Back FCM 36 BS FCM 36 Catalan FCM-36 Czech FCM 36 German FCM 36 French FCM 36 Croatian FCM 36 Italian FCM36 Japanese FCM 36 Dutch FCM 36 Occitan
 | 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 that was 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 an 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.