FCM Char 2C, Char 2C, Char 2C (FCM-2C) heavy tank
Photos
Char 2C heavy tank: |
Char 2C heavy tank: |
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Char 2C heavy tank: |
Design
During 1917 to 1918 the Char 2C was designed to be a "breakthrough tank."5 During World War I two heavy tank prototypes were constructed that weighed about 40 tons.4 Additional development proceeded and created a 70 ton tank, the Char 2C.4
The last of 10 Char 2Cs was delivered in 1922.4
The power plant was setup so that one engine drove each track.4
Prototype
Production
In February 1918 an order for 300 was placed but only 10 were finished.5
- Char 2C: 104,5
- Production: 1919 - 19215
Variants
- Char 2C / FCM-2C:
- Char 2C-bis:
Usage
By 1940 there were only eight operational.5 They were being transported by train and were captured or destroyed by air attack.4
Specifications
| Char 2C, Char 2C (FCM-2C)5 | Char 2C-bis | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | 121,2,4,5 | |
| Radio | ER535 | |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 69,000 kg1,4 67.9 tons1,4,5, 68 tons2,3 |
|
| Length w/gun | 33' 8"1,4,5, 33.66'2 10.26 m4,5, 10.27 m1 |
|
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 13' 1"4,5, 13' 1.5"1, 13.17'2 4 m1,4,5 |
|
| Width | 9' 8"1,4,5, 9.66'2 2.95 m1,4,5 |
|
| Width over tracks | ||
| Ground clearance | ||
| Ground contact length | ||
| Ground pressure (psi) | ||
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 1: 75 mm1,2,4,5 | 155 mm2 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 4: 8 mm MGs4 | 4: 8 mm MG2 |
| MG - hull | 1: 8 mm MG2 1: 8 mm Hotchkiss MG5 |
|
| MG - hull side | 2: 8 mm MG2 2: 8 mm Hotchkiss MG5 |
|
| MG - rear turret | 1: 8 mm MG2 1: 8mm Hotchkiss MG5 |
|
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | ||
| Secondary | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 451,2,4 | |
| Hull Front, Upper | ||
| Hull Front, Lower | ||
| Hull Sides, Upper | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | ||
| Hull Rear | ||
| Hull Top | ||
| Hull Bottom | ||
| Turret Front | ||
| Turret Sides | ||
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | 2: Daimler1,4 2: Mercedes2 |
2: Sautter-Harlé2 |
| OR | 2: Maybach1,4,5 | |
| Bore / stroke | ||
| Cooling | Water2 | |
| Cylinders | 61,2,4,5 | |
| Capacity | ||
| Net HP | 5201,4, 2: 1802, 2: 2505 | 2: 2502 |
| Power to weight ratio | ||
| Compression ratio | ||
| Transmission (Type) | ||
| Steering | ||
| Steering ratio | ||
| Starter | ||
| Electrical system | ||
| Ignition | ||
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline1,2,5 | Gasoline2 |
| Octane | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Road consumption | ||
| Cross country consumption | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | ||
| Speed - Road | 7.45 mph1, 7.5 mph4,5 12 kph4,5 |
|
| Speed - Cross Country | ||
| Range - Road | 62 miles5, 62.1 miles1,4 100 km4,5 |
|
| Range - Cross Country | ||
| Turning radius | ||
| Elevation limits | ||
| Fording depth | ||
| Trench crossing | ||
| Vertical obstacle | ||
| Climbing ability | ||
| Suspension (Type) | ||
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Tracks (Type) | ||
| Length | ||
| Width | ||
| Diameter | ||
| Number of links | ||
| Pitch | ||
| Tire tread | ||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
- Western Allied Tanks 1939-45, David Porter, 2009
