Retrokits 1/72 - Schneider CA.1 First Type
- CA.1 First Type Uparmoured
- CA.1 Second Type

The development of trench warfare on the Western Front in 1914-15 prompted the invention in France, as in England, of devices to overcome machine­guns and barbed wire. In January 1915 the armaments firm of Schneider et Cie of Le Creusot obtained two versions of the successful American track­laying Holt tractor, and the firm were encouraged to prepare designs for an armed and armoured version of that vehicle.

An official order for ten machines was given to Schneider on 15 December 1915. Two prototype Schneider machines were demonstrated at Vincennes on 21 February 1916. Both did well in crossing trenches and barbed wire, and 400 of similar type were ordered on 25 February.

The first batch of vehicles were delivered in September 1916. The Schneider tank consisted, essentially, of an armoured box with a pointed nose placed on a lengthened Holt Caterpillar chassis. The maximum speed attainable was 5 m.p.h. One short 75-mm. gun was fitted in a sponson on the right­hand side of the hull with one Hotchkiss machinegun further back on the same side and one Hotchkiss machinegun in the middle of the hull on the other side. Six men made up the crew, the officer in command being also the driver.

It was first used in combat in an attack outside Barry au Bac, on the Aisne River, on the 16th of April 1917 . The approach to the jumping-off positions was done in broad day-light, in full view of the German Artillery, who greeted the slow moving column with showers of shells, inflicting heavy casualties on the AFV:s.

Faults which became apparent in the Schneider tanks included poor ventilation and vision arrangements and inadequate armour, danger in action of fire in the internal petrol tanks and lack of egress on the left-hand side. A number of changes were ordered. Despite these changes the tank still proved both unsuccessful and quite unpopular with the crews. Production was slowed down to a trickle, and many surviving CA 1:s were converted to unarmed Supply Tanks.

For more info on this tank, including detail photos of the Worlds only surviving specimen, click here!
 

As these three kits are essentially variations of the same theme (and, I guess, the same master) with only small variations inbetween them, the decision has been made to review them all together. Many comments are common to all kits, and can be found here.

So: all three kits comes well packed in their own card-board boxes, of that new type that Retrokits use now. They are all bubble-wrapped and some fragile parts also come in their own zip-pock bag. Each kit includes a set of simple but wholly adequte plans, a sheet with historical info, plus a sheet with notes on how to work with resin.

All three kits are moulded all in a hard, medium-grey resin. The moulding is excellent, with just a minimum of flash and no air bubbles. The pour stubs are small, and easily removed.

The accuracy of these kit is first rate. Especially the complex shape of the front of this tank has been well captured. They have even made a couple of pretty good Hotchkiss MG barrels. (And, for instance, the barrel of the howitzer is hollowed out.) Construction of all three kits is simple, neither kit being very complex. The three main parts are the hull and the two drive assemblies. The top hatches can all be set in either open or shut position. (I know that some modellers really appreciate this.) You should actually be able to complete these kit in a sitting or two, and still end up with a top-notch model!

You can get this kit from Retrokit themselves, from 7th Company or from Tracks & Troops.
 

Contents of the kit:

Click on the photos for an enlarged version! 

This kit portrays the first, original version of the CA.1: the one that was used in the April 1917 battles.

The kit consists of some 18 parts, as mentioned above well moulded and sharply defined.

The detail work is fine. My only complaint perhaps being the rivets - an old pet subject of mine. On many old kits from these master builders they have been a bit vague and a bit too big. The rivets here are a real improvement compared to this old kit of the Schneider (made by Retromodels), being both small and well aligned, but there is still some minute variation in size. However, this will probably not be too prominent once painted.

A very nice kit indeed!

Contents of the kit:

Click on the photos for an enlarged version! 

As mentioned above, after the first disastrous debut of the CA.1 the French Army made attempts to quickly improve the survivability of the tank. In order to do this 5.2mm armour plates were added to the front and front sides. In all other aspects, it was identical to the first model.

This kit consists of some 23 parts, all well moulded, and just small amounts of flash. It comes with some new parts compared with the model of the first type, namely new exhaust types, two unditching beams and a separate nose barbed wire cutting device - to prevent it getting broken in the box. The applique armour is well portrayed, with a very small gap between the applique sheets and the body - as in the real tank.

This plan will give you a good idea of the break-down of this first-rate kit!
 

Contents of the kit:

Click on the photos for an enlarged version! 

The second type of the CA.1 was a result of some serious re-design efforts. The most visible result was the moving of the petrol tanks, from their position high up on the sides, to special, better protected compartments on the rear of the tank - framing the rear doors with something looking like big boxes, and eliminating the "step" on the rear of the first model. It was a small improvement, but the tank was still pretty much a dud.

The kit of this, the last type of the CA.1, consists of some 22 parts, again all well moulded, with almost no flash. Check this plan to see how this very fine kit is engineered.

As with the other two kits the accuracy of this one is excellent. When you have put together this easily assembled kit, you will have a first-rate replica of this, the worst tank of WW1!

This kit can also be used for a simple conversion project: namely doing a CA.1 Char de ravitaillement, i.e. supply tank. A number of CA.1 were taken out of their combat service, had their MG's removed, the howitzer taken out, and a door put in its place. See the photo on the left.
 

For a long time there has been no model available of this important WW1 AFV. Now the void has finally been filled with no less than thrre very fine kits. They are accurate, finely detailed and excellently moulded. Very highly recommended!