The French ARL 44 heavy tank, created at the end of the Second World War, can hardly be called successful. It combined a decent gun and frontal armor with an archaic chassis inherited from the Char B1 tank, which had been in development in 1920s. Work on its creation lasted much longer than it spent in service with the French army. Nevertheless, its characteristic appearance will definitely impress the fans of armored vehicles.
ARL 44 turned out to be huge. This tank is taller than the German Tiger II, and it seems like it is not enough space for it even in the spacious hall of the tank museum in Saumur
The tank is located in the corner of the hall next to the even larger AMX 50 120. Therefore, taking a photo with a general view of ARL 44 is a very difficult task
An extremely unusual tank: technologies from the mid-40s of the XX century are combined with a chassis from the 1920s
As you can see, the upper frontal hull plate of the ARL 44 is not empty
A sign in the lower right corner of the front plate says that this is the 29th vehicle assembled at FAMH
The headlight is of the American type, with a side light on top. The yellow color is not accidental — such headlights were mounted on French military equipment until the end of the 50s
The course machine gun mount was made similar to the German one, which was used on the Panther and Tiger II
Long-range track idlers are a family trait of old boy Char B
ARL 44 was the last tank produced on which the track goes around the hull
Tracks came from Char B almost without any changes
To make the maintenance of the numerous road wheels more convenient, the side screens were designed to be removable
However, it was not easy for the crew to remove such a large section
Large hatches in the sides are another example of anachronisms from the times of the First World War
But the drive wheel looks quite in the spirit of the 40s
From the rear, the ARL 44 also looks more like a tank from the 40s
The right fender of the tank is not empty
This strange structure is nothing more than a muffler, heavily eaten by rust
The upper rear plate has some of the features of the German tank industry
This is especially noticeable on the engine plate where the fans are installed
From the rear, the muffler looks no less specific
The central rear plate is somewhat reminiscent of a similar part of German tanks
The left side in its appearance completely mirrors the right side, including the large hatch
The left fender looks empty, unlike the right
The driver and gunner-radio operator hatches were made based on similar hatches of the Panther
The bottom of the ARL 44 is very similar to the bottom of the Char B
Many road wheels in the mid-40s were an outright anachronism
Oil leaks indicate that the engine is still in the tank
A very long barrel is one of the hallmarks of ARL 44
It seems that the muzzle brake designer was not the one for the easy way out
The turret is welded, but its front part is cast
On the right a tool & spares box found its place
An antenna port is located behind the box
The left side of the turret looks much less loaded
The tent hooks look very impressive. Behind it you can see a large hatch for the gun removal
A very solid looking gun mantlet
The same gun mantlet from the side
Tool & spares box close-up
Spare tracks are attached to both sides of the turret
The French ARL 44 heavy tank, created at the end of the Second World War, can hardly be called successful. It combined a decent gun and frontal armor with an archaic chassis inherited from the Char B1 tank, which had been in development in 1920s. Work on its creation lasted much longer than it spent in service with the French army. Nevertheless, its characteristic appearance will definitely impress the fans of armored vehicles.
ARL 44 turned out to be huge. This tank is taller than the German Tiger II, and it seems like it is not enough space for it even in the spacious hall of the tank museum in Saumur
The tank is located in the corner of the hall next to the even larger AMX 50 120. Therefore, taking a photo with a general view of ARL 44 is a very difficult task
An extremely unusual tank: technologies from the mid-40s of the XX century are combined with a chassis from the 1920s
As you can see, the upper frontal hull plate of the ARL 44 is not empty
A sign in the lower right corner of the front plate says that this is the 29th vehicle assembled at FAMH
The headlight is of the American type, with a side light on top. The yellow color is not accidental — such headlights were mounted on French military equipment until the end of the 50s
The course machine gun mount was made similar to the German one, which was used on the Panther and Tiger II
Long-range track idlers are a family trait of old boy Char B
ARL 44 was the last tank produced on which the track goes around the hull
Tracks came from Char B almost without any changes
To make the maintenance of the numerous road wheels more convenient, the side screens were designed to be removable
However, it was not easy for the crew to remove such a large section
Large hatches in the sides are another example of anachronisms from the times of the First World War
But the drive wheel looks quite in the spirit of the 40s
From the rear, the ARL 44 also looks more like a tank from the 40s
The right fender of the tank is not empty
This strange structure is nothing more than a muffler, heavily eaten by rust
The upper rear plate has some of the features of the German tank industry
This is especially noticeable on the engine plate where the fans are installed
From the rear, the muffler looks no less specific
The central rear plate is somewhat reminiscent of a similar part of German tanks
The left side in its appearance completely mirrors the right side, including the large hatch
The left fender looks empty, unlike the right
The driver and gunner-radio operator hatches were made based on similar hatches of the Panther
The bottom of the ARL 44 is very similar to the bottom of the Char B
Many road wheels in the mid-40s were an outright anachronism
Oil leaks indicate that the engine is still in the tank
A very long barrel is one of the hallmarks of ARL 44
It seems that the muzzle brake designer was not the one for the easy way out
The turret is welded, but its front part is cast
On the right a tool & spares box found its place
An antenna port is located behind the box
The left side of the turret looks much less loaded
The tent hooks look very impressive. Behind it you can see a large hatch for the gun removal
A very solid looking gun mantlet
The same gun mantlet from the side
Tool & spares box close-up
Spare tracks are attached to both sides of the turret
