Hotchkiss Modèle 1935, H-39 Light Tanks:

France, H-39 Light Tank

France, H-39 Light Tank

Hull was cast sections bolted together. The driver was in front a little to the right of center. He had a split hatch cover which one side opened upwards and the other opened forwards. There was an escape hatch in the floor. The turret was produced by AMX and was identical to the R-35s and R-40s. The commander had a rear door on the turret that could be folded down horizontal to form a seat. He also had a cupola that could be traversed.

The engine was on the left in the rear and the gas tank on the right. An external fuel tank could be used as well as a skid tail to increase cross country performance.

The SA 18 had velocity of 1,273 fps. Some had a 37 mm Sa 38 L/33 longer barreled gun installed (velocity 2,300 fps). Carried 100 rounds of 37 mm. Armor was increased to 40 mm. Had a raised rear decking.

First used in Norway.

Used by Free French forces in the Mediterranean.

German Use:

Added radios. Some were converted to self-propelled artillery with 75 mm antitank guns or 105 mm howitzers.

7.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geshützwagen 39H(f), 10.5cm leFH18(SF) auf Geshützwagen 39H(f)

  Hotchkiss H-39
Crew Commander, driver
21,2,3,5
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 11.9 tons1,5, 12 tons2, 12.1 tons3,4
12,000 kg, 12,100 kg1,5
Length w/gun 13' 10"1,3,5
4.22 m1,2,3,4, 4.23 m5
Length w/o gun  
Height 7' 0.6"1,3, 7' 1"5
2.14 m2, 2.15 m1,3,4, 2.16 m5
Width 6' 4.75"1, 6.48 m3
1.85 m2, 1.95 m1,3,4, 1.96 m5, 2.14 m
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance 1' 2"
0.37 m2
Ground contact length  
Ground pressure 12.8 psi
0.9 (kg/cm2)2
Turret ring diameter  
Armament  
Main 37 mm Sa38 L/33, 37 mm1
37 mm L/212 or L/332
37 mm3,5
37 mm SA184
Secondary  
MG 7.5 mm MG1,5
7.5 mm MG 31
7.5 mm MG, coaxial4
MG2
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 58, 1002
Secondary  
MG 2,4002
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm) Front: 404
Side: 404
401,5
Hull Front, Upper 22-34@7° & round
22-342
Hull Front, Lower 29-34@30°
Hull Sides, Upper 34@20°
342
Hull Sides, Lower 34@0°
Hull Rear 34@25° and 22@30°
222
Hull Top 22@88° & 90°
222
Hull Bottom 12@90°
122
Turret Front 45@0° & 25°
mantlet: 25@round
452
Turret Sides 40@30°
402
Turret Rear 40@30°
402
Turret Top 302, 12@90°
Engine (Make / Model) Hotchkiss 19381,5
Hotchkiss2,3
Bore / stroke  
Cooling Water2
Cylinders 62,3,5
Capacity  
Net HP 1203,4,5
120@ 2,800 rpm2
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) 4 forward, 1 reverse,
5 forward2, 1 reverse2
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type) Gasoline2,5
Octane  
Quantity 55 gallons
210 liters2
Road consumption  
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°, hand
Max speed 22.3 mph3, 22.7 mph1,5
36 kph3,4, 36.5 kph1,2,5
Cross country speed 10.6 mph
Road radius 74.5 miles3, 93.2 miles1,5,
120 km3, 150 km1,2,5
Cross country radius  
Turning radius 27'
8.25 m2
Elevation limits  
Fording depth 2' 10"3
0.85 m2,3
Trench crossing 5' 11"3
1.8 m3
Vertical obstacle 1' 8"3
0.5 m3
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) bell cranks
Coil Springs2
Wheels each side 6 wheels mounted in pairs on bogies
62
Return rollers each side 2
Tracks (Type)  
Length 6
Width 11"
270 mm2
Diamter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread  
Production Feb. 1939-: 1,000+3

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  4. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  5. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
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