1918 French tanks at Saumur in full running order

[Manu-Military]

Hi,

Here's my HD video of this last week-end model show at Saumur's Tank Museum.

The unique occasion to see for the first time in 99 years all the 3 French 1st world war tanks (but not only) in full running order at the same time.

 

 

See ya

Manu

[Teamski]

I love those small H-35's/R-35's with those two man turrets.

 

-Ski

[GWS]

Very Cool!! Thanks for posting.

[wartimecollectables.com]

Echo that VERY COOL!

What model was the tank about midway thru with the miss foliage camp over the turret and barrel?

[Proud Kraut]

Great video, thanks for sharing! My personal highlight is the Bad Hersfeld 11th Armored Cavalry "Black Horse" M113 with cold war camo.

[Old Marine]

Thanks for posting that.

[The Meatcan]

Great video - thanks for sharing Manu!

Terry

[The Meatcan]

Echo that VERY COOL!

What model was the tank about midway thru with the miss foliage camp over the turret and barrel?

Looks like an AMX-30

[manayunkman]

Great job and thanks for taking the time to think about us.

 

Those old tanks are incredible.

 

When I was little in the 1960s I remember more than once seeing those French AMX-30s on roads in France, Belgium and Luxembourg, usually on a transport.

 

Europe was like a war zone, back then, with all types of military vehicles on the road.

 

Including many armored Police vehicles.

[Manu-Military]

Looks like an AMX-30

 

It is indeed.

And though they have a Leclerc tank, it's not in running order, no engine and turret mock-up.

 

The Saint Chamond and Schneider tanks come from the US and were once exhibited in APG.

They were given to USA right after WWI and then given back to France in the late 70's or very early 80's.

They both have been put back in running condition very recently.

Saumur's museum has now 4 Renault FT:

- 2 in full running order and are from ex 1940 French army (then probably taken by the Germans who kept them in good condition),

- 1 coming from Afghanistan and given either by US troops or Polish once discovered in a scrap yard (fortunately enough it had a 37mm gun moulded turret which served to convert one of the previous) and is staitically exhibited on a WWI trailer,

- 1 that has been recently refurbished from odds and ends to use the TSF specific hull that the museum had for ages.

 

Manu

[ArtyScout]

Awesome video. Nice to see all these tanks from WWI to Cold War. I enjoyed the FT-17, but I especially like the H-35. I always remember reading that the French tanks were just as good if not better than the German Mk III's & IV's but they didn't deploy them like the Germans did. Would have loved to have seen a Char B. But still this is an awesome video.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

[svt40]

What was the third WWI tank? Did not see it in the video.

[Manu-Military]

Awesome video. Nice to see all these tanks from WWI to Cold War. I enjoyed the FT-17, but I especially like the H-35. I always remember reading that the French tanks were just as good if not better than the German Mk III's & IV's but they didn't deploy them like the Germans did. Would have loved to have seen a Char B. But still this is an awesome video.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

 

It is generally recognized that French tanks were superior to German light tanks.

The 2 main weaknesses of them was the lack of antitank shells (with the SA18 gun) and the concept of a two men crew that affected its operationnal ability in combat due to excessive duties to be undertaken by the tank commander.

 

What was the third WWI tank? Did not see it in the video.

 

Check it back: Saint Chamond, Schneider and FT.