French Armor 1919-1945

FMC Char 2C Super Heavy Tank "Normandie", 51st BCL (Heavy Tank Battalion), France 1939. Meng kit.
The Char 2C was the result of specifications laid out in 1917 for a breakthrough heavy tank able to deal with the terrain and enemy guns of trench warfare. It was envisioned that the "Char de Rupture" could cross no-mans-land, enemy trenches and exploit deep into the enemy rear areas. The existing French tanks had short track runs and struggled traversing rough, muddy ground and crossing trenches. The armor on these tanks was thin and easily pierced by heavy MG and light cannons. The Super Heavy Tank needed to resolve these problems.
After 2 prototype models (FMC 1A and 2A) were tested in 1917 plans for the 2C were finalized and approved in the Summer of 1918. By the time production was started, World War I was over. Production numbers were immediately reduced but in 1921 ten Char 2C were delivered.
By WWI standards, the Char 2C was a monster. With 45mm of frontal armor (vs 12mm standard on contemporary British and French tanks) and a 75mm main gun (similar to the Sherman 75mm of WWII) it would have dominated the battlefield. As it was, the Chars 2C's became symbols of French National pride, use for parades and propaganda. With the German invasion in 1940, the French Army decided to move the Char 2C's to Dijon, away from combat. Before the trains could clear the battle areas, they were trapped and the crews scuttled them.
So, the 10 largest operational tanks in history would never fight in battle.
 

FMC Char 2C Super Heavy Tank "Normandie", 51st BCL (Heavy Tank Battalion), France 1939.
The Char 2C was the result of specifications laid out in 1917 for a breakthrough heavy tank able to deal with the terrain and enemy guns of trench warfare. It was envisioned that the "Char de Rupture" could cross no-mans-land, enemy trenches and exploit deep into the enemy rear areas. The existing French tanks had short track runs and struggled traversing rough, muddy ground and crossing trenches. The armor on these tanks was thin and easily pierced by heavy MG and light cannons. The Super Heavy Tank needed to resolve these problems.
After 2 prototype models (FMC 1A and 2A) were tested in 1917 plans for the 2C were finalized and approved in the Summer of 1918. By the time production was started, World War I was over. Production numbers were immediately reduced but in 1921 ten Char 2C were delivered.
By WWI standards, the Char 2C was a monster. With 45mm of frontal armor (vs 12mm standard on contemporary British and French tanks) and a 75mm main gun (similar to the Sherman 75mm of WWII) it would have dominated the battlefield. As it was, the Chars 2C's became symbols of French National pride, use for parades and propaganda. With the German invasion in 1940, the French Army decided to move the Char 2C's to Dijon, away from combat. Before the trains could clear the battle areas, they were trapped and the crews scuttled them.
So, the 10 largest operational tanks in history would never fight in battle.  

FMC Char 2C Super Heavy Tank "Normandie", 51st BCL (Heavy Tank Battalion), France 1939.
The Char 2C was the result of specifications laid out in 1917 for a breakthrough heavy tank able to deal with the terrain and enemy guns of trench warfare. It was envisioned that the "Char de Rupture" could cross no-mans-land, enemy trenches and exploit deep into the enemy rear areas. The existing French tanks had short track runs and struggled traversing rough, muddy ground and crossing trenches. The armor on these tanks was thin and easily pierced by heavy MG and light cannons. The Super Heavy Tank needed to resolve these problems.
After 2 prototype models (FMC 1A and 2A) were tested in 1917 plans for the 2C were finalized and approved in the Summer of 1918. By the time production was started, World War I was over. Production numbers were immediately reduced but in 1921 ten Char 2C were delivered.
By WWI standards, the Char 2C was a monster. With 45mm of frontal armor (vs 12mm standard on contemporary British and French tanks) and a 75mm main gun (similar to the Sherman 75mm of WWII) it would have dominated the battlefield. As it was, the Chars 2C's became symbols of French National pride, use for parades and propaganda. With the German invasion in 1940, the French Army decided to move the Char 2C's to Dijon, away from combat. Before the trains could clear the battle areas, they were trapped and the crews scuttled them.
So, the 10 largest operational tanks in history would never fight in battle.  

FMC Char 2C Super Heavy Tank "Normandie", 51st BCL (Heavy Tank Battalion), France 1939.
The Char 2C was the result of specifications laid out in 1917 for a breakthrough heavy tank able to deal with the terrain and enemy guns of trench warfare. It was envisioned that the "Char de Rupture" could cross no-mans-land, enemy trenches and exploit deep into the enemy rear areas. The existing French tanks had short track runs and struggled traversing rough, muddy ground and crossing trenches. The armor on these tanks was thin and easily pierced by heavy MG and light cannons. The Super Heavy Tank needed to resolve these problems.
After 2 prototype models (FMC 1A and 2A) were tested in 1917 plans for the 2C were finalized and approved in the Summer of 1918. By the time production was started, World War I was over. Production numbers were immediately reduced but in 1921 ten Char 2C were delivered.
By WWI standards, the Char 2C was a monster. With 45mm of frontal armor (vs 12mm standard on contemporary British and French tanks) and a 75mm main gun (similar to the Sherman 75mm of WWII) it would have dominated the battlefield. As it was, the Chars 2C's became symbols of French National pride, use for parades and propaganda. With the German invasion in 1940, the French Army decided to move the Char 2C's to Dijon, away from combat. Before the trains could clear the battle areas, they were trapped and the crews scuttled them.
So, the 10 largest operational tanks in history would never fight in battle.  

Hotchkiss H38 light tank, 25e BCC 1 ere DCR (1st Armored Division), France, May 1940. Bronco Kit

This model represents a remanufactured H35 which has been brought up to H39 standard. The French Army formed 2 Tank Divisions just prior to WWII. These were smaller organizations than the Bristish or German counterparts.  

Hotchkiss H38 light tank, 25e BCC 1 ere DCR (1st Armored Division), France, May 1940. Bronco Kit

This model represents a remanufactured H35 which has been brought up to H39 standard. The French Army formed 2 Tank Divisions just prior to WWII. These were smaller organizations than the Bristish or German counterparts.  

Hotchkiss H38 light tank, 25e BCC 1 ere DCR (1st Armored Division), France, May 1940. Bronco Kit

This model represents a remanufactured H35 which has been brought up to H39 standard. The French Army formed 2 Tank Divisions just prior to WWII. These were smaller organizations than the Bristish or German counterparts.  

Hotchkiss H38 light tank, 25e BCC 1 ere DCR (1st Armored Division), France, May 1940. Bronco Kit

This model represents a remanufactured H35 which has been brought up to H39 standard. The French Army formed 2 Tank Divisions just prior to WWII. These were smaller organizations than the Bristish or German counterparts.  

Hotchkiss H39 light tank, 7th Chasseurs Regiment, France, May 1940. Tamiya Kit.

This model represents a late production (1939-40) with revised hull/engine, upgraded 37 mm gun, and unditching tail. 680 built. 

Hotchkiss H39 light tank, 7th Chasseurs Regiment, France, May 1940. Tamiya Kit.

This model represents a late production (1939-40) with revised hull/engine, upgraded 37 mm gun, and unditching tail. 680 built. 

Hotchkiss H39 light tank, 7th Chasseurs Regiment, France, May 1940. Tamiya Kit.

This model represents a late production (1939-40) with revised hull/engine, upgraded 37 mm gun, and unditching tail. 680 built. 

Hotchkiss H39 light tank, 7th Chasseurs Regiment, France, May 1940. Tamiya Kit.

This model represents a late production (1939-40) with revised hull/engine, upgraded 37 mm gun, and unditching tail. 680 built. 

Char B1 BIS battle tank "Bourrasque", 15th Combat Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, France 1940. Tamiya Kit
 

Char B1 BIS battle tank "Bourrasque", 15th Combat Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, France 1940. Tamiya Kit 

Char B1 BIS battle tank "Bourrasque", 15th Combat Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, France 1940. Tamiya Kit 

Char B1 BIS battle tank "Bourrasque", 15th Combat Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, France 1940. Tamiya Kit 

 

 

 

M4A3 76mm, Free French 2nd Armored Division, Dompaire, France, September 1944. Zvezda Kit.

This is an example of an initial production M4A3 76mm of which the Free French Army was issued in August 1944.  

M4A3 76mm, Free French 2nd Armored Division, Dompaire, France, September 1944. Zvezda Kit.

This is an example of an initial production M4A3 76mm of which the Free French Army was issued in August 1944.  

M4A3 76mm, Free French 2nd Armored Division, Dompaire, France, September 1944. Zvezda Kit.

This is an example of an initial production M4A3 76mm of which the Free French Army was issued in August 1944.  

M4A3 76mm, Free French 2nd Armored Division, Dompaire, France, September 1944. Zvezda Kit.

This is an example of an initial production M4A3 76mm of which the Free French Army was issued in August 1944.  

Tamiya M5A1. AFV Club decals. Free French 1st Armored Div. Chasseurs d'Afrique. Germany, April 1945 

new paint and decals on an old build. Resin 105mm turret on terrible old Italeri M4A3 hull. Star decals for Free French 2nd Armored., Germany 1945. 

M4A3 75mm, Free French 1st Armored Div. Chasseurs d'Afrique, Germany, April 1945. Tamiya kit with DML low bustle turret, Star decals. Wet stowage hull with a re-manufactured early low bustle turret with loaders hatch and late commander's cupola added. 

M4A3 75mm, Free French 1st Armored Div. Chasseurs d'Afrique, Germany, April 1945. Tamiya kit with DML low bustle turret, Star decals. Wet stowage hull with a re-manufactured early low bustle turret with loaders hatch and late commander's cupola added.