France's Hotchkiss H-35, Char de Cavalerie 35H light tank

Photos

Design

In 1934 the DML (Division Légère Mécanique) was formed and the army wanted a light tank to be used with the Somua S-35. In 1933 the infantry ordered a light tank to be produced and Hotchkiss developed prototype in 1934. This was initially rejected by the infantry who went with the Renault 35. The calvary did accept the design for its DCs (Divisions Cuirassées).

Became standard calvary tank in October 1936.³

There was no turret floor in the H-35 and the commander sat on a saddle which was suspended and moved with the APXR.I turret.

Construction

Hull and turret were cast armor.⁵

Suspension

The suspension had 3 scissors with horizontal coil springs. It was steered by using a Cleveland differential with front drive sprockets.

Production

• H-35: 400^3,5
  • Production: 1936 - ?^3,5

Usage

The H-35 was intended for use with Cavalry formations, but later adopted for infantry support.³

Middle East

There were H-35s located in the Middle East with French forces after the surrender of France.³

German Use

The Germans name the H-35 the PzKpfw 35-H 734(f).³

Specifications

	H-35 light tank6
Crew	Commander, driver 21,2,3,5,6
Physical Characteristics
Weight	10,600 kg1,5, 11,400 kg 10.6 tons2, 10.43 tons1,5,6, 11.4 tons
Length	13.83'2, 13' 10"1,5,6, 14' 1" 4.21 m, 4.22 m1,5,6, 4.3 m
Height	7'2, 7' 0.6"1, 8' 7"5,6 2.15 m1, 2.62 m5,6
Width	6', 6.08'2, 6' 4.75"1, 6' 5"5,6 1.8 m, 1.95 m1, 1.96 m5,6, 2.13 m
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	1' 2"
Ground contact length
Ground pressure	12.8 psi
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	37 mm1,2,3,5 1: 37 mm SA-186
Secondary
MG	7.5 mm MG1,5
MG - coaxial	1: 7.5 mm MG2,3,6
Side arms
Quantity
Main	58, 100
Secondary
MG	2,400
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	12 - 343 401,2,5
Hull Front, Upper	22-34@7° & round
Hull Front, Lower	29-34@30°
Hull Sides, Upper	34@20°
Hull Sides, Lower	34@0°
Hull Rear	34@25° and 22@30°
Hull Top	22@88° & 90°
Hull Bottom	12@90°
Turret Front	45@0° & 25° mantlet: 25@round
Turret Sides	40@30°
Turret Rear	40@30°
Turret Top	30, 12@90°
Engine (Make / Model)	Hotchkiss 19351,5,6, Hotchkiss2
Bore / stroke
Cooling	Water2
Cylinders	62,5,6
Capacity
Net HP	752,3,5,6, 75 @ 2,700 rpm
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	4 forward, 1 reverse, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline2,6
Octane
Quantity	55 gallons 3.48 liters
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	360°, hand
Speed - Road	17 mph1,2,5,6, 17.4 mph 27 kph5, 27.3 kph1, 27.4 kph6, 28.2 kph
Speed - Cross Country	150 km 7.5 mph
Range - Road	93 miles6, 93.2 miles1,5 100 km, 150 km1,5,6
Range - Cross Country
Turning radius	27'
Elevation limits
Fording depth	2' 10"
Trench crossing	5' 11"
Vertical obstacle	1' 8"
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)	bell cranks
Wheels each side	6 wheels mounted in pairs on bogies
Return rollers each side	2
Tracks (Type)
Length	6
Width	11"
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire tread
Track centers/tread