FCM 50t

The FCM 50t was a French heavy tank design of the 1940s. It did not progress beyond drawing stage. After the end of the Second World War, the French Army was in pressing need of a modern tank with heavy armament to replace the - now obsolete - war reparations German Panther medium tank and the French ARL 44 heavy tank then in service. In March 1945, French industry was invited to design a more satisfactory tank which resulted in the AMX-50. In December 1945, the FCM 50t was designed by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée (FCM) as a direct competitor to the AMX design. It did not progress past the drawing board The FCM 50t bears strong resemblance to the Panther tank. The FCM 50t turret resembles the Tiger II's turret. The suspension is made up of 80 cm diameter single and double interposed roller supplemented with return rollers. The suspension is oleo-pneumatic. The drive sprockets are located at the rear.