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 During World War 1 there was one idea that seemed to mesmerize many of those involved in the development of Armoured Fighting
Vehicles: that of the Monster Tank. The British had their "Flying
Elephant", a 100 ton behemoth that never came beyond a nearly finished
prototype; The Russians had the huge "Tsar", one of the most strange AFV:s ever
constructed; the Germans the mighty "K-Wagen"; and the French had their FCM 2C, in fact the most practical of a very unpractical species.
(FCM stands for the manufacturer: Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranée.) Already in 1916 had the French Army had ordered the construction of a so called "Char de
Rupture", a Breakthrough Tank - an idea which can be found behind most of these Monster Tank
projects. After some trials and prototype attempts they finally came up with the 2C. The Allies planned a big war-winning push in 1919, a push that was thought to be spearheaded by British and American Mk VIII:s and French FCM 2C:s. 300 FCM 2C:s were
ordered, but at the time of the armistice in November 1918 only 10 were on the productions
lines: they were eventually completed in 1921. The rest of the order was - as was the case with the Anglo-American Mk VIII -
cancelled.
The FCM 2C was not a bad design, considering that the basic idea was not that brilliant - and especially if you compare with the German
effort, the infernal "K-Wagen". It weighed some 69-ton, but it was well-armoured for it's day and still rather fast. (At first it was equipped with two 180-hp Mercedes
engines, driving one electric motor for each track - like the S:t Chamond. Later these Mercedes engines were substituted for two 250hp Maybach
engines, that originally were fitted in German Zeppelins.) It also sported a
novelty, that came to inspire many Tank designers during the 20-ies and early 30-ies: two turrets - it was the Worlds first multi-turreted tank. Due to it's size and long forward rise of the track
train, it had a fine trench-crossing and parapet-climbing abilities.
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If the FCM 2C had been used in the Great War, it would certainly made a name for
itself. But that did not happen. Instead the ten vehicles delivered in 1921-22 were kept on active service right up til the Second World
War, when they indeed were old, tired and obsolete. (Some attempts of upgrading them had been
done: e.g. radios had been fitted.) Ironically enough, not even then did they see any action. By 1940, four of the original ten were unservicable due to mechanical
failure. The six remaining were committed to action in early June 1940, and spent two days of futile rail
travel, after which they were blown up by their own crews, to prevent them from falling into German hands. Sic transit Gloria Mundi.
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is done from an old resin kit, made by that now defunct French Company ITA. I have rebuilt the engine
decking, which was wrong, made a whole new exhaust system, added new MG:s and a number of new details here and
there. The aim has been to backdate the vehicle to resemble the look it had when first delivered in 1921. (An earlier report on the building of this model can be found here.)
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