Hello Gentlemen

It’s been awhile, I have been looking through some old files and I came across photo’s and information regarding the "Tanque Salinas"  Mexican Heavy Tank of 1917 I thought it may induce some interesting conversations. The information is translated so I am sorry if some of it does not read very clear.

"Tanque Salinas"

Heavy Tank

Official designation:
Alternative notation: "Tanque Salinas", "TNCA Salinas"
Start of planning: 1917
Built the first prototype: 1917
Stage of Completion: one prototype was built.

The Mexican Revolution of 1910-1921 years. "Bore" not only many ardent revolutionaries, but also a number of unique samples of armored vehicles. It is "armored", because it was previously assumed that in addition to improvised armored vehicles produced in the piece quantities, the Mexicans could not create anything.

The idea to create a full tank, which could easily be classified as "heavy", owned by Alberto Salinas Carranza. The project was created under the obvious influence of the British "rhombus" type Mark I, although the specifics of fighting in Mexico was strikingly different from that of the Western Front. A detailed description of the design of this machine is currently missing. Nevertheless, in accordance with pictures can be assumed that in the chassis used  Heavy Multi-roller Chassis with blocked suspension rollers, front rails and rear driving wheels. The upper branch track chain assembled of steel tracks, apparently supports the metal guide rails.

Tank shell in construction and arrangement differed little from their "grandparent". The main feature was a large artillery mount embrasure oblique frontal armor plate, and machine guns in the side sponsons. The housing is mounted on the roof of the massive box-cutting, where the space for the driver and the vehicle commander. Thus, the complete tank crew could consist of 6-8 people. As for the power plant, it can be assumed that the tank was equipped with a gasoline engine power 90-100 hp and manual transmission.

Arm tank going, neither more nor less,  turret gun design hotchkiss caliber 47 mm. These guns were intended mainly to equip the ships, but they found application not only at sea. Their main advantage was a good accuracy of fire, but it can be realized only in the melee. The disadvantage of the turret gun was her weight, which together with the pedestal was about 580 kg. At the same time, as a definite advantage may be noted magazine-loading.

Construction of the first prototype was made by Talleres Nacionales de Construcciones Aeronauticas (TNCA), located in g.Balbuena. These aircraft workshops had very modern equipment and aircraft engaged in small-scale production. Apparently, the assembly of the tank took a little time since his first photos date from the year 1917. In foreign sources call it "Tanque Salinas" or "TNCA Salinas".

No information regarding the testing of the first Mexican tank could not be found. Apparently, sea trials, he still did. Mexican sources suggest that the number of "Tanque Salinas" could be more than one, but given the dire economic situation of the country at this very difficult to believe. It is also argued that the prototype tank owned constitutionalist Army, took part in battles with rebels in the final stage of the revolutionary events. Estimated in 1921-1922. "Tanque Salinas" decommissioned and sent to the Air Force base in Balbuene (it is possible that the tank never left its territory), where he was to live out his life. Ultimately, after buying the 1930s. Party tanks Marmon-Herrington, this unique specimen armor was scrapped.

Sources:
Todo Por Mexico!!!: LA HISTORIA DEL ARMA BLINDADA
TNCA Salinas: El primer tanque mexicano

BASIC DATA heavy tanks
"Tanque Salinas" sample 1917