Chapter 179 Renault Tank

"My name is Estiny, sir, nice to meet you!" Colonel Estiny introduced himself to Matthew.

"Matthew, from the Mechanical Department!" Matthew smiled and responded: "We have met many times!"

"Yes, of course!" Colonel Estiny's expression was a little embarrassed.

He had always thought that Matthew was just an ordinary worker, and a disabled worker... In this era, another meaning of disability is that you are eliminated and can only rely on others to live.

Therefore, Colonel Estiny has not had much contact with Matthew until today when he suddenly discovered that Matthew actually had such talent.

In Matthew's eyes, he thought that Colonel Estiny was just an ordinary commander before, but he didn't expect that he seemed to have in-depth research on tanks.

Charles ignored the two of them. He took a pencil and drew quickly on the manuscript paper. His drawing skills were not good and crooked, but it didn't matter.

It was finished soon, and he handed the sketch to Matthew: "Look at this, Matthew! Maybe we can design the road wheels like this, divided into several groups, each with four road wheels!"

Joseph came up curiously to take a look, he didn't quite understand the design: "This... what's the point, Master Charles?"

But Matthew and Estiny only glanced at the sketch and looked incredulous.

"No, no, it makes sense!" Colonel Estiny looked uncertain, he pointed at the triangular structure and looked at Charles, asking: "It's dynamic, right? I mean, they are active, right, Lieutenant?"

"Yes!" Charles gave an affirmative answer: "The various parts of the triangle can be connected with hydraulic shock absorbers, so of course, they are dynamic."

"This obviously can achieve better shock absorption!" Matthew's eyes stayed on the sketch, as if looking at a treasure map: "It's not even just shock absorption, this is determined by its special structure. Once stressed, these wheels will open horizontally, and the track will sink in this part... God , which can achieve different tensions for each set of road wheels, and the track will be as soft as a dough soaked in water! "

"This can achieve a certain balance for the body!" Colonel Estiny immediately thought: "Because the track is as soft as a dough, the body will maintain a certain degree of level, which not only increases the comfort of the members, but also makes it easier for the machine gunner to aim at the target! God, it's a genius design!"

"You...how did you think of it, Charles?" Matthew was a little ashamed, he looked back at his model: "Compared with your idea, mine is simply a child's toy!"

"You have done a good job, Matthew!" Charles replied.

Charles was telling the truth.

Matthew's progress was normal, first springs, then hydraulics, and then slowly improved in constant attempts until a triangular suspension appeared... Renault took a total of one year and three months from receiving the R\u0026D project to producing a prototype.

What Charles did was just ignore the process and directly draw the result.

The suspension issue came to an end, and Charles turned his eyes to Colonel Estiny and asked, "What's your question, Colonel?"

"Well, it's like this." Colonel Estiny replied, "My idea has actually been partially solved. During this period, I was thinking that since the main function of the tank is to provide cover for the infantry and cooperate with the infantry to break through the defense line, can the tank be lightened to increase the speed and range!"

Colonel Estiny glanced at Matthew and Charles and said, "The method you just used to increase the hydraulic shock absorption can already increase the speed of the tank, but I think... maybe the performance of the tank can be improved comprehensively, so that the regret of the last time in La Fox will not happen again!"

La Fox is undoubtedly a victory for everyone, and Colonel Estiny also thinks so, but he still has regrets.

The reason is that the "Mark I" cannot realize his "swarm tactics".

His "swarm tactics" requires tanks to be able to penetrate deep into the enemy's defense line to "turn the pieces into a whole" or "turn the whole into pieces" to attack various strategic locations, which requires tanks to have comparable mobility.

The Mark I obviously could not meet the requirements of the "swarm tactics".

Charles understood what he wanted: "So, do you think we should develop a light tank?"

"Yes, you are right, Lieutenant!" Major Estiny nodded repeatedly: "Light tanks are likely to meet our combat needs. As long as its front armor is thick enough to block bullets, and as long as the design is good enough, it can still cross trenches, so why do we need such a big guy? If it can run faster and farther, can it play a greater role on the battlefield?"

Charles was not surprised at all. In history, it was he who proposed such a design requirement to the military, and Renault designed the Renault tank that only requires two people to operate and weighs only 7 tons based on the needs of the military.

Facts have proved that the combat effectiveness of the Renault tank is better than other tanks that are like armed fortresses. It is even called the ancestor of tanks.

"I agree to do this!" Charles turned his eyes to the "Mark I" tank parked in the center of the institute and said, "So, it has come to an end, and we need a brand new tank. This tank must have..."

Charles retracted his gaze and looked at Matthew: "You are responsible for the chassis, Matthew, just like we said just now."

"No problem!" Matthew was full of confidence.

There are drawings, parts, and a complete set of machinery for producing hydraulic shock absorbers. It seems that all he has to do is to put them together.

Charles turned his attention to Estini again: "The tank design is left to you, Colonel!"

"At your service, Lieutenant!" replied Estiny.

After a pause, Estini said with some concern: "There is a problem, Lieutenant. If we want to reduce the weight, we must reduce the number of personnel and weapons. In the extreme case, it may only need one machine gun, but in this way we It cannot take into account the sides, and its side armor must be thin..."

Charles blurted out: "Then design a turret that can rotate, Colonel!"

Colonel Estini stood there with his mouth wide open for a moment, as if frozen. It took him a while to react, and he shouted excitedly: "You're right, Lieutenant, rotating turret, why didn't I think of this! Everything!" All solved! God! I can almost see it!"

A weird smile appeared on Matthew's lips. Was this tank really designed by him and Estini?

Didn't Ciel design it into two parts and stuff them into their heads?