ARL 2C Top Turret for Somua S35

Source: http://yuripasholok.livejournal.com/4297508.html

Hello everyone,

when the Somua S35 upcoming tier 3 French tank was leaked, some guys were wondering, what the hell is that top turret and why doesn’t it look like a Somua S35 one. Here’s the deal (the drawings were published by Yuri Pasholok).

The top turret is called ARL 2C and was developed as an upgrade to the Somua S35 tank. According to the French plans, in July 1940, starting with the produced vehicle No.451, the vehicle was to be replaced by a modified version, called “S40″. The first prototype of the turret was produced in the spring of 1940.

First 80 Somua S40 tanks (No.451 to No.530) were supposed to be equipped with the APX 1 CE turrets, the very same the Somua S35 tanks used. But at the same time, on the first prototype a mock-up turret (that was supposed to be the main turret in the future) was already tried out. This turret was called ARL 2C.

The development of the ARL 2C turret started as early as January 1939. The main difference between the previous turrets was that instead of being entirely cast, this new design was mostly welded, with only the commander’s cupola made using the method of casting. First 80 Somua S40 tanks (No.531 to No 610) were supposed to be equipped with this new turret by December 1940, but this never happened for obvious reasons.

9 thoughts on “ARL 2C Top Turret for Somua S35

  1. I’m just glad it’s not another WG fake. But I’ll be sticking with the German S35, since that version was mass-produced. More historical accuracy articles please!

      • What does the german has of unhistorical?
        (and could it be changed by WG or not?)

    • You can replace the turret 2 model file with the first one in mods folder then it’s top turret will be the same stock look.

  2. but speaking of the guns SS, exactly how potent was and are to be the guns it will pack?

  3. Since the Somua S35 will be Tier 3 will be surprised if it gets the 47mm SA37, will probably have the 47mm SA35.

    Why am I not surprised that we cant get a regular production version Somua S35 like French used in combat and not some version WG has jacked with and given a glaring target bulls eye weak spot on top of the turret.