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AMX 38
AMX 38
AMX 38
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The AMX 38 was a prototype French tank designed in 1937 at the AMX works. Designed as AMX's response to the 20-tonne tank programme intended to replace the aging Char D2, it was a faster and heavier alternative to Renault R35, in practice a cross-over between a light tank and medium tank.[1]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) participate in the competition to create the next generation light tank for the French Army. The AMX company started development in July 1937 and their tank project later received the designation "AMX 38".

Design

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The AMX 38 was designed to have better mobility than the Char D1, while having the same armour and a small weight increase. It was planned to have a 100-horsepower CLM diesel engine, 37mm SA 18 gun and the new APX-R turret.

First prototype

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When the first prototype was completed in the end of 1939, it differed vastly from the initial design. The vehicle was equipped with a 37mm SA 38 gun and a 7.5mm Reibel machine gun. The weight of the first prototype was 13.5 tons. It had a 130 hp Aster engine and a power-to-weight ratio of 9.62 hp/t. The maximum speed of the first prototype was 25 km/h. The turret was replaced by one designed by AMX, which closely resembles the turret of FCM 36. The AMX 38 had a tail piece at the rear to help the vehicle cross trenches. The crew consisted of two people, a driver and a commander/gunner.[1]

However, the AMX 38 first prototype was proved to be inferior to other current French tanks both in armor and armament. As a result, the AMX company continued to redesign and improve the AMX 38.

Second prototype

[edit]

In December 1939, the second prototype was constructed. It was armed with the 47mm SA 35 gun, replacing the older 37mm SA 38 gun. The gun had better penetration and could destroy any German tank of that period. Additionally, the frontal turret and hull armor was increased to 60mm which is impenetrable by the standard German 3.7 cm Pak 36. The second prototype weight increased to 16.5 tons. The suspension had to be changed and the engine was to be upgraded to a more powerful Aster engine of 160 horsepower. The power-to-weight ratio of the second prototype was projected to increase to 9.69 hp/t.

Development

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Trials of both prototypes were underway when war broke out. The project was abandoned after the Fall of France.[1]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

AMX 38

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from Grokipedia
The AMX 38 was a French developed in 1937 by (AMX), the nationalized tank production arm of , as an evolution of the Renault R 35 and a potential lighter successor to the heavier . Weighing approximately 16-18 tons with a two-man crew consisting of a /gunner and , it measured 5.28 meters in length, 1.93 meters in width, and 2.23 meters in height, and was powered by a 150 hp liquid-cooled Aster that provided a top speed of about 24 km/h and a range of 140-150 km. Designed outside the main 20-tonne tank program but as a competitor to projects like the DAC 1, the AMX 38 featured a modern hull with flat plates (initially bolted, later welded), molded frontal armor, and a conical turret, along with Molinié-type suspension using 16 small road wheels and four return rollers per side. Its armament consisted of a 47 mm SA 35 in a single-turret configuration, supplemented by a coaxial 7.5 mm ; the first prototype was armed with a 37 mm SA 38 gun, while the second featured the 47 mm SA 35, while armor thickness reached up to 40 mm initially, increased to 60 mm on the frontal armor in the reworked design. Although blueprints were finalized by March 1938 and the design was officially adopted that June, only two prototypes were built by 1939, with trials demonstrating adequate mobility but no serial production due to shifting priorities and the German invasion in May 1940. The vehicle represented a transitional effort in French interwar tank design, blending support roles with improved firepower, but it ultimately remained a footnote in the nation's pre-war armored development.

Background and Development

Origins of the Program

In the late , the recognized significant limitations in its existing armored forces, particularly the light , which suffered from inadequate armor protection, limited firepower, and sluggish mobility, rendering it insufficient for evolving battlefield demands. These shortcomings, combined with the obsolescence of the heavier introduced in the early , prompted the need for a versatile successor capable of supporting while maintaining capabilities. In July 1937, as part of broader modernization efforts to bolster armored units amid rising tensions in Europe, the initiated a program for a new 20-tonne to address these gaps and integrate light and functionalities, intended as a for arming divisions. The (AMX), formed in through the partial nationalization of Renault's tank production facilities, was selected among manufacturers to develop a response to this program. AMX's involvement stemmed from its established expertise in armored design and production, including ongoing work on Renault-derived , positioning it well to contribute to the initiative. The program emphasized a balanced that could perform duties typical of light tanks while providing support akin to medium tanks, reflecting the French military's doctrinal shift toward more adaptable armored formations ahead of potential conflict. This effort sought overall design goals such as enhanced firepower beyond the Char D2's capabilities, aiming to equip the tank with a more potent main gun to engage contemporary threats effectively. By blending these roles, the AMX 38 project represented a strategic attempt to streamline the French Army's tank inventory and improve operational flexibility in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

Requirements and Competition

The French Army's 1937 tank program sought a versatile to modernize its armored forces, with the 20-tonne weight limit established to ensure transportability by rail and bridges while maintaining operational flexibility. Key technical requirements included a 2-man crew to reduce training and operational costs, a maximum speed of 25 km/h for infantry accompaniment, and armor of at least 40 mm to resist 25 mm fire, with later requirements increasing to 60 mm on frontal plates. The design was also required to integrate existing artillery systems, such as the 37 mm SA 38 or 47 mm SA 35 guns, to leverage standardized ammunition and production lines. In the competitive landscape, the program aimed to replace existing light tanks such as the and , which focused on similar roles but used cast armor. AMX's welded construction proposal competed with new designs, including Renault's DAC 1. The program prioritized tanks suitable for support and in motorized divisions, balancing mobility with to support defensive doctrines. AMX's design was accepted on June 13, 1938, securing funding for prototype development and initiating construction timelines that targeted completion by spring 1939. Compared to heavier tanks like the , the AMX 38 emphasized cost-effectiveness and production scalability through simplified assembly and diesel propulsion, aiming for mass output to equip infantry divisions efficiently.

Design Features

Armament and Protection

The primary armament of the AMX 38 evolved across its design iterations to address limitations in anti-tank capability. The first prototype featured a 37 mm SA 38 low-pressure gun mounted in an FCM turret, providing full 360° traverse and an elevation range from -10° to +20° for versatile engagement of ground and elevated targets. This setup was deemed adequate for light reconnaissance roles but insufficient against contemporary medium armor. In the second prototype and finalized design, the armament was upgraded to a 47 mm SA 35 high-velocity gun, which offered significantly improved penetration—capable of defeating up to approximately 45 mm of armor at 1,000 m under optimal conditions—enhancing its effectiveness against German Panzer III and IV tanks of the era. Complementing the main gun, the AMX 38 included a 7.5 mm MAC Mle 1931 Reibel with ammunition storage for around 2,500 rounds, intended for suppressing and light vehicles during close-range combat. An optional roof-mounted 7.5 mm was considered for anti-aircraft defense, though not implemented in the prototypes, reflecting French design trends toward integrated small-arms versatility without dedicated crew positions. The one-man turret design placed the in dual roles as gunner and loader, relying on basic optics such as a Gundlach rotating for targeting and , which limited multitasking efficiency compared to multi-crew turrets. These features reflect the second prototype and finalized design; the first prototype had a 37 mm gun and other differences covered in the prototypes section. Protection emphasized balanced mobility over maximal thickness, using welded rolled steel plates in the hull and turret to achieve a proposed scheme of up to 60 mm on the frontal hull and turret faces in the reworked . Sloping was incorporated on the upper hull and turret sides to deflect incoming fire, providing effective resistance against 37 mm anti-tank rounds at typical combat ranges while keeping overall weight under 20 tonnes. Sides and rear armor remained thinner at 40 mm, prioritizing speed and production feasibility, with the tested to withstand 25 mm impacts but vulnerable to heavier calibers from the sides. This approach aligned with French interwar doctrine for tanks, where evasion complemented armor rather than relying on invulnerability.

Mobility and Crew Layout

The AMX 38 employed a 4-cylinder Aster diesel engine rated at 160 hp in its second , an upgrade from the 130 hp version in the first , delivering a of approximately 9.7 hp/tonne for the 16.5- vehicle. This engine, coupled with a Wilson-Talbot gearbox, provided reliable while emphasizing typical of diesel designs in French prototypes of the era. The featured a suspension system with sixteen road wheels per side, utilizing vertical coil springs and balancer arms to enhance cross-country mobility and absorb terrain shocks effectively. This setup contributed to a ground clearance of 0.40 m, allowing the to navigate obstacles and uneven ground with relative ease. The vehicle's dimensions—5.28 m in length, 1.93 m in width, and 2.22 m in —supported a compact profile suitable for support roles, while the tracks were designed to distribute weight evenly, resulting in a low ground pressure of 0.75 kg/cm² that minimized during operations. On roads, the AMX 38 achieved a top speed of 25 km/h, dropping to about 15 km/h off-road due to the suspension's focus on stability over high-speed traversal in rough . These attributes prioritized balanced mobility for a medium-weight , enabling quick repositioning in defensive maneuvers without excessive strain on the . The crew layout consisted of two members: a driver positioned in the hull front and a who doubled as gunner in the turret. The driver relied on episcopes for forward and side visibility through a single hatch on the right hull side, while the used a with five vision slits for all-around observation and turret control. This arrangement optimized internal space for rapid maneuvers in confined conditions but placed a significant on the , who managed aiming, firing, and simultaneously, a common critique of two-man tank designs of the period.

Prototypes and Testing

First Prototype Construction and Trials

The first prototype of the AMX 38 was constructed at the Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) facilities and completed by mid-1939. It was publicly presented during the Satory maneuvers on October 30, 1939, marking the project's transition from design to physical testing. This initial prototype weighed 13.5 tonnes and featured a 130 hp four-cylinder diesel engine from Ateliers de Construction Mecanique l'Aster, providing a maximum speed of 25 km/h on roads. Armament consisted of a 37 mm SA 38 low-pressure gun in a welded FCM-style turret, paired with a coaxial MAC Mle 1931 machine gun, while frontal armor measured 40 mm thick using welded rolled plates—thinner than the program's 20-tonne class requirements for enhanced protection. Initial trials commenced at the proving grounds in early 1940, emphasizing mobility, reliability, and overall performance under field conditions. The vehicle demonstrated a smooth ride due to its Christie-style suspension and adequate handling for support roles but exposed vulnerabilities, including insufficient resistance to armor-piercing rounds due to the modest protection levels. These evaluations created a direct feedback loop, underscoring the necessity for an armament upgrade to a higher-velocity and an overall weight increase to meet standards, which informed subsequent modifications in the second prototype.

Second Prototype Improvements and Evaluation

The second prototype of the AMX 38, an improved version, was completed by late , featuring significant upgrades to rectify limitations observed in the initial model. The vehicle's weight was raised to 16.5 tonnes, incorporating a 160 hp Aster engine, a 47 mm SA 35 in place of the earlier 37 mm armament, and frontal armor thickened to 60 mm. In early 1940, the underwent extended evaluation trials at French test ranges, focusing on , mobility, and crew ergonomics. Firepower assessments confirmed the 47 mm SA 35 gun's capability to penetrate approximately 35 mm of armor at 500 meters. Mobility evaluations revealed sustained cross-country speeds of about 20 km/h, while crew efficiency was deemed adequate despite the compact two-man layout. The upgraded reached 9.69 hp/tonne, marking an improvement over the first but remaining underpowered relative to German contemporaries such as the , which achieved around 15 hp/tonne. Trials also highlighted vulnerabilities in the side armor, which remained thinner at approximately 40 mm, potentially exposing the vehicle to flanking threats. During comparative analysis, the AMX 38 second was assessed alongside rival entries from (such as the DAC 1) and Hotchkiss (H39 variants), where it demonstrated superior main gun performance but fell short in overall production readiness and scalability due to complex and casting requirements.

Cancellation and Legacy

Impact of World War II

The German invasion of on May 10, 1940, abruptly interrupted the ongoing trials of the AMX 38 prototypes, which had been conducted at the proving grounds. Although the prototypes were reportedly evacuated southward to avoid capture, they were never subjected to combat testing due to the escalating chaos of the . This sudden halt prevented any further evaluation of the vehicle's performance under wartime conditions, leaving the program in limbo as French forces prioritized defensive operations over experimental development. Following the fall of Paris on June 14, 1940, the AMX facilities at Issy-les-Moulineaux were occupied by German forces, effectively seizing control and repurposing the workshops for work on armored vehicles under Wehrmacht oversight. This occupation, beginning in June 1940 with the assignment of German commissioners, completely barred any continuation of French-led research or production on the AMX 38, as resources were diverted to support Axis needs rather than national projects. Much of the documentation from the period was lost or obscured during the occupation. Amid the rapid defeat, the shifted focus to mass-producing proven existing models such as the and infantry tanks, which were already in stock and deemed sufficient for immediate mobilization, sidelining innovative prototypes like the AMX 38 that required additional investment and time. The signed on June 22, 1940, and establishment of the Vichy regime on July 10, 1940, imposed an immediate freeze on all advanced tank programs. The fate of the AMX 38 prototypes remains unclear, though they were likely stored in secure locations or scrapped to comply with clauses and resource reallocations under German supervision.

Influence on Later Designs

Although the AMX 38 never entered production due to the outbreak of , its design represented a transitional effort in French interwar tank development, blending elements of light and medium tanks. The two-man crew configuration emphasized efficiency, a concept seen in postwar French light tanks like the , though no direct lineage is documented. In the broader legacy of French armor, the AMX 38 contributed general insights into balanced protection and mobility for roles through features like molded frontal armor and advanced suspension. Archival data from the 1939-1940 trials, including performance metrics on suspension and crew ergonomics, may have provided baseline engineering insights for French rearmament efforts in the , though specific influences are not well-documented. No evidence indicates international adoption or examination of the AMX 38 prototypes by German forces or others during or after the war.
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