Reference, Editions du Barbotin Focus No.4, Char B1 Bis

EDITIONS DU BARBOTIN

Focus No.4, Char B1 Bis. By Pascal Danjou, with illustrations by Eric Schwartz. Soft covers, 6.75 x 9.5-inches, 50 pages. Contains 16 B&W and 142 color photos, three pages of color plates, two pages of charts, specification table, and bibliography. ISBN 978-2-917661-05-5.

The latest release from these specialists in French armor continues the Focus series, in this case with coverage of the premier French tank of the Second World War, the Char B1 Bis. This book is meant to compliment the previous (and, unfortunately, out-of-print) work by this team, No.3 in the Trackstory series, Les Chars B.

In the format now associated with this series, the book is presented with full French and English text and captions, while it is divided into two main sections. One section includes a basic technical and historic description, to include archival images. The second section contains color photographs of preserved examples; in this case, two slightly different vehicles held by the renowned French collection at the Musée des Blindé at Saumur.

The text in the first segment is concise, yet informative. Several of the archival images are seen in the Trackstory book on the subject, but there are a number of interesting new images some of which compliment those previously seen. It should also be noted that the chart in the original book, which had the known names and hull numbers seen on these tanks has been expanded and updated. So, if the modeler is fortunate enough to have the Trackstory title on the Char B, it is still quite worthwhile to get this one as well.

The greater part of this book contains high-quality full-color images of two different Chars B1s, both of which were used by the Germans; each has several of their modifications. One has the original commanders cupola, while the second wears a cut-down type with split hatch lids as introduced in German service. Both are also missing a number of fittings, but this does not detract substantially from their use as visual records of the tanks appearance. In true walk-around fashion all of the salient exterior features are pictured in excellent detail. Where practicable, hatch lids and access panels have been opened up, providing even more details. Of particular note are the more than two-dozen images of the interior, including the fighting compartment and turret; however, there are only two partial shots of engine details.

Unfortunately, there are virtually no captions describing what the images depict, save for a general title at the head of each page. This reviewer finds this to be a common approach not only by this publisher, but others as well, so Editions du Barbotin should not be singled-out in that regard. Nevertheless, more information is always a better thing, especially for those who wish to understand what a particular gadget actually did.

As mentioned, there is a revised chart detailing the hull numbers and names of in-service tanks; this will be quite helpful to those wishing to mark a particular tank. Three pages of color plates depict the same tank, Bourgueil of the 49e BCC; one set is in 1/35th-scale, while the second is in 1/72nd-scale. They are well-rendered by Mr. Schwartz and are backed-up by an archival image of the tank in question; they can be used with confidence by the modeler. Technical specifications and a brief bibliography complete the title.

Those who have any interest in this most famous of Frances WW II tanks would do well to snap up this title immediately, as these books are printed in limited quantities and sell-out quite rapidly.

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

Focus publications are available direct from the publisher at: www.minitracks.fr.

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