Lorraine 155 mm
The Lorraine 155 mm was a French prototype self-propelled gun.
| Lorraine 155 mm | |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | France |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 30.30 metric tonnes |
| Length | 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in) |
| Width | 3.28 m (10 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 3.23 m (10 ft 7 in) |
Main armament | 155 mm gun |
Secondary armament | 1x 20 mm machine gun |
| Engine | Maybach HL 230 engine 685 hp |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Maximum speed | 62 km/h (39 mph) |
History
After the end of the Second World War, the French Army began to rebuild their army. Various projects were issued to the French Industry to create modern armored fighting vehicles.
In the 1950s, the Lorraine company present two self-propelled artillery prototypes based on their previous project, the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine. The two vehicles were equipped with a 155mm howitzer.[1]
The first prototype had the casemate placed in the middle of the vehicle.
The second prototype had the casemate mounted in the front.
Armament
The Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50 was mounted on the Lorraine 155 mm. The two prototypes were also equipped with a 20mm machine gun in the rear of the vehicle to defend itself against air attacks.[1]
Chassis
The 2 prototypes of the Lorraine 155 mm utilized the chassis from the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine tank destroyer. Similar to the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine, the two prototypes had the Veil Picard pneumatic tires for road wheels. This would enable the vehicle to move in case the tracks were disabled. [1]
Engine
A Talbot engine was planned to be mounted on the vehicle. In 1951, the Maybach engine was equipped instead. [2]
Development
In 1954, there were ongoing studies for a self-propelled gun with a turret to allow for more flexibility when attacking. In 1955, the order was given to create self-propelled gun with a turret. This was the Batignolles Chatillon 155mm. The Lorraine 155 mm project was deemed to be redundant and all works on the project was discontinued. [1]
One prototype is stored in Bourges Technical Establishment storage area.[3] The other prototype is kept in the technical zone of the base of the 2nd Dragoon Regiment at Fontevraud.[4]
Reference
- 1950 LORRAINE SELF-PROPELLED 155 mm (in French), retrieved 9 February 2020
- "Lorraine 155 Mle.50". Retrieved 2020-02-09.
- Pierre-Olivier Buan and Neil Baumgardner, 2016, France Historical AFV Register — Armored Fighting Vehicles Preserved in France p.30. http://the.shadock.free.fr/France_AFVs.pdf, retrieved 18 Feb 2020
- Pierre-Olivier Buan and Neil Baumgardner, 2016, France Historical AFV Register — Armored Fighting Vehicles Preserved in France p.75. http://the.shadock.free.fr/France_AFVs.pdf, retrieved 18 Feb 2020