Char 2C - The World's Biggest Operational Tank

[@krisfrederick5001]

How? How do you keep finding these stories? It's 80 years later and still seemingly endless knowledge to be had.

[@jerrymartinez902]

Vanity everything is Vanity

[@Luckye45]

plus the amount of details provided almost seem like felton was the main designer of this interesting vehicle. very impressive work!

[@generalharness8266]

KV-V1

[@htos1av]

Got that right! And I've been an avid history fan since watching tv w/Dad decades ago! I almost have never seen any of Mr. Felton's footage.

[@paulallen8109]

@rafanellys Please.

[@Idaho-Cowboy]

Somewhere there is a universe where the British and the French settled their deputes with knights fighting each other in Tog II's vs Char 2C's.

[@loddude5706]

Stood up in 2CVs/VWs with a serf driving . . . ?

[@Flaming1100]

Ah yes , the best time line.

[@charleswood7001]

Tog II had the better gun and would win. : )

[@osmacar5331]

Tog would win

[@lampuhijau9900]

Isekai world ?

[@TitoBoy1968]

"We are being reinforced by a behemoth."

[@joshrayborn1418]

Yup that was so fucking fun when that first came out lol the kings of immersion right there lol

[@VengineerGER]

This is what happens when you give an FT-17 a mushroom from super mario.

[@druisteen]

The best one

[@WorkAlef]

*Renault FT

[@apu_apustaja]

*So when the Germans found them, it was a case of "tanks but no tanks".*

[@scootergeorge9576]

You will be PUN ished for that!!!

[@JustJohn505]

"Friendly behemoth coming our way"

[@yuurichito1439]

😂

[@davidrossi5443]

Are the french on our side? Are they really?

[@bf0019]

it's still a little boy against maus

[@davidthefirst6195]

A tank 20 years out of date in the wrong war

[@JotaLoL]

You are amazing Mr Felton.

[@stealthSGMB]

Now we need a short video on Britain’s Flying Elephant.

[@jdavison8551]

Caesers Legion Centurion Johnson has promised one for every voter after his Brexit.

[@Bill23799]

Followed by the German U-Boot with treads that thought it was a tank.

[@michelangelobuonarroti4958]

Mustard did one

[@crafter170]

Lots of them can be seen on the Ryanair flights from Glasgow to Benidorm.Usually the spandex trousers are worn on the wrong arse.

[@monsieurg8256]

Dumbo ! :D

[@thesovietduck2121]

Char 2C: I'm gigantic Maus: *Hold my fuel*

[@VengineerGER]

Error 404 fuel not found.

[@buster117]

My synthetic fuel*

[@onanthebarbarian9883]

Char 2C: Get back to me when you're operational.

[@usswisconsinbb-6441]

Ratte: My gas fool

[@bryanmartinez6600]

@@davidrossi5443 *IT'S MAUS-KUN!!!*

[@KellingtonDorkswafer]

I see the Germans weren't the only big tank lovers... Even the French wanted a big beefy tank.

[@obelic71]

Germans love their beer cellar and the French their wine cellar. Thats wht those tanks are so huge 🍺😋🍷😋

[@fullnuclearbreakfast]

I mean it makes sense to want a big tank doesn't it. Why are tanks good? Big guns, impenetrable armour and impervious to obstacles, at least in theory. So a tank with a bigger-er gun, impenetrable-er armour and impervious-er to obstacles must be better! Right? Well, they're cool at least.

[@Athrun82]

in the inital phase of the war Germany used mobile and reliable tanks while the Frnech had some of the heaviest and slowest tanks like the Char 2B (not to mention very unreliable tanks). Not to mention French tanks while often impressivley armored, had often only 2 men crews while German tanks had usually 4 or 5 men crews making the German tanks much more efficient.

[@sarjim4381]

The French always loved the concept of huge, multi turret tanks. This was probably a result of having naval architects also working on land tanks. The concept of a land dreadnought seemed perfectly reasonable to them. In addition to this WWI monstrosity, the French designed the WWII version, an even more useless FCM F1, a 140 ton tank that thankfully never got beyond the wooden mockup stage.

[@sargesacker2599]

140 tons? What were they thinking, I don't think bridges and train logistics could handle that. Not to mention 140 tons on paper, actual vehicles tend to go over their paper theories.

[@dsloop3907]

Google "when hotels go to war"

[@gastonjaillet9512]

This concept of huge land cruisers was popular among every major power in the 30s. Almost all of them tried with at least one example: The Tog II and independant for uk, the T-35 and SMK gor for the soviets, the Neubaufahzeug for the germans, and so on... It wasn't a French only mania at all. One deserves objectivity and historical accuracy :)

[@gastonjaillet9512]

@@sargesacker2599 absolutely. This tank made no sense in 1940. However, it was designed during and for WW1, in which it could have been very useful, being able to withstand enemy shells, snipers and crossing trenches ( things the Mark's and Ft's had troubles to do). But they were really only propaganda vehicles at the time of ww2 and were never meant to be used in combat.

[@Stripedbottom]

Not only that, but they even envisaged naval tactics for them - each one of the monsters would have been flanked and escorted by a swarm of several smaller tanks such as FT-17s buzzing around them, much like a battleship with destroyer screen. Talk about megalomania...

[@Pantsugrenadiere]

French gouvernement : so what's the weight of this beast ? Constructor: 69 tonnes monsieur French gouvernement : *PARFAIT*

[@keeperofthecheese]

"peace had broken out" Was that a covert monty python reference?

[@fifervonpiper6707]

That's no tank, that's a damn village on tracks.

[@beanlord4347]

Been on a BF1-Char 2C binge. You, my good sir, have made my day.

[@Duececoupe]

Why I don't watch Discovery, History and National Geographic anymore, Mark Felton Productions! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻

[@LordDarthHarry]

apparently 2 of the tanks received experimental modifications. Before the War Champagne received a new turrent with a 150mm howitzer but was later converted back to the original configuration. Another one was apparently uparmored in 1939 to 90mm at the front and 65mm on the sides, which is pretty damn impressive for something in 1939! Though this made both of them weigh over 70 tonnes.

[@stalkinghorse883]

The special railroad cars used to transport them were not railroad cars in the traditional sense but simply a pair of specialized trucks (bogies) that the tank was attached to with the tank acting as the frame of the car. This is a common practice today to transport very large/heavy loads.

[@wolfd89]

tank designed and built in a ship yard. That should tell you all you need to know.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

6:47 Mark's insight coupled with dry wit makes him the best history commentarian on youube, hands down.

[@marktaylor6491]

The writing at times feel reminiscent of 'The World at War'. Which is, quite possibly, the highest compliment anyone could give it.

[@sonnyd.6777]

"Char 2c left base 5 minutes ago! It will be here by the end of the Vietnam war!!😄😄"

[@spectrumstudios4848]

Yes I’ve been waiting since January for you to do the CHAR 2C

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

My programme list is very long!

[@dimitriskatsoulis4986]

Unbelievable information and amazing naration!!! You Mr Felton are making my evenings thrilling and exciting! Greetings from Greece :)

[@xdolci]

we had one, abandonned, in our small village, the 92 Picardie. Could find out some old photos about it.

[@hughbo52]

Mark, your work is always impressive. Thank you for keeping alive this historical period. Though many are unaware, the impact of WWII is still having repercussions to this day. Thank you!

[@z3r0_35]

It should be noted that there were a couple of modifications to individual Char 2Cs. One of them, Champagne, was experimentally fitted with a new turret and a 155 mm howitzer and dubbed the Char 2C bis. However, it was converted back to standard configuration in 1934 and the experimental turret and gun were repurposed as a static defensive gun in Tunisia. The ‘command tank’ of the Char 2Cs, Lorraine, was also modified during World War II, with its frontal armor increased to 90 mm and the side to 65 mm, increasing the weight to 75 tons. This made Lorraine immune to all German anti-tank guns with the sole exception of the 88 mm Flak 36 AA gun, which was sometimes pressed into service against tanks in a pinch during the invasion of France (usually against Char B1s and Matilda IIs). As for the fate of the last Char 2C, it’s entirely possible that it was lost in battle. With Berlin on the verge of being overrun by the Soviets, the Germans pressed their captured trophy tanks into service in a scratch armored division out of desperation, and this likely included said Char 2C. It probably met its end at the business end of a T-34’s main gun, or a strafing run from an IL-2.

[@harcovanhees394]

That could be true. I remember a picture of a Mark V in Berlin (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_V_tank)

[@82dorrin]

Char 2c: I'm huuuuuuge!!! Maus: Aww, you're so cute!

[@bluespy4050]

Onyx1916 at least the 2c worked right?

[@andresref.2657]

At least the French managed to make the tank operable not like the maus.

[@doogleticker5183]

Gladly, the Maus never made it to operational status...(something about getting it to move, crushing roads and bridges) if it did, then Hitler would have wanted the Ratte, and then who knows...the Hyena?

[@KoeppenLP]

Ratte: Did I hear something?

[@phlvn100]

Onyx1916 well technically the char 2c is longer then the maus

[@BastuGubbar]

the extreme and and possible chance that there might just be a forgotten germany-captured french behemoth in storage in a former soviet warehouse somewhere in the world and that at any point somebody with history knowledge could stumble upon it, excites me to no end.

[@123Dunebuggy]

When u need a shipyard for your tank production.

[@tedhenkle]

“...desire to make money...French industry actively used senior officers...” Nice to see somethings haven’t changed. :)

[@Fofwner]

Imagine what an amazing adventure it would be if tank number 99 was to be found somewhere still intact but long long forgotten!

[@Jermster_91]

Imagine that tank being pushed into service as a last ditch effort.

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

Probably would not have lasted very long at all. To be honest, considering its size it was actually very lightly armored. It might have been the heaviest operational tank ever produced, but it was not the heaviest operational armored vehicle. The jagdtiger was about 71 tons, and considerably dimensionally smaller than this. That should give you an idea of the relative amount of "stuff" packed into each one. (By way of comparison, the Maus tank was slightly smaller than this but fully twice as heavy)

[@DC2022]

A coffin for 12 brothers.

[@stevekillgore9272]

Would have given an infantry battalion pause ...

[@Germanempireaboolilel]

@@DC2022 But you have to admit it would be a real cool coffin.

[@CapitalNick]

2:38 "I'm helping!"

[@captain0080]

9:03 that bright green paint is revolting, sweet jesus.

[@Kevinrothwell1959]

Was that guy at 2:40 trying to give the tank a helping hand!? LOL :-D

[@MineCraftSquad117]

Thank you for great content

[@Kingfisherk26]

As always I'm clicking like before even watching... new upload from Mr Felton and the Tank Museum.... heaven

[@rebeccacooksey112]

Omg mark I have been here many years now I cant believe how much your channel has grown you deserve it mate keep up the good work

[@peteroneill5426]

Perfect for Rupture or Soissons :3 Thanks Mark for covering the 2C and it's unfortunate story!

3:43 "even though peace had broken out". humor so dry it withered my house plants .

[@kinglew0773]

I built a LEGO scale model of this, I’m actually really pleased with the results

[@wweminehead]

Love your videos mark

[@SocialistDistancing]

I love your opening music..

[@robinwood2262]

Great video!

[@snarfinigus]

Great channel, Mark. Always a winner.

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

Tank breaks through wall *Battlefield 1 noises intensify* Soldiers in the trenches "why do I hear boss music?"

[@elias6415]

4:52 me and the boys going to get croissant

[@Velticus]

Notification squad! Love your videos Mark. They are the best thing to watch and listen to on the train ride home. Thank you

[@BrettonFerguson]

The Russian probably attempted to ship it back to Moscow and the bridge collapsed. The Russians not wanting to admit they messed up, covered up the story. You know that is how Russians do things. "Will the bridge hold the weight?" Russian Engineer Answer: "Try it and see if it collapses." That is how they test rockets/space vehicles to see if they work, I would not be surprised to see them do it shipping a tank. Check the river bottoms between Germany and Moscow.

[@Grundag]

Good Morning! Great Video! There is a fellow on the RCTankwarfare forum who has printed up one of these in 1/16 scale. It is fully RC and is an impressive sight for sure.

[@IP0Monsturd]

I could use this on my daily commute.

[@knutdergroe9757]

And watch the bicycles pass you bye......... French rifles are more useful, Shoot once dropped three times...... And that is not fair to the French Infantry. Their officer corps was worst then the Italian officer corps(at least the Italians learned a little faster). My heart goes out to the common Infantry soldiers of the French and Italian Armies their reputation is not justified or deserved. I feel mutinie was very justified. In both wars.

[@london19657]

Another great video. I hadn't even heard of stroboscopic cupolas and just read all about those. Some great minds were at work. Amazing. Thanks again and I'm going to use Patreon(?) to contribute from now on. One of (if not) the best channels on You Tube.

[@Martin-jc8kk]

-How large do you want it to be? -*YES*

[@AHumbleCollector]

I actually have a photo of one of these tanks after they were found by the Germans. You can even see the railway car it was on in the photo. Very neat video!

[@eisenhertz]

fantastic,thanks a lot,Mark!

[@stevenhoman2253]

Thanks for that Mark, as a follower of AFV here's one I've neither heard of or seen.

[@somebody1690]

Char 2c: Expensive failure USS Gerald Ford: Watch my budget

[@johnryder1713]

Germans: what do we have here? Target practice.

[@Bosko423]

Officer: we have a Char coming to help us. Soldier: when is ut gonna be here. Officer: in two days. Lolol

[@andrasbeke3012]

3:44 "...peace had broken out" hahahaha dude wtf

[@premarautela4183]

The fact that you keep making good quality videos daily , surprises me always

[@jakedee4117]

"...industry actively used senior officers and high officials to obtain juicy defense contracts.." Good thing we don't have that problem any more !

[@dougsteel7414]

It's amazing, it breaks every design principle extravagantly.

[@keithallver2450]

The British may have invented the tank but the french were the first to come up with the idea of a tank with a rotating turret so they set the standard for tank design after that.

[@dapinelli]

This entire series is unbelievable. I don't know how he can produce these videos with so much information that has rarely been seen before.

[@Ash007YT]

Just as I suspected when you mentioned this thing in the previous video I was wondering when it would have it's own, It's a behemoth and a half for sure.

[@FQP-7024]

Maus:aww so cute

[@Roope00]

Heyo Ash, nice to see you here

[@vhspartan7066]

Love to see you still posting keep up the vids

[@its_VAFELZ]

I like your channel for the calm but intellectual voice and just like, who doesn't want to know more about war stuff.

[@Thomgxx100]

"Sacré nom de dieu! There's no more champagne in ze tank minibar! Let's split from thez place!"

[@tomweaverling1366]

Mark Felton, you sir are an expert. I'm from the states but I absolutely love your work. It would be awesome if some network would scoop you up and have you do a WW1 and WW2 show. Much love from the states.

[@crafter170]

Another fine video .Tank you.....

[@Harry-TramAnh]

I'm a simple man, I see Mark has a new video, I watch it.

[@JURASSICCOASTMODELLER]

Simply Awesome video!

[@expfcwintergreenv2.02]

2:40 damn that guy pushes that gun around like it weighs nothing

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

Ya, its balanced for efficiency. Just like a massive nuke blast door can be pushed by a 40 lb. child.

[@bigblue6917]

A few brass pipes on the outside with some very large cogs and and we are set for Steampunk.

[@sumdumguy2648]

This was one of the tanks in the Halloween event for WOT a couple of years ago.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Its was hard to keep the Hun Down...At one point in History....Many thanks Doc. From Kentucky..

[@MakayevR29]

What a pity that we never got to see a Char 2C - K-Wagen combat in WW1.

[@oldegrunt5735]

rereading Frieser's The Blitzkrieg Legend, it continuously points out the problems the Heer had w/the Char Bs...just thinking of meeting these Char Cs must have been a gut buster for those panzer crews (especially the Mk1 & IIs)

[@michaelpielorz9710]

The Maginot - Line on chains ? French Humor.

[@premarautela4183]

I haven't watched the video but I know it is going to be good

[@Swans_And_Ducks]

Fun fact. This tank had more reverse gears than forward ones.

[@spring-jo8xv]

great vid 😊👏👏

[@WildBillCox13]

An innovative design. Char 2C debuted the world's first three man turret on a tank; a standard to which superior designs were held until the 1950s.

[@AlexVanChezlaw]

My favorite prewar tank of all time. So dumb so big yet so cool looking

[@MaskHysteria]

Another excellent video Dr. Felton. Many thanks for the wonderful content!

[@oveidasinclair982]

I believe the Jerry's MKIII's and 37mm anti tank guns could have easily took these massive white elephants out rather quick like.

[@scottland8698]

Oveida Sinclair well their armor was like, less then an inch thick I think, so I’m pretty sure AT rifles might be able to punch a hole in it

[@skriv0in0navn]

a Panzer 2 would make quick work of one

[@MrHockeycrack]

Yeah obviously this Char was obsolete already that time. Could have been useful as fortified turrets maybe.

[@patrickhorvath2684]

A 50 BMG, introduced in 1920, would turn that frog tub into swiss cheese

[@jmartin9785]

Oveida Sinclair Yeah! Or a Panzerfaust! 💥🔥

[@angeledduirbonesu1989]

The M1A2-2C (2C like the French tank) almost catches it in weight with its 66.9 tons. Nothing strange that some special armoured version could be even higher. I will investigate about this

[@DC2022]

Well, Challenger 2 TES weight 75t... This poor thing is barely mobile being the heaviest western tank (by 10t!) and having the smallest engine (1200cv...) asking to be put down behind the barn.

[@alexkhakhlary3834]

4:00 I dunno bout you but that made me giggle 😙

[@viridisquo]

Great channel, friend! From Italy.

[@misterjag]

According to Wikipedia, Stroboscopic cupolas consist of an outer and an inner cylinder, both pierced by vertical vision slits. Rotating them creates the stroboscopic illusion that the cupola disappeared giving a better perception of the surroundings, while the head still has a degree of protection.

[@IloveBaguette]

12 men crew the Char 2C. a driver, commander, gunner, loader, 4 machine gunners, mechanic, electrician, asst. electrician mechanic, radio operator, combat engineer, navigator, artillery spotter, medic, sanitation officer, cook, division commander, mortar crew of 3, and a squad of infantry.

[@aaronwynowsky4111]

Love your videos keep up the great work mark

[@mrpirate3470]

Yay a new video : *hits like, then play* :)

[@rugby-freak69]

Love all your videos!

[@hrbestalkinme3690]

5:35 Thats about 12 miles per fuel tank :)

[@reufuraque8771]

char 2c: the trophy wife of the french army char B1: the hard working,competent,long suffering misstress.

[@ShuttleFactoryScaleModels]

Another fantastic Video by Dr Felton on this French monster. After seeing this am I the only one hoping he might cover the Soviet 5 turreted behemoth, the T-35 heavy tank in another video.

[@A-Non_kma]

Very nice presentation and visuals. Thank you for making this video and sharing it with the world.