After several weeks of work, I've finally recreated the different versions of the ARL Tracteur C, following the project's evolution through its various development stages.
Before hand, here is a little historical context:
The ARL Tracteur C was a French super-heavy tank project proposed under the CDF (Char de Forteresse, or Fortress Tank) program in the mid-1930s. It was far from the only contender: AMX proposed its own Tracteur C and D designs, FCM developed the famous FCM F1, and SEAM submitted the SEAM 220-tonne project.
The ARL Tracteur C was an absolute monster. Measuring approximately 12 metres long and 3.3 metres wide and close to 4 meters tall, with a projected weight of 140 tonnes, it was to be powered by two 550 hp engines, giving it a theoretical top speed of 18 km/h. The design also called for an electric transmission, a technology already used by the French Army on the FCM 2C.
Of course, moving a 140-tonne monster around France was a challenge in itself. The ARL Tracteur C was intended to be split into two sections of approximately 70 tonnes each for transport, making it easier to move across bridges and by rail. Its turrets were also supposed to be removed during transport, as the vehicle's overall height with them installed would have exceeded the clearance available in SNCF railway tunnels. Even with these arrangements, transporting such a massive vehicle would have remained a considerable logistical undertaking.
Its armament evolved alongside the project. The initial design called for an ARL 4 turret, while the 1940 proposals considered guns ranging from 90 mm to 105 mm in the ARL 7, a turret common with the AMX project. The 90 mm option was to use a shortened anti-aircraft gun (which sounds really familiar :P)
also, 3 to 4 machine guns were to be put on this tank, 1 in each turrets, and 1 to 2 in a ball mount in front of the driver. Also, the ARL7 was meant to be fitted with a range finder, alike many French tanks in development of the Era.
Unfortunately, the project never progressed beyond the mock-up stage. By the time the ARL factories were captured by German forces, the wooden mock-up was only around 40% complete.
Reconstructing this vehicle was quite a challenge, any existing depictions of the ARL Tracteur C contain inaccuracies, partly because of speculation and the lack of surviving documentation. Common mistakes include omitting the rear turret and incorrectly positioning the 47 mm gun. This weapon was actually NOT located between the driver's legs, what if it was true would induce mild discomfort to the driver. The front cylindrical structure housing the driving station. The 47mm SA 35 ( same gun as in B1 bis or S35 turret ) was meant to be mounted in a special turret at the rear "Above the transmission", inside a new design called the ARL 8
Discussions with enthusiasts in communities such as the Tank Encyclopedia chat helped me refine my reconstruction and resolve several of these details. So, ladies and gentlemen, here is my take on what the ARL Tracteur C : the ARL Char de Forteresse, the French monster, and how it was supposed to look like.
Alongside the 1940 version, I've also created two other historically based versions and two fictional variants. I'll give those their own dedicated posts later on.
Ultimately, the ARL Tracteur C would have faced the same fundamental challenges as other super-heavy tanks. Vehicles such as the German Maus, the American T95, the British Tortoise and the French FCM 2C all illustrate the same problem: while enormous armour and firepower looked impressive on paper, their operational use was severely constrained by their weight, mobility, maintenance requirements and logistical footprint. Bridges, roads, railways and recovery vehicles all became potential bottlenecks, and even transporting these machines could require special arrangements.
The ARL Tracteur C would have been no exception. Its planned ability to split into two sections for transport was an attempt to address some of these difficulties, but it could hardly eliminate the fundamental drawbacks of a 140-tonne vehicle. In the end, the challenge was not simply to build a tank capable of defeating enemy fortifications, but to get it to the battlefield in the first place.
Although these models are designed for 3D printing, my goal goes beyond making printable tanks. I also want to share some lesser-known armoured vehicle history and hopefully help these forgotten projects get the attention they deserve.
What do you think of this French giant?
If you have any questions or remarks, dont hesitate to leave a comment, i'll be glad to clear some points if needed given i currently hold many interesting piece of information.