AMX-50
In service Prototype only (1949-1958) - 1958
Prototypes only. France's postwar heavy tank, notable for its oscillating autoloading turret - the idea that later worked brilliantly on the small AMX-13.
Built byAtelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
Development history
France wanted a heavy tank of its own after 1945 and drew on captured German engineering, including a Maybach engine and Panther-derived suspension thinking. The distinctive feature was the oscillating turret: the gun was fixed in an upper section that pivoted as a whole, which allowed a simple autoloader and a three-man crew. Versions were tested with 90 mm, 100 mm and finally 120 mm guns between 1949 and 1958. The programme died because the concept could not be sealed against nuclear-biological-chemical contamination, American aid made M47s available cheaply, and French doctrine shifted to the lighter AMX-30. The oscillating turret survived on the AMX-13. A prototype is preserved at Saumur.
Variants
One canonical record, 3 recorded variants.
AMX-50 100
1949First prototypes with a 100 mm gun in an oscillating turret.
AMX-50 120
1951Up-gunned with a 120 mm weapon and heavier turret.
AMX-50 Surbaisse
1956Lowered hull and redesigned turret; final form before cancellation.