Hello, I am looking for more information on the Char A ,Designed as a break through tank in 1916, Here is what I have thus far: “By July 1916, a team headed by Messrs Jammy and Savatier undertook studies for a heavy "break-through" tank, or Char Lourd. The FCM establishment of La Seyne, near Toulon, was selected to undertake building the tank. A pilot model was ordered on 20 December 1916. Two alternative types of transmission werre planned, mechanical, and electric. The pilot model was not ready until December 1917. On trials the tank performed well, but turning was difficult.”
I have a picture of the vehicle, and a picture of the wooden mock up, and very little information. Any help would be appreciated.
No pictures, but an amusing account of the farcical origins of the French heavy tank. However, if you click on 'Discussion', you may be able to contact people who appear to know about French tank history, and so may have info on this interesting vehicle.
That's the FCM 2C, of which ten were built. The Char 1A was a prototype, from which the 2C was developed. The 1A is this machine, which is the picture I suspect Tim already has:
The guy who runs it clearly has a lot of material on French AFVs, and he obviously speaks (or, at least, reads and writes in) English! He's also a damn good model maker, check out his FCM F1 superheavy tank: http://www.chars-francais.net/maquettes/fcm_f1.htm