FCM 1936

Built by the Forges de la Mediterranne (FCM) in conjunction with Automobiles M Berliet (which produced the engine, the FCM began production in 1936 to help increase the number of tanks equipping French infantry support units. As such it was in the broad specification as the more widely used Renault R35 but the FCM 36 had some unusual features for French tanks of its time and some of these were in advance of developments elsewhere.

Of fairly conventional general layout, the FCM 36 had the engine at the rear, driving rear sprockets, but it was uncommon in that the engine was a diesel. This engine gave the FCM 36 a range of 225km, much greater than most contemporary tanks in the French Army.

The armour protection was to the 40mm standard required of French infantry support tanks of this period, but another unusual feature for the time was that both hull and turret used welded construction of angled plates. The angles of most plates were well thought out and the flat surfaces were able to offer the same sort of protection as the rounded cast armour used in the Renault R35 for example.

The Rhineland crisis of 26 May 1936 solicited a hasty order for 100 vehicles of the Char léger Modèle 1936 FCM for 450,000 FF a piece. The production vehicles were equipped with a 37mm gun, in this case the same SA18 as on the Renault R35 and Hotchkiss H35. The Hotchkiss H35 and Renault R35 would also be taken into production; as these competing types were a lot cheaper they would constitute the bulk of the French light infantry tanks produced. The reason to coproduce the more expensive FCM 36 as a third type was its development potential: the FCM 36 was seen as the most advanced French tank and it was thought that it could serve as a test bed for further improvements. This also meant there was no hurry to start series production. The production facilities only began to be prepared from December 1936 and actual manufacture was delayed for a year to first test a newer design with a stronger engine and a lighter track. Only when this didn't render the expected results, the original type was produced with the first delivery on 2 May 1938. During 1938 and 1939 several modifications were tested on vehicle number 30,057 including a new track, clutch and engine, but none of these would be applied on the existing vehicles.

On 12 May 1938 and 3 February 1939 two additional orders were made of a hundred each. However, when the last tank, series number 30,100, of the original order was delivered on 13 March 1939, FCM suddenly announced that it would permanently cease production unless the price was raised to at least 900,000 FF, apparently the true cost of production. Also FCM indicated that given its increased demanded production quota of the Char B1, there simply would be no capacity to manufacture any FCM 36s before September 1940. In view of these circumstances Inspector-General Jacomet allowed the production of the hull to be discontinued. The FCM turret however had already been planned to become the standard for all light tanks, as the old standard APX R in the beginning suffered from serious production delays; when these eased an earlier proposal to have it replaced after number 1350 was postponed; but it was still considered to cease production after number 2000 as the APX R was heavier (1,552 to 1,287 kg) and yet inferior in protection to the FCM turret because of constant quality problems with its cast steel that was either too soft or too brittle. However, this issue was complicated by the planned introduction of the longer 37 mm gun as tests showed that the welds of the FCM type had to be reinforced to prevent them from cracking by the stronger recoil; as a result the existing vehicles would not be fitted with the new gun. In the end only 100 FCM 36s were produced, equipping the 4th and 7th Tank Battalions.

Characteristics and Tabulated Data FCM 36

Engine: Berliet Diesel (Ricardo licence), 4 cylinder, bore/stroke 130 x 160mm, 8,495cc producing 91hp

Gearbox: 4 and reverse

Max speed: 24kph

Range: 225km

Petrol capacity: 217l

All up weight: 12,350kg

Crew: 2 commander/gunner in turret, driver/mechanic in hull

Armament: Turret. coaxial SA 37mm gun Model 1918 with 102 rounds and 7.5mm MAC 31 machine gun with 3,000 rounds

Width of vehicle: 2.14m

Length: 4.46m

Height: 2.20m

FCM 36 Characteristics for Command Decision

FCM 36 Companies 10 May 1940

Organisation of the Tank Company Type 1935 Compagnie de Chars de Combat (Type 1935) December 1939

Example FCM 36 Organisation for Command Decision

Wargame Usage and Model availability

With only 100 built, and equipping only two tank battalions, this is another fairly rare tank in France in 1940. What makes things interesting, and of value to wargamers, is that the two battalions were involved in the counter-attacks against Guderian's bridgehead at Sedan and later in the initial actions at Stonne. Neither actions went particularly well for the French but there can be no denying the courage of the French tankers.

I suspect because the vehicle hull was later used as the basis for some German self-propelled guns, the vehicle is available from several manufacturers in 20mm:

Early War Miniatures: http://earlywarminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=237_243&products_id=1525

Wespe Models: http://www.wespemodels.ro/fcm_36_wes_72023?search=fcm

Modeltrans: http://smallscalemania.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/fcm-36-modelltrans-172.html

Reviresco: http://www.exclusiveone.com/p/d/615582850