Chapter 366 Additional Armor

Amid the flying catkins of the sycamore trees, Laurent drove Charles to the tank base.

This was not a good experience. The cars of that era were semi-open. If the car went too fast, the fruit hairs would fall on Charles' face in the strong wind, and sometimes even get into his eyes and nostrils, causing pain and itchiness.

Charles had to pull down his military cap and raise his collar to cover his mouth and nose, as if he was too embarrassed to face anyone.

There were still people on both sides of the street who recognized Charles. They waved to him excitedly, and some even jogged after the car for a while.

Ciel thought this was boring. What would it mean to catch up with him? To express admiration or to ask for an autograph? What would it mean to them?

After more than half an hour, the car finally arrived at its destination.

Perhaps because there are fewer sycamore trees in this area, there are fewer fruit hairs in the air.

Brownie and Estiny, who knew the news in advance, greeted them at the gate of the base with several guards.

As soon as they saw Charles' car, they came over with a smile.

"Long time no see, General," Brownie said, with a look of kindness and a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Brownie couldn't believe that the "little guy" who rode the bicycle had become like this. Although his appearance had not changed much upon closer inspection, he had changed a lot overall, so much so that he almost didn't recognize him.

Estiny didn't care about these. He was holding a thick briefcase in his hand, and it seemed that he had a lot of questions waiting to be discussed with Charles at this moment.

Charles first inspected the training of the tank brigade and felt satisfied overall.

In the past, the tanks and infantry of the 1st Tank Brigade were separated, with one tank regiment and one infantry regiment. During battle, the infantry would be temporarily assigned to the tank regiment to follow the advance.

Browne explained: "I was thinking, if we have to distribute it every time we go to the battlefield, why not do it before the battle?"

This is more practical, Charles thought, and it also proves that Brownie and Estiny are qualified commanders. Under their command, the tank brigade is moving in a more reasonable and correct direction.

Then Estiny couldn't wait to bring Charles into the laboratory of the base.

This was set up by Estiny himself and is considered a branch of the tractor factory's research institute. Here he can test and improve the tanks more conveniently.

The laboratory was not very big, about one hundred square meters, and was a simple tent supported by waterproof canvas. Tools and parts were piled everywhere inside, and in the middle were two "Charger A1" vehicles parked, which were either being repaired or improved.

Estiny said impatiently: "Perhaps you know that our tank engine has surpassed the 'Holt 120' and reached 130 horsepower."

Charles said "hmm", this was all thanks to Matthew.

After studying in an aircraft manufacturing factory for a period of time, he improved the engine and successfully overtook the opponent.

Although the overtaking is not much, only 10 horsepower more than the "Holt 120", and it is not stable enough, but it is just a matter of time.

"In this case, I plan to replace it with a larger caliber gun." Estiny came up with the documents and showed a design drawing in front of Charles. "I want to install a 75mm gun. I thought the extra horsepower would be enough to carry its weight, but I found that this was not the case."

"The breech block is too long?" asked Charles.

Carrying artillery on a tank is not just a matter of weight. The barrel is outside the body of the tank, and the breech block is inside the body of the tank.

If the tank turret is not large enough, the longer breech block of a large-caliber gun will press against the roof or side of the turret.

"Yes." Estiny looked at Charles with a hint of shock. "This makes its elevation angle very low. It can be said that it can hardly turn. There is no extra space for the gunner."

"It needs a new gun," Charles replied, "and a new turret."

This is determined by the space in the tank compartment, there is no better way.

"It would be much easier if we used the extra horsepower on armor," Ciel suggested.

"You are right, General." Estiny agreed, but he did not seem to be very interested in this: "It is indeed easier to add armor, but I don't think it is necessary."

As he spoke, Estiny flipped through his briefcase, pulled out a data sheet and handed it over: "This is the firepower summary of the German A7V, a 57MM caliber cannon and 6 Maxim machine guns."

Hearing this, Charles understood.

The front armor of "Char A1" is 25MM.

The 57MM artillery can penetrate it, but the 6 Maxim machine guns cannot.

Even if its armor is increased, for example, strengthened to 30MM, it is still possible for the 57mm gun to penetrate it, but not for six Maxim machine guns.

As a result, the increased armor becomes meaningless in actual combat.

No wonder Astinho was so focused on increasing the caliber of his artillery rather than increasing armor.

Charles smiled and said, "We may have to face more than just A7V, Colonel."

"You mean..." Estiny looked at Charles in confusion.

"We are making progress, and so are our enemies." Charles replied, "Last time, our 'Charr A1' defeated the German A7V without even a chance to fire. Do you think they will continue to use this tank?"

Estinni lost all color in an instant, and he realized that he had made a mistake: all the designs were aimed at the enemy's A7V.

Consider again: if the enemy also develops new tanks, and requires them to be ready for battle in a short time...

Aistiny looked up at Ciel with some anxiety in his eyes: "General, the enemy is likely to learn from the 'Ciel A1' and launch a light tank similar to it."

"Yes." Charles nodded. "And there will probably be a small-caliber artillery similar to our 37mm gun. At this time, it will be necessary to strengthen the front armor."

Colonel Estiny regretted it deeply, as his previous judgment was no longer valid.

Stacking defense is not only useful but also very useful because it means that the enemy can't hit us, but we can hit the enemy.

Thinking of this, Estiny said distressedly: "It's my fault, General. It seems too late to strengthen the armor now. We need to re-produce the front armor and consider its weight. Then we have to rework everything..."

He was talking about removing the old armor and installing the new one, which is not something that can be accomplished in a short period of time, especially since the tank brigade still has more than 200 tanks.

"No." Charles shook his head: "We can produce additional armor."

"Additional armor?" Estiny looked confused. This was a new term for him.

But he quickly understood the meaning of the word "additional" and exclaimed: "Yes, General, additional armor! It's so simple that I didn't think of it. What a fool I am!"

Estinius was certainly no fool.

Every step of development and every innovation of the tank has been achieved step by step in the long river of history, and many people have made mistakes and even gone in the wrong direction.

(End of this chapter)