"The Schneider Tank suffered from many of the same drawbacks as seen in other early tanks designs debuting during World War 1."
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Char d'Assault Schneider (Schneider CA) Tracked Assault Vehicle.
1 x Schneider 4-cylinder gasoline engine developing 55 horsepower. Installed Power
5 mph 8 kph Road Speed
50 miles 80 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the Char d'Assault Schneider (Schneider CA) Tracked Assault Vehicle.
7 (MANNED) Crew
20.7 ft 6.32 meters O/A Length
6.7 ft 2.05 meters O/A Width
7.5 ft 2.3 meters O/A Height
27,558 lb 12,500 kg | 13.8 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Char d'Assault Schneider (Schneider CA) Tracked Assault Vehicle.
1 x 75mm Blockhaus Schneider main gun in right front hull.
2 x 8mm Hotchkiss M1914 machine guns, one each in hull side ball mounts.
AMMUNITION: Not Available.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Char d'Assault Schneider (Schneider CA) family line.
Char d'Assault Schneider - Formal Designation
Schneider CA - Original Designation
Schneider CA1 - Revised Designation
The Schneider Char d'Assault tank was France's first real attempt at differentiating dedicated tanks from dedicated self-propelled gun systems. Like its predecessors before it however, the system would never meet its potential due to the design theory of melding a long hull on a short set of tracks. In practice, this combination proved to make the Schneider unable to pass over any type of uneven terrain.
The Schneider was a Char d'Assault idea by Colonel J .E. Estienne with a full design developed by Eugene Brillie under the Schneider Company brand. Both men visited the United States of America in an effort to study and research the Holt series of tractors that utilized a distinct tractor and chassis assemblage - more specifically the "Baby Holt". The resulting design was termed as the Tractuer Blinde et Arme and production for the French Army followed.
The Schneider Char d'Assault was the most fundamental of tank designs, consistent with early tanks in general. It was of a boxy hull design with a sharp angle at fore. The system sat upon shortened tracks, leaving the forward and aft hull sections hovering over the track assembly. Main armament consisted of a 75mm main gun. Two additional Hotchkiss-type 8mm machine guns were fitted in positional ball mountings on either side of the upper hull for self-defense. The Schneider could carry a full compliment of 7 personnel.
Once the Schneiders became available for use, their design shortcomings quickly became apparent. The short tractor assemblies were useless over anything but flat roads as the elongated hull protruding fore and aft caused the system to get stuck. As a result, the system suffered catastrophic losses against enemy artillery barrages, rendering the entire concept nearly useless. In one particular offensive no fewer than 57% of the 132 fielded Schneiders were destroyed in this fashion.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Char d'Assault Schneider (Schneider CA). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 400 Units Contractor(s): Schneider Company - France
[ France ]
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