AMX 40
| AMX 40 | |
|---|---|
 AMX 40 Blueprint | |
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Place of origin | France |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 20 metric tonnes |
| Length | 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Height | 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in) |
| Crew | 3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader) |
| Armor | 60mm hull front
50-30mm hull side 40mm hull rear |
Main armament | 1x 47 mm SA35 gun |
Secondary armament | 1 x 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun and 1 x 7.5 mm anti-aircraft machine gun |
| Engine | 160 hp |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
The AMX 40 was a prototype French medium tank.
History
After the start of World War II, development of the AMX 40 commenced in March 1940 by Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux. The AMX 40 was a medium cavalry tank, planned to be a successor to the SOMUA S35 and Somua S40.[1]
Description
The AMX 40 was an avant-garde tank of its generation. The hull and turret armor is oblique and has almost no straight angles. The tank was manned by a crew of 3.[1]
Turret
The turret was elliptical in shape which bears similarities to the turrets of the T-54/T-55 tanks. There is a circular hatch of 60cm in diameter at the back of the turret for entry. The turret has 2 openings for the range finders. The turret was to house 2 people.
There was no vision slit for the AMX 40’s turret. Vision was achieved by a panoramic periscope located on the top of the turret.[1]
Hull
The hull had curved armor everywhere which increases the armor protection of the tank. [1]
Armament
The main armament of the AMX 40 is a 47 mm SA35 gun. Ammunition was 156 rounds. Ammunition is stored in the turret, in rotary and tilting compartments for easy access to the ammunition.
Secondary armament includes two 7.5mm machine guns. One of them is a coaxial machine gun. The other machine gun was mounted in a ball joint behind the turret and used for anti-aircraft defence. Ammunition was 30 magazines. [1]
Engine
The AMX 40 was supposed to use a 160 hp diesel engine, which was noticeably less than the SOMUA S35 (190 hp) and Souma S40 (220 hp), despite the fact that the weight was close to the SOMUA S35.
The choice of diesel fuel significantly increased safety by preventing ignition at room temperature.[1]
Chassis
The chassis had 4 road wheels of 82cm in diameter, 2 drive wheels and 2 guide wheels on each side. There were no return rollers. The wheels were protected by side armor. The two rear wheels on each side are also powered, allowing the tank to move in the event of a broken track.[1]
Communications
The AMX 40 was to be equipped with a radio.[2]
Development
The AMX 40 was to replace the obsolete SOMUA S35 and Somua S40 tanks. However, in July 1940, design was discontinued after the Fall of France.[1][3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "1940 AMX 40 MEDIUM TANK" (in français). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
- ↑ "AMX 40". Retrieved 2020-02-28.
- ↑ "AMX 40 Medium Tank". Retrieved 2020-02-28.
