- Yes
- No
TL;DR: A different prototype of the Lorraine-based 155mm SPG to the one in-game, with a different casemate design
History
Following the end of WWII, France began development of a number of different tank designs to replace captured German Panthers and the rapidly-obsolete ARL-44. While Atelier de Construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) was developing the AMX M4 (later named AMX 50), Lorraine was developing an 90mm-armed SPG. In 1950, construction began on a prototype, named Canon D’Assaut Lorraine (CDA Lorraine). It utilised a novel suspension system, with pneumatic air tires instead of traditional steel roadwheels, along with torsion bar suspension and hydraulic shock absorbers.
- Canon D’Assaut Lorraine prototype
Around the same time, Lorraine began construction of a 155mm-armed SPG that used the same suspension system as the CDA Lorraine. While sources online say that only two prototypes were constructed, it appears five were actually built, based on archival sources. There were two main designs: one with a central casemate and one with a forward-facing one. Prototypes 1 and 2 differed only very slightly, and featured the centrally-mounted casemate, and are known more commonly as the Lorraine 155 modèle 1950. Prototype 5 had the forward-mounted casemate — the exact details of what prototype 3 and 4 were is unclear. This vehicle is commonly referred to as Lorraine 155 modèle 1951. The original vehicle(s) had Talbot engines, but these were replaced with a more powerful Maybach engine (it could be that 2 of the 5 prototypes were just two of the original vehicles with the new engine, thus meaning only 2 or 3 vehicles were actually built, but this is just my guess). In the archives, the vehicle is known just as Obusier de 155, but I’ll refer to it as Lorraine 155 (mle. 51) to be consistent with the game and what is known online.
In 1954, studies were underway to look at the possibility of fitting the Lorraine 155 with a turret instead of a casemate, but these did not progress far. In 1955, the whole project was cancelled in favour of the more promising Batignolles-Chatillon 155mm SPG. This too would end up cancelled after a single prototype was constructed and tested.
-
- Lorraine 155 mle. 50 prototype 1; 2. Batignolles-Chatillon 155mm prototype
Characteristics
The Lorraine 155 mle. 51 is fitted with a 155mm Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50 howitzer. It can fire HE and smoke rounds — M107 HE, present on the Lorraine 155 mle. 50, penetrates 61mm of armour and has 9.1kg of TNT equivalent. It could also fire the French OE 155 56/69 HE round, with 11.8kg of TNT equivalent, although this round entered service after the construction of the prototype. The vehicle carries 28 rounds. The cannon has a rate of fire of around 3 rpm (20 seconds). The cannon can elevate -5°/+67°, and traverse 20° left and right. Although a 20mm autocannon, as on the earlier prototypes, was planned, it appears to never have been fitted.
The vehicle is thinly armoured, with 16mm across the front and sides, and 10–12mm across the rear and roof. It has a combat weight of 30.3t. It uses a Maybach HL230 engine providing 655hp. This gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of 21.6hp/t. It has a top speed of 62km/h.
- The remains of the prototype
Conclusion
The Lorraine 155 mle. 51 would be a perfect tech-tree counterpart to the event (and quite rare) Lorraine 155 mle. 50. It would likely go at the same BR of 4.3, despite the lack of an autocannon, following on from the M44.
Specifications
Armament
- 155mm L’Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950
- Unstabilised
- 28 rounds
- M107 HE
- 61mm at 0° at 10m
- OE 155 56/69 HE
- ~65mm at 0° at 10m
- M110 Smoke
Armour
- Hull
- 16 / 16 / 10–12mm
Mobility
- Speed
- 62km/h
- Weight
- 30.3t
- Engine power
- 655hp, 21.6hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 4
Images
Spoiler
Sources
