There was one operational Saint-Chamond type that was modifed on a number of occasions, and a second, rhomboid model that never got off the drawing-board. During the life of the operational type there were modifications to its roof, the tracks were widened (more than once IIRC), the cannon was changed, spaced armour was added, and the layout and number of cupolas were changed. But they were all part of the original order for 400 vehicles. By late 1918 I believe the various modified vehicles were rather jumbled up, but I think many of the flat-roofed type had been relegated to transport/supply/recovery duties. You should find most of the details here: http://www.landships.freeservers.com/stchamond_walkaround.htm
-- Edited by James H on Monday 20th of August 2012 02:10:52 PM
__________________
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
From Lawrynowicz's book on the Schneider CA and St Chamond:
Actions where US troops were supported
Cantigny 28 May 1918 - 12 Schneider CA
Soissons 18 July 1918 - 1st American - 48 Schneider CA, 2nd American - 60 St Chamond
St Mihiel 12 Sept 1918 - 59 Schneider and St Chamond - the soft ground meant the heavy tanks were only used to a limited extent
Argonne Forest 25 Sept 1918 - 28 Schneider CA
After Oct 1918 the Schneider and St Chamond tanks were worn out and they were withdrawn from front line service.
I'm not sure about there being two versions of the St Chamond. There were a total of 400 built during the production run - numerous changes
were made to the tank. The first 165 had a 75mm St Chamond gun, after this the 75mm Mle 1897 gun was used. The roof was initially flat
but this was changed to a pitched roof. The initial model had 3 observation turrets, this was increased to 4 when a ventilator for gun smoke was added.
All the turrets were removed when it was found that the turrets were easily shot off, eventually a turret was restored for the driver. I think you're
taking the modern designations of "early" and "late" as different versions - this isn't so.
Modelltrans makes a really nice S:t Chamond (don't remember which type though), and Wespe makes a couple of different Schneiders. All resin kits, ofcourse.
There are several available Schneiders and Saint-Chamonds in resin. They are, of course, expensive. Creekers will be aware of HäT's Renault FT, but we should also remember that Strelets promised an injection-moulded Schneider and Saint-Chamond about twelve months ago.
__________________
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
Hi Mike "Reviresco" do some metal kits and I believe are on your side of the pond.... they have a good many models that would be usefull all the french armor plus Quads and Ford trucks etc... probarbly more rugged then resin their intended for gaming...
As to card models, I have about 50 card buildings in my collection. I don't really like them very much. They have the advantage of being very cheap, sometimes even free and I use them for background buildings, particularly for periods that are not very important to me. I don't like them for vehicles, the ham fisted gorillas that I wargame with would kill them off pretty quickly. A friend of mine gave me a Renault FT master about 25 years ago and I cast up about 100 of them, so I am good with those.
I have purchased from Reviresco many times, since about 1973. His HO scale Pershing and JS-II were made at my request and up front money, photos and drawings that I provided him. My WWII and Modern vehicle collection is 1/87th scale. Even now John McEwan is working on an Automaton project for me. There are photos of them on my Bunker Talk blog.
Strelets promised WWI era artillery even longer ago than a year and we are still waiting. I don't think I want to wait for their tanks, I fear it could be years yet.
I will check out some of those others, thanks to all of you for this information. I am sure I will have more questions soon.