radiator: cooled by air ejector operating by means of exhaust gases. 500hp at 2700 rpm
Power/weight
20hp/t
Suspension
Hydraulic suspension,
Four torsion bars,
Undercarriage: 6 double rollers - fitted on each side with rubber tires - (580mm x 140mm),
Shock absorbers: on the 8 extreme rollers,
Track tension: by rear pulley - all-steel track.
Fuel capacity
700L
Maximum speed
65km/h
Steering system
ensured by a differential system allowing turning on the spot
The Batignolles-Chatillon Char 25T was an early Cold War medium tank of France, developed in the 1954 by the Batignolles-Chatillon company. The vehicle was not developed beyond the two prototypes.
Development
It was designed for a 25-ton weight class, which is nearly twice the weight of the AMX-13. Its primary armament was a 90 mm cannon, and was operated by 4 crew members. Its speed could reach 65 km/h. Two prototypes were made before it was set aside. However, some principles of creation of the tank and some of its technology were used in other French AFVs. Some variants were developed, but none of these were ever used in active service with the French Army.[1][3]
Design
The Char 25T was designed around the gun and mobility so therefore little to no importance was put on the armor. The 90 mm gun shared the same ammunition as the T119 gun used in the American M47 Patton (later designated 90 mm M36). The tank was supposed to get up to 65km/h on the road with a 40km/h cruising speed. The gun was fed by an automatic loader. The total amount of ammunition that was stored inside the tank totaled to 52 shells 16 of which were found in the turret.[4] The turret was of the oscillating type and consisted of two pieces. The bottom part functioned as the base of the turret, which also contained the turret ring which moved the turret horizontally, while the top part (containing the cannon) was joined by a hinge and was capable of moving up and down to elevations of -6˚/+13˚. In terms of armor, the Char 25T was extremely lacking, with the thickest point being 50mm. This armor could only protect against heavy machine guns but that was enough considering the role of the tank being focused on a hit-and-run tactic. The tank was also equipped with 2 7.5mm machine guns for close range anti infantry fire and/or estimating the range until to the enemy target. The tank also had four smoke grenade launchers (two on each side) so it could deploy them for extra shielding while it ran away from a difficult situation. As the tank lacked any thermal imagery devices aiming was hard and time consuming. That is why the tank was equipped with a total of 16 periscopes and one fixed binocular. The tank commander was also fitted with a priority device using which he could take control of the cannon from the gunner in case he needed to shoot urgently and the gunner wasn't ready.[4]
Surviving examples
There were at least 2 prototypes of the Char 25T of which one is at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France. The fate of the other prototype is yet unknown.
France
