Questions reagrding the ARL V 39 and SAu-40

[SGTGunn]

Hi,

I'm working on some what-if French equipment (SHP & OOB)- in particular the Somua S-40 (icon done), and the SAu-40 and ARL V 39 assault guns (icons in progress). The question I have is that the photos I've seen of both assault guns show them with a small cupola or turret, but it appears to be unarmed. It looks like a pretty typical French 1-man turret, just without any gun. Written references (what few there are) indicate that both vehicles were armed only with the APX 75mm gun, but it seems odd to me to bother with the cost and weight (and to increase the height of the vehicle) of what appears to be a fully traversing turret without putting some kind of armament in it - even just a 7.5mm MG for local defense. So I'm wondering is the turret armament simply missing in the prototype photos or is it just an overdone commander's cupola. Does anyone have any clue?

Thanks!

Adrian

[Marcello]

http://www.chars-francais.net/images...40/sau40_3.jpg

It looks like a turret with a machinegun

[SGTGunn]

Thanks Marcello!

I agree, it looks like an MG turret - which is good, because that's what I gave it on my SHP & OOB =)

Adrian