Char B1 - French heavy tank

Char B1 development had started in the late 20s and three prototypes being ready by 1930 which were used in extensive trials and some of its finals specs being defined like the 272 hp Renault 6 cylinders petrol engine capable to reach a top speed of 28 kmh.

The weaponry consists of a 75 mm ABS SA35 howitzer placed in the front hull, the turret accommodates the 47 mm SA 35 AT cannon and a Rebel 7.5 mm machine gun, the total weight reached 28 tons.

The Char B1 production started by 1935, France managed to build 369 of these tanks until 1940, crewed by 4 men (driver, commander, turret gunner, hull gunner).

Not long after the B1 production started many upgrades proposal regarding its anti-tank role were approved  and the tank received the tag "bis" as the Char B1 bis, the improvement consists of the frontal armor increased to 60 mm thick what late proved to be almost impenetrable by any German early tank, the engine was upgraded to a 309 hp Renault V12.

The Char B1 ter stands as the last modification for this tank, featuring a thicker 75 mm sloped side armor and a stronger 350 hp engine.

In combat the Char B1 was slow and almost obsolete but its thick armor has given the German army a really hard time making it the most feared French tank of its time. Most of Char B1 losses were to indirect artillery fire or to airstrike.