 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2010) |
| FCM 36 | |
|---|---|
 The last surviving FCM 36 in the Musée des Blindés in Saumur | |
| Type | Light infantry tank |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1933–1936 |
| Manufacturer | Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée |
| Unit cost | ₣ 450,000 |
| Produced | 1938–1939 |
| No. built | 100 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12.35 metric tons |
| Length | 4.46 m (14 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 2 (commander, driver) |
| Armor | 40 mm |
Main armament | 37 mm L/21 SA 18 gun |
Secondary armament | 7.5 mm MAC31 Reibel machine gun coaxial |
| Engine | V-4 Berliet diesel engine 91 hp (67 kW) |
| Power/weight | 7.36 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | 5 forward, 1 reverse |
| Suspension | vertical coil spring |
| Ground clearance | 0.36 m |
| Fuel capacity | 217 litres |
Operational range | 225 km |
| Maximum speed | 24 km/h (15 mph) |
The FCM 36 or Char léger Modèle 1936 FCM, was a light infantry tank designed for the French Army prior to World War II. It had a crew of two and was equipped with a short 37mm main armament and a 7.5mm coaxial machine gun.
The FCM 36 was developed from 1934 onwards as part of a programme to replace the obsolete Renault FT. As it was more expensive to produce than competing designs, only a limited production of a hundred was authorised. It featured some advanced technologies such as a diesel engine and extensive use of welded sloped armour.
In 1940, the type equipped the 503e Groupement de Bataillons de Chars, which unsuccessfully counterattacked the decisive German breakthrough at Sedan.