The Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon

The Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon truck consisted of a conventional cabin and had an all-wheel drive, a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels. All Wheel Drive feature had set it apart from the rest of the military vehicles being manufactured during that time!

Panhard- The French Automotive Company

Panhard manufacturing company was originally called Panhard et Levassor. It was established in 1890 by three comrades, René Panhard, Émile Levassor, and Edouard Sarazin.

Louis François René Panhard, a pioneer of the automobile industry in France, was an engineer and a merchant.

Émile Constant Levassor was a pioneer of the automobile industry and car racing in France. He was also an engineer.

Edouard Sarazin was a Belgian lawyer and he was also Gottlieb Daimler’s distribution partner.

Founded in 1890, Panhard, the French motor vehicle manufacturing company was one of the largest automobile producers in France before the First World War. It manufactured light tactical and military vehicles and is credited as one of the first French automobile manufacturers. Panhard et Levassor’s first automobile was based on a Daimler engine licence and was sold in 1890.

During the war, Panhard, like other leading automobile manufacturers of that time, started manufacturing as per the requirements of the War. It produced a large number of military trucks designed for supplying troops and supplies to the battlefield.

Early Development

In 1910, the French government sponsored trials of new traction systems. A retired French military man who was surnamed DePort decided to develop a new vehicle with all wheel drive system. DePort was the technical advisor of a metallurgical company. The company was called Compagnie des Forges de Châtillon-Commentry. He developed the new vehicle in partnership with the automotive company Société des Anciens Établissements Panhard et Levassor.

The new vehicle manufactured by Panhard et Levassor, was called the Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon (or Châtillon-Panhard).

Military Vehicle Test

The prototype that was developed first was called Panhard-Châtillon K8 and it was a Truck with all wheel drive designed for difficult terrains. Panhard-Châtillon K8 was put to test by the French Military along with the other vehicles that were designed for rough terrains. The Military tests were carried out in 1911, 1912 and 1913.

After the tests, heavy modifications were carried out in Panhard-Châtillon K8 in the year 1913 and the K8 Vehicle was upgraded as Panhard-Châtillon K11 after the modifications.

During the initial tests, the Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon had performed well and the officers seemed quite impressed. However, when further tests were conducted in 1914, it failed along with the other vehicles designed for difficult terrain. Some more tests were conducted thereafter and once the officers were satisfied the results and the vehicle met all the requirements, The French military placed an order for about 50 vehicles.

More About The Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon

The Panhard-Châtillon had an 8.8-litre petrol engine. It delivered power between 40 metric hp and 42 metric hp.

During the initial tests, the vehicle was equipped with a 6.6-litre engine. It delivered 45 metric horsepower at about 1,000 rpm.

The truck did not have universal joints. It mounted a central differential gear and had a 3-speed gearbox.

The Panhard-Châtillon had a four-wheel steering system. This system linked the parallel wheels and not the wheels on the same axle. This gave the Châtillon-Panhard a closer radius when turning, as compared to the other vehicles. The wheels of the vehicle were made of cast steel.

The wheelbase of the truck was 3,320 mm. The length was 4,850 mm and the width was 1,450 mm. The height of the vehicle was 1,000 mm when calculated without the roof.

The heavier versions had slightly larger dimensions. It had a payload capacity of 2,430 kilograms. It could haul about 15 tonnes of weight.

Payload capacity is different from hauling capacity. While payload capacity is the amount of weight the vehicle can carry, and the hauling capacity of a vehicle is the amount of weight it can pull.

The First Battle of the Marne (September 6–12, 1914)

During World War I, the Germans had invaded Belgium and northeastern France, and were advancing towards Paris. The First Battle of the Marne was fought by the French army and the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) against the advancing Germans.

During the First Battle of the Marne, the Panhard-Châtillons were the only hauling transports used by France for its artillery units that were not horse-drawn.

Fate of Panhard-Châtillons

From 1913 to 1915, Panhard manufactured around 100 K11s. Later, they were replaced by Latil TARs and Renault EGs. And none were in service by 1918.

In 1915, Panhard introduced a lighter variant which was called the Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon K13. From September 1915 to November 1919, 690 units were produced.

Some of the Panhard K13s were still in French Army Service, and were employed during the Battle of France in 1940. These vehicles were used mostly as gun-carriers for the 75 mm gun.

The Battle of France , (May 10–June 25, 1940)

The Battle of France was fought during World War II. The German Army moved towards Paris, and captured the city on 14 June 1940. France surrendered to the Nazis just after six weeks, on 25 June 1940.

Through this article, we discussed the story of the all-wheel drive truck, The Tracteur Panhard-Châtillon, manufactured by the French Automotive Company Panhard between 1911 and 1918. Some of the Panhard trucks were in French Army service till 1940 and were employed in the Battle of France during the Second World War.

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