"The Model 1921 Christie Medium Tank was a revised form of the earlier post-World War 1 Model 1919 by J. Walter Christie - it too failed to sell itself to the United States Army."
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the M1921 Christie Medium Tank Prototype Combat Vehicle.
1 x Christie 6-cylinder water-cooled gasoline-fueled engine developing 120 horsepower. Installed Power
14 mph 23 kph Road Speed
40 miles 65 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the M1921 Christie Medium Tank Prototype Combat Vehicle.
2 (MANNED) Crew
18.2 ft 5.54 meters O/A Length
8.5 ft 2.6 meters O/A Width
7.0 ft 2.13 meters O/A Height
30,865 lb 14,000 kg | 15.4 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the M1921 Christie Medium Tank Prototype Combat Vehicle.
1 x 57mm M1920 (British 6-pdr) main gun in fixed bow-mounted barbette.
1 x 0.30 caliber machine gun in front-left hull (ball-mounted).
1 x 0.30 caliber machine gun in front-right hull (ball-mounted).
AMMUNITION: Not Available.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the M1921 Christie Medium Tank family line.
M1921 - Base Prototype Designation; single example completed and tested.
J. Walter Christie, an American automobile design, attempted to sell the United States Army on various track-and-wheeled vehicles since the latter half of World War 1 (1914-1918). The Army provided a contract in 1919 to cover the Model 1919 Chritstie Medium Tank, a "convertible tank" with hybrid suspension system allowing it to be run on roadwheels or linked-track sections. The Model 1919 was not an outright winner as it was recognized to be underpowered, unreliable and an uncomfortable ride for its two-crew.
Rather than wait on the formal rejection by the Ordnance Department, Christie requested additional time to rework his creation and this was granted. In about a year, Christie returned with a revised version of his Model 1919 and this became the Model 1921. The tank retained its large roadwheels at the extreme corners of the design and held a single two-wheeled bogie at center of each hull side. However, the front wheels were now sprung for ride comfort and the hull superstructure completely reworked. Gone was the turreted main and secondary armament. In its place was a fixed barbette mounting the 2.24" main gun. To either front corner of the hull structure were ball mounts, each fitting a 0.30 caliber air-cooled machine gun.
Gone was the tactical flexibility of mounting both armament in traversing turrets and the Model 1921 did little to improve on performance and reliability. U.S. Army authorities were not sold on the design and the Model 1921 joined its Model 1919 forerunner in not being pursued. However, it was tested into July 1924 and a Bankrupt Christie eventually sold off rights to these machines (and some applicable patents) to the Army.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the M1921 Christie Medium Tank. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 1 Units Contractor(s): Front Drive Motor Company (J. Walter Christie) - USA
[ Untied States (evaluated; cancelled) ]
Going Further... The M1921 Christie Medium Tank Prototype Combat Vehicle appears in the following collections:
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