design, so parts need dry fitting before cementing. The good fit and flash-free moulding help a lot, and the workable tracks are fiddly and time-consuming. Beginners who want the subject should try the 1:56 Italeri kit first.
What scale Char B1 bis model kit should I buy?
Buy 1/35 for a display model, 1:56 to match an existing 28mm armour shelf, 28mm for Bolt Action: Tank War gaming, and 1/100 or 15mm for Flames of War company play. Larger scales give you suspension, rivets and surface detail to paint, while smaller scales build faster and suit play. Only one 1/35 option exists in the current catalogue.
What is the difference between 1/35 and 1/56 Char B1 bis kits?
A 1/35 kit is roughly 1.6 times larger than a 1/56 kit and carries far more surface detail, workable tracks and a longer build. The Tamiya 1/35 lists a 48 hour assembly time and is rated advanced. The Italeri 1:56 is a smaller, faster, more forgiving build with simplified detail, suited to a first armour kit or a small display shelf.
What tools do I need to build a Char B1 bis model kit?
You need a hobby knife with fresh blades, a cutting mat, plastic cement, a sanding stick or file, tweezers, cement for tracks, and decal setting solution for the Tamiya sheets. A sprue cutter saves time on the Tamiya runners. Brushes, primer and paint are all sold separately, and the Italeri and Warlord boxes both include no tools, glue or paint.
How long does it take to build a Char B1 bis model kit?
The Tamiya 1/35 kit lists an assembly time of 48 hours, and most builders treat that as a two-to-three-week project once painting and detailing are added. The 28mm Warlord piece takes about ten minutes for a quick, clean build. The Italeri 1:56 kit suits an evening. The Flames of War set arrives unassembled with 11 vehicles and 7 infantry teams, so expect a full weekend of work.
Our Verdict on the Best Char B1 bis Model Kits in 2026
The best Char B1 bis model kit is the Tamiya 1/35 Char B1 bis (35282). Nothing else in the catalogue matches its moulding quality, its workable individual link tracks or its four-tank decal option, and at 4.6 stars from 133 ratings it also has the strongest owner feedback of any 1/35 kit here.
Buy the Warlord Games 28mm box to play at 28mm, the Italeri 1:56 kit for a small display model, the Tamiya single-motor box if you want rolling armour, the 35287 box for the German-captured variant, and the Flames of War set for a full 15mm company. Use the guide above to pick the one that matches your bench and your timescale, and check the latest details before you commit.