| Lorraine 40t | |
|---|---|
 Lorraine 40t during testing | |
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Place of origin | France |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 39.7 metric tonnes |
| Length | 10.80 m (35 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, driver, loader/radio) |
|
| |
| Armor | 30-45 mm |
Main armament | 100 mm SA 47 |
Secondary armament | 1 x 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun and 1 x 7.5 mm machine gun on roof |
| Engine |
Maybach HL 295 12VC 850 hp |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 300 km |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
The Lorraine 40t was a prototype French medium tank of the Cold War.
Development[]
After the end of the Second World War, the French Army was in pressing need of a modern tank with heavy armament. In March 1945, French industry was invited to design a tank, which resulted in the AMX-50.
However, it was already obvious in the early 1950s that the AMX-50 tank might turn out to be too heavy due to attempts to improve the gun and armor in response to Soviet tanks such as the IS-3. Thus, in 1950, a 40 tonne medium tank project was started. The Lorraine company built a medium tank prototype based on their earlier Canon D’Assaut Lorraine project.
Description[]
The total weight was limited to 39.7 tonnes.[1] The Lorraine 40t featured a pike nose design similar to the IS-3. It had an oscillating turret like the AMX-50.[2] The Lorraine 40t mounted a 100 mm SA47 gun fed from a drum autoloader similar to that of the AMX-50 project.
The vehicle inherited the Veil Picard pneumatic tires from the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine which helped to reduce weight.[2] The engine used was the Maybach HL 295 12VC engine which gave a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).[2] The Lorraine 40t had a SCR 508 radio for external communications.[3]
The two prototypes were apparently scrapped after the discontinuation of the project.
References[]
- ↑ Jeudy (1997) p. 215
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Lorraine 40t" (in fr). https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/France/lorraine-40t.
- ↑ "1952 LORRAINE 40 tonnes" (in fr). http://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/9-archives/de-1945-1990/700-1952-lorraine-40t.
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The original article can be found at Lorraine 40t and the edit history here.