AMX 40 cruiser tank

They were impressed by the British Cruiser Mk III and decided to make an improved cavalry tank based on it which would later be known as AMX 40.

[1][2] After the start of World War II, development of the AMX 40 commenced in March 1940 under the leadership of Joseph Molinié from Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux.

The frontal armor had a nominal thickness of 60mm, although surviving drawings suggest that the heavily sloped upper glacis was somewhat thinner.

It was believed that this system would allow the loader to continuously grab magazines without needing to crawl around inside the hull.

The choice of diesel fuel significantly increased safety by preventing ignition at room temperature.

A 220 hp (160 kW), six-cylinder version of the Aster engine was under development The chassis had eight road wheels of 82 cm diameter, on a horizontally-sprung Christie suspension.