Known as the Mosquito. One of the most successful of all World War 1 tanks and probably the most popular and versitle light tank in history. It was the first of the classic tank design which featured a turret with a 360-degree traverse. Over 3000 were built during the war alone. The main drawback was the design took in little thought for maintenance and repair and the tanks broke down often as a result. The FT-17 was often used in mass attacks. 480 were used in the counterattack near Soissons in July 1918 alone. This tank remained in service right up to 1944 when the Germans used them in the street fighting in Paris. An interesting bit of information: The American army's first run in with an enemy tank in WW2, during the landings in North Africa, was against this one. French Vichy forces, reacting to the invasion, advanced with infantry and 7 Renault FT-17's against 3 American Stuart light tanks (under General George Patton). The encounter left 3 FT-17's destroyed and caused the French to withdraw. The Stuart's never suffered a single hit. Pictures: Top Row - FT17, FT18 (in color), FT18. Second Row - FT18 (distinguished by the cast turret), command radio version (TSF). Third Row - The char demineur - one of the earliest minesweeping tanks, char canon BS - a 75mm version which was encountered by the Allies after D-Day, char projecteur - a searchlight variant for police use, char fascine - an adaptation of the FT18 with a front cradle for carrying fascines which could be dropped into wide trenches. Bottom Row - French tankers assemble in Somaliland, Africa in 1940.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
H38, char leger 1938 model H serie d, was the infantry designation for Hotchkiss H-39 tank. H39, char leger modele 1935 H modifie 1939, was the cavalry designation for Hotchkiss H-39 tank..Both H-38 and H-39 could have short or longer 37mm gun.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
The R-35 was the most numerous of French light infantry tanks in service in 1940 with over 1600 units completed. In 1933 the French High Command called for the design of a 6 ton tank as a replacement for the aging Renault FT-17. The vehicle was designed to have a crew of two and to be armed with one or two 7.5mm machine-guns or a 37mm gun. Manufactures that took part in design process were Renault, Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée (FCM), Compagnie Général de Construction des Locomotives and Delaunay Belleville. The first prototype was manufactured by Renault at the end of 1934 and was based upon the Auto-mitrailleuse de Reconnaissance 1935 Type ZT. The vehicle was called the Renault ZM (prior to acceptance) and immediately sent into trials in the winter of 1935. By Spring, an order for 300 was placed. The tank was now called char léger modéle 1935-R (R-35. A variation of the R-35 was developed by Atelier de Construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) which introduced a new suspension that consisted of 12 pairs of small road-wheels on each side mounted in pairs, vertical coil springs, and protective skirting plates. The tracks were like the Char B1. This vehicle mounted the long barreled 3.7cm SA 38 L/33 cannon. It was officially referred to as the AMX 40, but generally became known as the R-40. The sometimes seen designator of R-39 seems to have been a semi-official designation. The Renault R35 better French tanks of WW2. Over 1600 had been built by 1940. Following the battle of, and fall of France many were pressed into service in the German Wehrmacht. This tank would see action in the Balkans and Russia in 1941.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
The Renault R-40 Light Tank, details as for the R-35, except main armament is a long barreled 37mm gun. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Derived from the Renault R-40 design. Only one prototype was ready in 1940. |
||||||||||||||||||||
AMR 33 (Auto-mitrailleuse de Reconnaissance Renault, model 1933) Light Tank. aka Renault type VM. Armed with a single rifle caliber machine gun, was noteworthy as being fast on a road and having good cross country performance.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
AMR 35 (Auto-mitrailleuse de Reconnaissance Renault, model 1935) Light Tank. aka Renault type ZT. Armed with a either a 7.5mm M.31 MG or a 13.2mm Hotchkiss MG or a 25mm Hotchkiss AT gun. A little slower than the AMR 33, the 35 was more comfortable for the crew. 200 were built.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
See the American section for details. |
||||||||||||||||||||
See the American section for details. |
||||||||||||||||||||
See the American section for details. |
|
|
Last Update: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 |
|
AMR33.jpg)
