The Skink anti-aircraft tank was a Canadian self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, developed in 1943–44, for the First Canadian Army. The chassis was based on a Grizzly I cruiser tank (a Canadian manufactured M4A1 Sherman tank). The cast turret held four 20mm cannon. Initially these were 20mm Hispano-Suiza cannons, which were later replaced by 20 mm Polsten (a simplified version of the Oerlikon cannon).
A prototype was sent to Europe where from 6 February to 11 March 1945, it was evaluated by all but one of the Canadian armoured regiments. Although they found it useful in an anti-personnel role, it did not engage any Luftwaffe aircraft.
With a diminishing of its role with the destruction of the Luftwaffe in north-west Europe, the project was cancelled.
Skink Anti-Aircraft Tank Prototype with wooden mock-up turretSkink Anti-Aircraft Tank sent to the UK for trialsSkink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink armed with Polsten guns.Skink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink Anti-Aircraft TankSkink Anti-Aircraft TankThe wooden mockup of the Skink’s turret including the turret basketWelded turret and Hispano-Suiza 20mm guns of the SkinkCast turret but still has Hispano-Suiza 20mm guns
The Lorraine 40t was a French medium tank designed to replace the AMX-50 then in development. The AMX-50 project became too heavy once changes were incorporated to increase armour and gun size to combat the IS-3. As a result the Lorraine 40t had thinner armour and rubber road wheels.
Armament consisted of a 100mm gun in an oscillating turret with a 50 round magazine.
Two prototypes were completed in 1952, with evaluations being undertaken until 1954. Once American M47 Patton tanks became available, interest in both the AMX-50 and 40t decreased and the two prototypes were scrapped.
The FCM 36 was a light infantry tank that was designed for the French Army prior to World War II. It had a crew of two and was equipped with a short 37 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun. At the outbreak of the Invasion of France, 90 FCM 36 tanks were available in two battalions of 45 each. The German Wehrmacht captured about 50 of this series; 12 were rebuilt in 1942 as self-propelled artillery, and in 1943, ten were rebuilt as Marder I tank destroyers. Although relatively unknown, the FCM 36 was one of the French Army’s light tanks used during the battles of May and June 1940. Technically very advanced compared to other French vehicles of the type, it proved its effectiveness during a victorious counter-attack at Voncq in early June 1940.
FCM 36FCM 36 30009 named Le Terrible of the 7e BCCFCM 36FCM 36 tank named FantomeFCM 36 tank 30018 of the 7e BCCFCM 36 of the 7e BCC 4 July 1939, ParisFCM 36FCM 36 30067 INCH’ALLAH of the 4e BCC VoncqFCM 36FCM 36Abandoned FCM 36 tanks, France 1940FCM 36FCM 36FCM 36
Abandoned
Wehrmacht soldiers next to a FCM 36 tankTank FCM 36 number 53CM 36 number 51940FCM 36 of the 7 BCCFCM 36 from 7e BCCFCM 36 and B1 bis 1940FCM 36 30098 from 4 BCCFCM 36 30087 of the 7e BCC white 32, Voncq 1940Abandoned FCM 36Abandoned FCM 36Abandoned FCM 36 tankAbandoned FCM 36 tankAbandoned FCM 36 1940Abandoned FCM 36 tank
Knocked Out
Knocked out tank FCM 36Knocked out FCM 36 tank, number 30042 of the 4e BCC, Voncq 1940FCM36 knocked out during the French campaign, 1940FCM 36 of the 7e BCCFCM 36 of the 7e BCC France 1940FCM 36 30085 lying on its side, Chemery 1940FCM 36 30055 of the 7e BCCFCM 36 30053 of the 7e BCC lying on its side, Chemery 1940FCM 36FCM 36 damaged turretDestroyed FCM 36FCM 36 of the 7e BCCFCM 36FCM 36 30014 Mon Tapadou of the 7e BCC
In German Markings
Panzerkampfwagen 737 FCM (f). Of the 100 FCM 36 built by the French 37 were captured and used by the Germans
10.5 cm leFH 16 18 (Sf) auf Geschuetzwagen FCM (f)
In 1943 ten FCM 36s were rebuilt as Marder I tank destroyers, with the 75mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun and officially called 7.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geschützwagen FCM(f). These were employed by 21 Panzerdivision in the Battle of Normandy in 1944. In 1942, twelve were rebuilt as self-propelled artillery, the 10.5cm leFH 16/18 (Sf) auf Geschuetzwagen FCM (f).
10.5 cm leFH 16 18 (Sf) auf Geschuetzwagen FCM (f)
