- Yes
- No
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest a modified FCM 36 equipped with the 37 mm SA38 gun for France’s Ground Forces in War Thunder. I believe the FCM 36 with the SA38 gun would be a welcome addition for newcomers and low-tier enthusiasts, as the SA38 offers significantly better penetration performance compared to the original SA18 37 mm gun, which can be very underwhelming for many players. Fortunately, there is historical precedent for this modification: a single FCM 36 prototype was equipped with the SA38 gun during trials. However, due to structural issues with the turret, further development was halted, and no additional FCM 36s were upgraded with the SA38.
History
The FCM 36 was a light infantry tank designed for the French Army prior to World War II as part of a program to replace the obsolete Renault FT. It featured a crew of two, a short 37 mm SA18 main gun, a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun, and sloped armor, making it the first production tank to incorporate this design feature. Unlike other French tanks of the era, the FCM 36’s armor was almost entirely welded rather than riveted or bolted, making it one of the most innovative but also expensive tanks of its time.
The FCM 36 was designed and developed between 1933 and 1934. The first prototype, with all design defects corrected, was presented for final evaluation in May 1936 and subsequently accepted for production. A total of 100 FCM 36s were produced between May 1938 and February 1939, all armed with the short 37 mm SA18 gun. Further production was halted as FCM shifted focus to manufacturing the Char B1 to meet military quotas, leaving no capacity to produce additional FCM 36s until after September 1940.
Recognizing the obsolescence of the SA18 gun, plans were made to upgrade the FCM 36 with the newer, longer-barreled SA38 gun after the initial batch of 100 tanks. In 1938, one FCM 36 (serial number #30057) was modified to accommodate the SA38 gun. The only significant change was the installation of a new mantlet to support the upgraded gun, which also provided better protection.
During trials, the modified FCM 36 suffered structural failures, including fissures and cracks in the turret welds due to the SA38’s recoil. There are allegations that Renault, a competitor, sabotaged the trials by subjecting the FCM 36 to excessively rigorous stress tests, ensuring it would not secure further contracts. Regardless, the damaged turret required either a replacement (such as the APX-R turret) or a complete redesign to accommodate the SA38 gun. Despite the identical turret ring diameter making replacement feasible, FCM abandoned the project. Meanwhile, competitors like Renault and Hotchkiss successfully adapted their tanks to mount the SA38 gun.
The #30057 FCM 36, along with other FCM 36s, saw action against German forces during the May-June 1940 campaign. On May 14, 1940, the #30057 FCM 36, the prototype equipped with the SA38 gun, was destroyed on the Chemery (Ardennes) road during the Battle of Sedan, marking the end of its service history.
Specifications
FCM.36 (SA38)General Characteristics
- Crew: 2 (commander and driver)
- Dimensions
- Length: 4.46 m (14 ft 8 in)
- Width: 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in)
- Height: 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
- Powertrain
- Engine: V-4 Berliet diesel engine
- 105 hp (77 kW) @ 1,550 rpm
- Transmission: 5 forward, 1 reverse
- Combat Weight: 12.35 tons
- Note: The new gun may slightly increase the overall weight beyond the stated figure, though the effect is likely negligible.
- Performance
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 8.5 hp/ton
- Maximum speed: 24 km/h (15 mph)
Armament & Armor
- Main Gun
- 37 mm SA38 L/33 cannon
- Zoom: 1.9x to 3.5x
- Horizontal guidance: 360°
- Vertical guidance -17 / 20°
- Ammunition: 102 rounds
- Ammunition Types:
- OR Mle1938 (APC)
- OE Mle1938 (HE)
Armor Penetration Chart
- Secondary Guns
- Coaxial 7.5 mm MAC 31 machine gun
- Ammunition: 20 magazines with 150 rounds each (3,000 rounds total)
- Armor
- Hull:
- Front: 40 mm
- Sides: 20 mm
- Rear: 20 mm
- Turret:
- Front: 40 mm
- Sides: 40 mm
- Rear: 40 mm
Images
Given the FCM 36’s struggles with the underperforming SA18 gun, I believe the FCM 36 with the SA38 gun would be a fantastic addition to the French Ground Forces tech tree. It would provide players with a more capable light tank to compete effectively at its battle rating. Additionally, this tank would be beginner-friendly and could be foldered with the original FCM 36 if added to the game.
- https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/france/fcm-36.php
- FCM 36 light tank (1936)
- Tank Archives: FCM36: Ahead of its Time
- FCM 36 - Wikipedia
- Panzerserra Bunker- Military Scale Models in 1/35 scale: Char léger FCM 36 - french light infantry tank - case report