FCM 36

FCM 36
The last surviving FCM 36 in the Musée des Blindés in Saumur
TypeLight infantry tank
Place of originFrance
Service history
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1933–1936
ManufacturerForges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée
Unit cost₣ 450,000
Produced1938–1939
No. built100
Specifications
Mass12.35 metric tons
Length4.46 m (14 ft 8 in)
Width2.14 m (7 ft 0 in)
Height2.20 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew2 (commander, driver)

Armor40 mm
Main
armament
37 mm L/21 SA 18 gun
Secondary
armament
7.5 mm MAC31 Reibel machine gun coaxial
EngineV-4 Berliet diesel engine
91 hp (67 kW)
Power/weight7.36 hp/tonne
Transmission5 forward, 1 reverse
Suspensionvertical coil spring
Ground clearance0.36 m
Fuel capacity217 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.