Panhard 178 - AMD 35

Description

Known as Panhard 178 by its maker, AMD 35 P (Auto Mitrailleuse de Découverte modèle 1935 Panhard) by the army and "pan-pan" by the troops, this was a modern and sophisticated armoured car; an up-gunned 47mm version of which saw service as late as 1960.

Two Panhard 178 armoured cars in 12mm from Minifigs. I think the model is slightly out of
proportion being a little too long for my taste!

Development

Between 1931-1932  the French Cavalry drew up plans for a long range reconnaissance armoured car (Automitrailleuse de Découverte or AMD). The car should have a weight of four tonnes, a range of 400km, a maximum speed of 70km/h, a crusing speed of  40km/h, and be armed with a 20mm gun and a 7.5mm machine-gun. 

Panhard 178 by Pithead Miniatures.

In 1933 Panhard was chosen to build the prototype which was completed early the following year. The prototype was considerably larger and heavier than specified and only armed with a 13.2mm heavy machine-gun. After testing by the cavalry, the first order was placed in December 1934 for 30 vehicles armed with a 25mm gun and a 7.5mm machine-gun in the APX3 turret.

In May 1940, Renault produced a new turret with a much more powerful 47 mm SA 35 gun; the resulting vehicle being called the Panhard 178 B. The larger gun required the back of the new octagonal turret to be raised resulting in a wedge-shaped profile. At least one vehicle saw action against the Germans.

Operation

Radio

A converted Panhard 178 Squadron Commander's car and two troop cars. Models from Minifigs.

Normally the Panhard 178 was not equipped with radio. 

The platoon commander's vehicle was equipped with a ER 29 mle 1939 radio with a range of 5 km.

The squadron commander's vehicle was equpped with a ER 26 ter radio with a range of 30 km (moving) or 60 km (stationary).

A Panhard 178 commander's vehicle.

There was also radio command version, the Panhard 178 commandement, with the turret fixed in place and without armament. Each battalion and squadron headquarters of the Deep Reconnaissance Regiment (RD - Régiment de Découverte) had one radio command equipped vehicle. The radio command version was equipped with a ER 27 radio, giving a range of 50 km (voice) or 100 km (morse), and two ER 26 ter sets with a range of 30 km (moving) or 60 km (stationary) for communications within the squadron.

A Panhard 178 commandement; unarmed radio command version.

Deployment

The Panhard 178 equipped:

• The deep reconnaissance regiment (RD) of the Light Mechanized Divisions (DLM) - 48 vehicles.
• The armoured car regiment (RAM) of the Light Cavalry Division (DLC) - 15 vehicles.
• The deep reconnaissance squadron of the Motorised Infantry Division Reconnaissance Battalion (GRDIm) - 15 vehicles.

10th May 1940

When the Germans's attacked the French army had the following Panhard 178 armoured cars on active service totalling 257 armoured cars, 24 radio armored cars and 34 reserve armored cars.

• 1st GRDIm: 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 5th DIM - also 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16)
• 2nd GRDIm: 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 9th DIM - also 13 Hotchkiss H-39)
• 3rd GRDIm: 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 12th DIM - also 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16)
• 5th GRDIm: 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 25th DIM - also 13 Hotchkiss H-39)
• 6th GRDIm: 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 3rd DIM - also 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16 and 4 AMR35 ZT3)
• 7th GRDIm: 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 1st DIM - also 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16 and 4 AMR35 ZT3)
• 32nd GRDI: 5 Panhard 178 (part of the 43rd DI)
• 1st RAM : 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 1st DLC)
• 2nd RAM : 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 2nd DLC)
• 3rd RAM : 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 3rd DLC)
• 4th RAM : 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 4th DLC)
• 5th RAM : 12 Panhard 178 + 1 radio command + 2 reserve (part of the 5th DLC)
• 6th RC : 40 Panhard 178 + 4 radio command + 4 reserve (part of the 1st DLM)
• 8th RC : 40 Panhard 178 + 4 radio command + 4 reserve (part of the 2nd DLM)
• 12th RC : 40 Panhard 178 + 4 radio command cars + 4 reserve (part of the 3rd DLM)

During the fighting the following were added.

• 10th RC : 40 Panhard 178 + 4 radio command + 4 reserve (part of the 4th DCR)

A Panhard 178 and two motorcycles with side-cars on reconnaissance; 12mm from Minifigs.
The house is by Timecast, fruit tree by Pico and fences by Kestrel.
The French army mixed armoured cars and motorcycles in  the RD, RAM and GRDIm.

Technical Data