I only have "French Tanks of World War One" as a reference, and it mentions that the original Schneiders were all modified after their failed initial battle. Question: Which specific version does the Hobbyboss kit entail? I'm currently building the wheels and suspensions, and ouch! the tracks are going to be a nuisance to assemble!
Also the side vision ports are molded shut, which I suppose to mean that to be realistic, it can only be assembled for a cold weather scenario, for tankers generally kept said ports whenever possible due to ventilation being absolutely necessary for the crew.
"their failed initial battle" It's not what Général Pétain wrote in his report about Juvincourt
Report n° 1454 / GQG des Armées du Nord et du Nord/est/EM/3° Bureau du 2 Juin 1917 (Archives de Vincennes or Fond Jules Louis Breton A.N. de Pierrefitte-sur-Seine).
About 30 Schneider from Groupement Bossut were fighting behind German third line, until 5 km inside the German linies . . . .
After this first fight, the left door was open and petrol tanks were installed on the rear.
Schneider M1 - The first Hobby Boss model (fighting in Juvincourt) is called "Schneider CA" on the box (Item n° 83861)
Schneider M2 - The modified Schneider is called "Schneider CA - Armored" on the box (Item n° 83862)
For the tracks, you could also used the Blast kit n° BL35219K
Ventilation of the tank was done by the top (Parts number A 10 from these kits) named the "lanterneau" in french.
The large vision ports was closed during fights and they were not used for ventilation of the tank.
It is not a problem of cold, or hot weather scenario, but a security fight reason and you can open it, if you want, for and other kind of scenario . . . . .
Ironically, in some ways the first French tanks were more advanced than the rhomboids! And it seems that the commander had to stick his head out to see anything. I guess I'll need a figure. My plan was to have this tank head toward the battle area, but not be in it yet.
My kit is the first version, 83861, so it will be one serving in the earliest battle, when French tanks were a novelty. Fine for my purpose though.
-- Edited by Long Tom on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 12:17:08 AM