Projects of combat vehicles Char Varlet (France)

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The first attempts to create promising armored vehicles, undertaken during the First World War, led to very interesting, though useless, results. Without the required experience, designers from different countries offered a variety of ideas and solutions. A curious version of the armored combat vehicle in the 1918 year was proposed by the French designer A. Varlet. In the future, his project was finalized and led to the emergence of new similar developments. All of them, however, remained at the design or assembly stage of the demo layout.

In 1918, Amed Varle served as chief designer for the automotive company Delahaye. By this time, all the countries participating in the First World War began to create this or that armored equipment for the armies, which attracted the attention of many different industrial enterprises that wanted to take part in new projects and, of course, get lucrative contracts. The Delaye Company is no exception. The chief designer of this enterprise offered his own version of the original combat vehicle, which in the future could be used on the battlefield.



All development A. Varle received the name under the general name Char Varlet ("Tank Varle"), formed from the class of such technology and the name of the creator. Also known about the existence of the name Char AV (Amédée Varlet). In addition, in some cases, projects may vary by specifying the year of development. Other options for distinguishing several projects were not used.

Projects of combat vehicles Char Varlet (France)
scheme tank A. Varle first version


One of the main issues that needed to be resolved in the framework of new projects was the throughput of technology. The typical battlefield of the First World War was dug with numerous craters from shells and was also crossed by wire barriers and trenches. To move around such an area, the combat vehicle had to have high levels of maneuverability, given to it by the undercarriage of the corresponding design. In his project, A. Varle proposed to solve the problem of patency, not only due to the design of the chassis, but also with the help of the original structure of the entire machine.

By the beginning of work on the first version of the “Tanka Varle”, the tracked engine had time to show its capabilities and advantages over other types of running gear. Because of this, the French designer decided to equip his promising armored vehicle with tracks. In addition, in order to increase the patency, it was planned to use two pairs of tracks, which can be moved relative to each other. For this, we had to develop an original armored vehicle design that has two separate hulls. Between themselves, they had to mate with a hinge and other devices.

The front case of the Char Varlet machine has received a simple form, formed by several straight panels. Two front sheets were used, the top of which was placed with a slight tilt back, and the bottom formed the front overhang of the body. Vertical sides and feed were used, made of central vertical and inclined upper and lower sheets. For proper interaction with the elements of the second building, it was proposed to use a curved convex roof.

The second body was supposed to have a frontal part of an unusual shape. Its characteristic feature was a large front unit mounted in the upper part. Due to this part, the body had to be L-shaped, necessary for connection with the front section. The rest of the rear case was not very complex, having the sides collapsed to the outside and an inclined stern leaf. On the lower part of the protruding front unit and on the front plate, the rear case had to carry two devices for connecting the two cases.

As the preserved drawings show, A. Varle proposed to connect the two bodies with a hinge on the basis of a cardan drive placed in their lower part. This allowed the front body to rotate around the longitudinal axis, as well as swing in a horizontal plane. To prevent damage to the enclosures when the relative position was changed, the front enclosure on the roof had a special roller that had to move along the corresponding rail on the protruding rear enclosure assembly.

In the project Char Varlet was offered the original design of the tracked undercarriage. Each building was to be equipped with two swinging carts of a special design. As part of the trolley was proposed to use large guide and drive wheels, as well as several support rollers of small diameter. All units of the trolley were placed on a common support beam. The latter was hinged to mount on board the hull. Next to the hinge, the drive axles were removed from the housing, connected to the power unit of the housing. With the help of a chain drive, the axle is connected to the drive wheel. The drive wheels of the caterpillars of the front case should have been at the back, the rear - in front.

Exact information about the type of power plant, engine power and transmission units have not been preserved. The composition of the weapons of the combat vehicle is also unknown. It is only known that each building of the Tanka Varle had to carry its own engine and transmission. In addition, the building should have enough space to accommodate the crew and weapons.


The second version of Char Varlet


The proposed design of the tank as a whole and its chassis suggested a significant increase in maneuverability compared to the less daring appearance of the vehicle. "Tank Varle" had to overcome various obstacles due to several major factors. Thus, the use of four tracks in the theory gave a noticeable increase in the area of ​​the supporting surface. In addition, each of the carts could freely swing in a vertical plane, adapting to the features of the landscape. It was proposed to compensate for larger elevation differences by changing the relative position of the two sections of the hull.

Based on the original project, A. Varle soon created an updated version of the combat vehicle, featuring an improved design and the presence of weapons. Again it was proposed to use an articulated structure of two buildings, as well as a set of four tracked trucks. At the same time, it was planned to change the design of the buildings, as well as the means of their interfacing. The biggest innovation of the project was to become a tower with weapons.

The hulls of the updated Char Varlet should have been updated. On a rectangular box-shaped base of the front hull there were inclined frontal and stern sheets connected to a curved roof part. In the lower part of the sides were hinges caterpillar trucks and drive axle drive. A hinge was provided on the roof to connect to the corresponding units of the rear section of the machine. The rear case of the new version differed from the front with a less complex structure formed by vertical sides, a horizontal roof, and also oblique details in the upper part of the forehead and stern.

A. Varle proposed to install a special unit of several beams on the frontal part and on the roof of the rear hull. This design should have a wide back, an extended central section and a narrowed front section. The front part of the frame was intended for connection with the hinge of the front case, in the center it was proposed to place a tower with weapons, and the food was rigidly fixed on the rear section. It was assumed that this design will solve the problem of installing weapons, but at the same time maintain the mobility of the sections and tracked trucks at the level of the first project.

In the central part of the connecting frame was placed the rotary tower of a fairly simple design. It was proposed to use a tower consisting of a cylindrical side and a conical roof with a horizontal upper part. In the turret of a new design it was possible to place an artillery or machine-gun weapon type required by the customer. Such placement of guns or machine guns allowed to fire at targets in any direction. It is noteworthy that the weapon had to be mounted rigidly, because of which vertical guidance from -2 ° to + 60 ° was to be performed by tilting the entire tower.

According to some reports, the tower could not only rotate and swing for the guidance of weapons, but also move back and forth along the rails. Running over to the rear case, the tower accordingly changed the balance of the car, allowing it to overcome various obstacles.

Also, the second project Char Varlet offered several additional places for installing weapons. Two machine-gun or cannon installations should be mounted in the front section front section and in the rear aft. Thus, the armament complex could include at least five barreled weapons with a certain potential in terms of further modernization.


Model tank A. Varle thirties


As conceived by the author of the project, a promising articulated tank of the new version could be used on highly rugged terrain as battlefields of the First World War, where its characteristics would allow it to move freely along the required route and support the infantry with fire. There was also some potential in the fight against enemy aircraft. The design characteristics and capabilities quite allowed Amed Varlet to expect to receive an order from a potential operator of such equipment in the face of the French army.

Project Char Varlet was one of the many original proposals submitted to the French military department. By the time the proposal was received from A. Varle, the military had time to consider many similar projects, and also to build and test several prototypes. All these works showed that not always the original proposals of enthusiasts allow to get real results. The project "Tanka Varle" was studied and received the appropriate assessment. Despite the expected high characteristics of mobility and firepower, such a machine turned out to be unacceptably complex and expensive both in production and in operation. Naturally, no one gave permission even for the construction and testing of a prototype machine.

The lack of interest on the part of the main customer led to a halt in work. As it became clear later, the stop was temporary, albeit a long one. In the mid-thirties, almost two decades after the appearance of the first two projects, the French designer again tried to offer the original design of the equipment to the military. This time, the Char Varlet combat vehicle was supposed to be a participant in the competition for the development of a heavy tank that was launched in the 1936 year. A few months later, in 37, A. Varle sent the military documentation on the new version of the unusual tank.

In the new project, the designer decided to use some existing ideas that had already been formed in 1918, in combination with a number of original designs. At the same time the running gear had to undergo the main changes. Moreover, it was decided to abandon the use of tracks of traditional design. As part of the 1936-37 project, a new version of the propulsion unit of an unusual design was developed, in which there were separate features and wheels and tracks.

The basis of the original propulsion was a triangular frame with a set of fasteners for various parts. In the center of the frame there was a knot for connecting with the hinge of the case and for entering the drive axle of the transmission. In the corners of the frame were placed one drive and two guide wheels. The leader was connected to the drive axle using a set of gears, the guides were equipped with caterpillar tension spring mechanisms. Between the drive and the guide wheels there were mounts for small-diameter support rollers that did not have any shock absorbers. On wheels and skating rinks, it was proposed to tension the tracks.

The tank of the new version was to receive four movers of such a design. When moving on a flat surface, the triangular system had to remain in its original position, using the lower part of the caterpillar to lie on the ground for movement. When driving on rough terrain, the propeller could rotate around its axis, to a certain extent, improving permeability. It was assumed that the rotation of a triangular device with a tensioned track will maintain contact with the ground, regardless of the terrain.


Driving circuit created for the third project


The overall design of the Char Varlet tank model 1936-37 of the years was to be taken with some changes from the second draft of the First World War. At the same time, some notable changes were proposed. For example, the front hull was supposed to differ in reduced size and the presence of only one frontal gun mount. On the roof of the case, however, the elements of the hinge were connected. Some changes also had to undergo the rear section of the tank. Shells were connected to each other with a long frame, the front of which was pivotally connected at the front, and the back was rigidly fixed to another section. On the frame should have been installed mobile tower with weapons.

According to the designer’s calculations, the total length of the Tanka Varle of the third version was to reach 9 m, width less than 3 m, height 2,7 m. In the frontal part of the front hull it was proposed to install an 75-mm gun. In the tower should have mounted 47-mm gun. The car should have been driven by a crew of three or four people. It was assumed that such a variant of the tank would differ from competing designs with increased maneuverability in complex landscapes.

Like the previous project, the new one was proposed to the French military department and studied by army specialists. Since the previous study of the project, it took almost 20 years, but this did not affect the results of the new analysis. The proposed project was again too difficult in terms of construction and operation in the army. A. Varle received a new waiver. The military, for obvious reasons, were more interested in other projects that did not promise a colossal increase in maneuverability, but also did not differ in unacceptable complexity. A new version of the project Char Varlet lost the chance for further development, and all work was stopped.

From 1918 to 1937, the French designer Amed Varle proposed three options for a promising combat vehicle, characterized by enhanced off-road performance and capable of carrying various weapons. These two developments were proposed to a potential customer, but because of excessive complexity they did not receive approval. As a result, two projects created during the First World War remained on paper, and the car of the mid-thirties was built only in the form of a large-scale layout. The construction of full-fledged prototypes has never been planned.

Projects A. Varle may be of some interest from a technical point of view. Within the framework of three projects, original ideas were proposed, aimed at increasing the maneuverability of the vehicles. In addition, the third version of the "Tanka Varle" was to be equipped with the original propulsion unit. In the future, the idea of ​​building articulated off-road vehicles was developed and found its application in a number of new projects created in different countries. Other original features of the projects A. Varle were no longer used.

An interesting feature of three successively created projects was the confidence of their author in the possibility of the full implementation of ideas. Because of this, the first two 1918 projects of the year look too bold, but still acceptable against the background of other original developments of their time. An attempt to develop existing ideas and find application in the mid-thirties, on the contrary, looks dubious and strange. By this time, a classic tank shape was formed, having all the necessary features. However, this feature of the project is fully consistent with its result. The ideas that were rejected earlier could not find any real use again, which was soon forgotten.


On the materials of the sites:
http://modelarchives.free.fr/
https://aviarmor.net/
https://armorama.com/
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3 comments
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  1. 0
    14 December 2016 22: 24
    French, good engineers ...
  2. +1
    15 December 2016 11: 51
    The fantasy of engineers of those times is limitless, but this is only visible with time ..
  3. 0
    19 December 2016 08: 40
    technicians. In the future, the idea of ​​building articulated off-road vehicles was developed and found its application in a number of new projects created in different countries. Other original features A. Varle's projects were no longer used.

    I don’t know other players in this field (maybe it’s not the first and not one) but the caterpillar - a wheel of all kinds periodically catches your eye (an example is not the most successful but there are many kinds)

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