The Char 2C is a bit of a “what-if” tank for the Vespers War, since the development program for it was initiated in 1916 but the vehicles weren’t completed until 1921 (or 1923, depending on if one includes the immediate modifications of the tanks after initial delivery). Part of the delay was intentional; General Petain wanted them canceled until Colonel Estienne, head of tank development, reminded him that the delivery of Anglo-American Liberty tanks to the French was contingent on them developing their own heavy tank. In order to comply with the letter of that agreement, development was deliberately stretched out as long as possible. Once the war ended, 10 were completed to use up excess capacity in heavy manufacturing factories.
