Mark V* (Star)

The Mark V * (star) was an extended Mark V and had improved crossing capabilities.

At the beginning of the year 1918, France ran the risk of missing of tanks, because the Renault FT was just starting to be produced and therefore not available in quantity ... and the brave old Schneider and Saint-Chamond are burnt .. Meanwhile, an order of 200 tanks type Mark V * is made to the British who will deliver a hundred copies before the armistice but none was engaged in combat.
These tanks were definitely reformed in July 1931, having reached the limit of wear; in lack of spare parts and ammunition of 57mm.

One of the few French tanks with a camouflage. The letters CE on the flanks mean "Echelon Company" which means that this tank was used as an utility vehicle.

Tank rearmed with 75mm BS guns recovered on Schneider tank. The tanks delivered by the British were not new and retained their original mark for a period probably.

DATA

General

Crew: 8
Weight: 25500 kg
Length: 8.05 m - Height: 2.63 m - Width: 3.55 m - Ground Clearance: 0.42 m

Armament

Main armament: 2 x 6-pounder (57-mm) 6 cwt QF guns or 75mm Blockhaus Schneider (BS) guns
Secondary armament: 4 x .303 in (7.7-mm) Hotchkiss Mk 1 Machine Gun or
4 × 8 mm Hotchkiss M1914 machine guns

Armor

Assembly: riveting
Thickness (max): 16 mm

Automotive

Engine: 125 hp
Suspension: unsprung
Power/weight: 24 hp/t

Performances

Speed: 7.5 km/h(on road)
Range: 55 km (on road)

Sources

Les Chars français