Difference between revisions of "B1 bis"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage_B1bis.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
 
 +
The '''Char de bataille B1 bis''' (Battle tank B1 "repeated") is a Rank II French heavy tank with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. With arguably the best armour at its BR, this tank is a beast in long-range engagements since it is hard to penetrate at distances. While not having the best armament, it should do the job taking care of these dangerous early SPGs and light tanks. The "bis" suffix is a French way of marking a repetition.
 +
 
 +
This tank's mobility won't allow you to position fast enough. Taking time is the only way to get where you want safely. Since this tank is pretty long and narrow, do not engage in cramped spaces since you will not be allowed to manoeuvre as you wish. You reverse speed won't allow you to retreat if things get bad around you, stay behind the frontlines, making good use of your armour.
 +
 
 +
In order to effectively use this tank's armour, there is a few things to consider. First of all, there a '''a lot'' of shot traps, the main ones being the turret ring, the grille on the left side and the hull gun mount, in order to minimize your enemies' chance to hit these weak spots, stay away from them. Second, even if your armour is ''very strong'' for the BR, do not completely rely on it by sitting around in an open field: you will eventually get hit where it hurts. The third thing to consider is your small and thick turret: hide that big clumsy hull behind a hill and pop out only your hard "head", take a shot, fall back, reload, repeat. If something goes wrong (i.e. getting shot in the turret ring), there is usually enough men left to take the job left by their dead "camarade". Do not bother getting spotted: it is your job to stay in the enemies' sights while your lighter teammates do what they ought to. In some situations, it can even be used as a breakthrough tank, rely on your own experience to guess when it is time to do so.
 +
 
 +
With the same gun as most other Rank 2 French tanks, the B1 bis will never be recognized for having a fearsome armament: penetration rates are even lower than most reserve tanks while reload time is twice as long (a known feature of early French tanks). The turreted armament is only good at firing light targets such as SPGs and light tanks. Elevation and depression angles are ''amazing'' but turret slewing rate is a bit slow: this tank has been designed to be hull-down. As for the hull-mounted gun, it should only be used as a close range defence device, as it has poor penetration rates and high drop. Exposing your hull-mounted gun for long range engagements does not only makes you vulnerable, it is also mostly ineffective.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
 +
 
 +
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:''
 +
Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)<br>
 +
Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)'
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 60 mm (7-62°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 60 mm (32-48°) ''Lower glacis'' || 55 mm ''Center'' <br> 55 + 55 mm ''Border'' <br> 15 mm ''Engine grille'' || 25 mm (77°) ''Top'' <br> 50 mm (1°) ''Center'' <br> 55 mm (46°) ''Bottom'' || 25 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 56 mm (0-46°) ''Turret front'' <br> 56 mm (1-85°) ''Gun mantlet'' <br> 56 mm (0-49°) ''Machine gun cover''|| 56 mm (2-19°) || 56 mm (18-19°) <br> 38.1 mm (18°) ''Turret hatch'' || 30 mm
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 48 mm || 30 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
 +
* Turret ring armour is 25-40 mm thick.
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
Due to the extremely heavy frontal armor, one should try to use mobility to flank the B1. However, if that isn't possible, you'll want to try and hit the "mailslot" of the turret ring. It may be a tricky shot, but there's only ~40 mm of armor there. If left flank is exposed, the grille is only 15 mm thick and has a well-placed fuel tank right behind it, turning the B1 into a burning torch, ready to explode.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 32.0 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 29.8 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|28.0 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|396
 +
|___
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|272
 +
|___
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|12.37
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|8.50
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
 +
{{main|SA35 L/17 (75 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[SA35 L/17 (75 mm)|75 mm SA35 L/17]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 74 || -20°/+25° || ±1° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1910M || APHE || 57 || 55 || 52 || 47 || 44 || 37
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1915 || HE || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1910M || APHE || 500 || 6.4 || 1.2 || 25 || 90 || ° || 43° || 30° || 25°
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1915 || HE || 500 || 5.6 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 740 || +0° || 11° || 10° || 9°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== [[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_B1bis.png|right|thumbnail|[[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] of the B1 Bis|350px]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |8th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |9th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |10th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |11th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |12th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |13th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |14th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |15th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''74''' || 68&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 64&nbsp;''(+10)'' || 62&nbsp;''(+12)'' || 60&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 56&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 53&nbsp;''(+21)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+36)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+38)'' || 25&nbsp;''(+49)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+51)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+53)'' || 14&nbsp;''(+60)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+65)'' || 3&nbsp;''(+71)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+73)'' || style="text-align:left" | no
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
<!--''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''-->
 +
{{main|SA35 L/32 (47 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[SA35 L/32 (47 mm)|47 mm SA35 L/32]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 50 || ±18° || ±180° || Vertical
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 5.90 || 8.20 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 5.90 || 7.00 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert Qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace Qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 9.80 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1935 || APC || 69 || 67 || 57 || 48 || 27 || 24
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1935 HE || HE || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1935 || APC || 660 || 1.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || ° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| Mle1935 HE || HE || 590 || 1.4 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 143 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== [[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''50''' || 39&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 27&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 25&nbsp;''(+25)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+27)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+29)''|| 11&nbsp;''(+39)''|| 1&nbsp;''(+49)''|| style="text-align:left" | No
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
 +
{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 5,100 (150) || 1,350 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 +
The Char B1, upon playing it for the first time will be slow in both acceleration, max speed and turret rotation speed. the Hull gun is most likely the most frustrating gun to aim because of the limited firing arc it has. The best way to play the B1 bis is to hold down a position, preferably hull down (as its turret is thick and small, it will ricochet most shots it will take). Playing the B1 bis rightly, there is only 3 ways to get killed:
 +
* Being outflanked by a light tank
 +
* The enemy has been lucky enough to get a shot through a shot trap
 +
* Meeting a ''dangerous'' gun (see [[B1 bis#Specific enemies worth noting|Specific enemies worth noting]])
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Overall good armour
 +
:* Very heavy frontal armor for its rank.
 +
:* Strong turret from the front
 +
:* Good at sidescraping (thick sides)
 +
:* Nearly impenetrable hull when angled
 +
:* Armour is trolly in the driver's port area
 +
* Decent firepower
 +
:* One of the best in-game depression (-18°, turret gun)
 +
:* Has 2 main armaments
 +
:* A rare feature on French tanks: it has APHE ammunition.
 +
:* MAC 31 coaxial MG
 +
:* Turret gun has LOCK, which makes stop-and-shoot tactics effective.
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Armour has many shot traps, easing the ask of killing it
 +
:* Engine grille on left side is a 15 mm weak point, nullifies angling from this side.
 +
:* Fuel tank behind the grille lights up very often when penetrated.
 +
:* Large turret ring is weak (25-40 mm poorly sloped)
 +
:* Hull gun mount is a weak spot and can be penetrated by most guns of the tier.
 +
:* Crew is cramped
 +
:* Turret rear is only 38 mm thick
 +
:* Has a tall and "thin" cupola
 +
:* Literally has an hallway full of ammo in the back
 +
* Guns feel lacking
 +
:* Lacking penetration from both of its guns
 +
:* Abysmal traverse on 75 mm gun (~1° left to right)
 +
:* Slow reload on both guns
 +
:* Only stock ammo choices
 +
:* APHE shell won't detonate when shooting at light targets (25 mm or less armour)
 +
:* Hull gun is hard to master (not beginner-friendly)
 +
* Mobility is subpar
 +
:* Not very mobile due to weight.
 +
:* Slow hull turning rate
 +
:* Reverse speed is low (-3km/h)
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
−
 
 
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
Line 51: Line 375:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{French heavy tanks}}

Revision as of 23:27, 3 November 2018

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
B1 bis
fr_b1_bis.png
B1 bis
France flag.png France
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.3 2.3 2.3
Class:
Research:7 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:10 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

GarageImage B1 bis.jpg

The Char de bataille B1 bis (Battle tank B1 "repeated") is a Rank II French heavy tank with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance". With arguably the best armour at its BR, this tank is a beast in long-range engagements since it is hard to penetrate at distances. While not having the best armament, it should do the job taking care of these dangerous early SPGs and light tanks. The "bis" suffix is a French way of marking a repetition.

This tank's mobility won't allow you to position fast enough. Taking time is the only way to get where you want safely. Since this tank is pretty long and narrow, do not engage in cramped spaces since you will not be allowed to manoeuvre as you wish. You reverse speed won't allow you to retreat if things get bad around you, stay behind the frontlines, making good use of your armour.

In order to effectively use this tank's armour, there is a few things to consider. First of all, there a 'a lot of shot traps, the main ones being the turret ring, the grille on the left side and the hull gun mount, in order to minimize your enemies' chance to hit these weak spots, stay away from them. Second, even if your armour is very strong for the BR, do not completely rely on it by sitting around in an open field: you will eventually get hit where it hurts. The third thing to consider is your small and thick turret: hide that big clumsy hull behind a hill and pop out only your hard "head", take a shot, fall back, reload, repeat. If something goes wrong (i.e. getting shot in the turret ring), there is usually enough men left to take the job left by their dead "camarade". Do not bother getting spotted: it is your job to stay in the enemies' sights while your lighter teammates do what they ought to. In some situations, it can even be used as a breakthrough tank, rely on your own experience to guess when it is time to do so.

With the same gun as most other Rank 2 French tanks, the B1 bis will never be recognized for having a fearsome armament: penetration rates are even lower than most reserve tanks while reload time is twice as long (a known feature of early French tanks). The turreted armament is only good at firing light targets such as SPGs and light tanks. Elevation and depression angles are amazing but turret slewing rate is a bit slow: this tank has been designed to be hull-down. As for the hull-mounted gun, it should only be used as a close range defence device, as it has poor penetration rates and high drop. Exposing your hull-mounted gun for long range engagements does not only makes you vulnerable, it is also mostly ineffective.

General info

Survivability and armour

'Armour type: Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)'

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 60 mm (7-62°) Front glacis
60 mm (32-48°) Lower glacis 		55 mm Center
55 + 55 mm Border
15 mm Engine grille 		25 mm (77°) Top
50 mm (1°) Center
55 mm (46°) Bottom 		25 mm
Turret 56 mm (0-46°) Turret front
56 mm (1-85°) Gun mantlet
56 mm (0-49°) Machine gun cover		 56 mm (2-19°) 56 mm (18-19°)
38.1 mm (18°) Turret hatch 		30 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 48 mm 30 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Turret ring armour is 25-40 mm thick.

Due to the extremely heavy frontal armor, one should try to use mobility to flank the B1. However, if that isn't possible, you'll want to try and hit the "mailslot" of the turret ring. It may be a tricky shot, but there's only ~40 mm of armor there. If left flank is exposed, the grille is only 15 mm thick and has a well-placed fuel tank right behind it, turning the B1 into a burning torch, ready to explode.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
32.0 N/A 29.8 (AB)
28.0 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 396 ___
Realistic/Simulator 272 ___
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 12.37 __.__
Realistic/Simulator 8.50 __.__

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: SA35 L/17 (75 mm)
75 mm SA35 L/17
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
74 -20°/+25° ±1° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Realistic __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
__.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
Mle1910M APHE 57 55 52 47 44 37
Mle1915 HE 11 11 11 11 11 11
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
Mle1910M APHE 500 6.4 1.2 25 90 ° 43° 30° 25°
Mle1915 HE 500 5.6 0.4 0.1 740 +0° 11° 10° 9°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the B1 Bis
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		8th
rack empty 		9th
rack empty 		10th
rack empty 		11th
rack empty 		12th
rack empty 		13th
rack empty 		14th
rack empty 		15th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
74 68 (+6) 64 (+10) 62 (+12) 60 (+14) 56 (+18) 53 (+21) 38 (+36) 36 (+38) 25 (+49) 23 (+51) 21 (+53) 14 (+60) 9 (+65) 3 (+71) 1 (+73) no

Additional armament

Main article: SA35 L/32 (47 mm)
47 mm SA35 L/32
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
50 ±18° ±180° Vertical
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 5.90 8.20 __.__ __.__ __.__
Realistic 5.90 7.00 __.__ __.__ __.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert Qualif. Prior + Ace Qualif.
9.80 _.__ _.__ _.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
Mle1935 APC 69 67 57 48 27 24
Mle1935 HE HE 4 4 4 4 4 4
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
Mle1935 APC 660 1.6 N/A N/A N/A ° 48° 63° 71°
Mle1935 HE HE 590 1.4 0.4 0.1 143 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Ammo racks
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
50 39 (+11) 27 (+23) 25 (+25) 23 (+27) 21 (+29) 11 (+39) 1 (+49) No

Machine guns

Main article: MAC 31 (7.5 mm)
7.5 mm MAC 31
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
5,100 (150) 1,350 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

The Char B1, upon playing it for the first time will be slow in both acceleration, max speed and turret rotation speed. the Hull gun is most likely the most frustrating gun to aim because of the limited firing arc it has. The best way to play the B1 bis is to hold down a position, preferably hull down (as its turret is thick and small, it will ricochet most shots it will take). Playing the B1 bis rightly, there is only 3 ways to get killed:

  • Being outflanked by a light tank
  • The enemy has been lucky enough to get a shot through a shot trap
  • Meeting a dangerous gun (see Specific enemies worth noting)

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Overall good armour
  • Very heavy frontal armor for its rank.
  • Strong turret from the front
  • Good at sidescraping (thick sides)
  • Nearly impenetrable hull when angled
  • Armour is trolly in the driver's port area
  • Decent firepower
  • One of the best in-game depression (-18°, turret gun)
  • Has 2 main armaments
  • A rare feature on French tanks: it has APHE ammunition.
  • MAC 31 coaxial MG
  • Turret gun has LOCK, which makes stop-and-shoot tactics effective.

Cons:

  • Armour has many shot traps, easing the ask of killing it
  • Engine grille on left side is a 15 mm weak point, nullifies angling from this side.
  • Fuel tank behind the grille lights up very often when penetrated.
  • Large turret ring is weak (25-40 mm poorly sloped)
  • Hull gun mount is a weak spot and can be penetrated by most guns of the tier.
  • Crew is cramped
  • Turret rear is only 38 mm thick
  • Has a tall and "thin" cupola
  • Literally has an hallway full of ammo in the back
  • Guns feel lacking
  • Lacking penetration from both of its guns
  • Abysmal traverse on 75 mm gun (~1° left to right)
  • Slow reload on both guns
  • Only stock ammo choices
  • APHE shell won't detonate when shooting at light targets (25 mm or less armour)
  • Hull gun is hard to master (not beginner-friendly)
  • Mobility is subpar
  • Not very mobile due to weight.
  • Slow hull turning rate
  • Reverse speed is low (-3km/h)

History

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

ETC.

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.

Template:French heavy tanks

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