Roac tank
| Roac Type 1924 Tanca | |
|---|---|
 The Type 24 Tank. | |
| Type | Tanca Medium Tank |
| Place of origin | Faneria |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Second Great War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Gregory Felway |
| Designed | 1918-1924 |
| Manufacturer | National Armor Plant |
| Produced | 1923-1925 |
| No. built |
|
| Specifications | |
| Crew | 2 (1921), 3 (1924) |
| Maximum speed | 4 mph (1921), 14 mph (1924) |
The Roac (Aenglish:Rook) refers to two related medium tanks, the Type 21 and Type 24, which were first and second tracked tanks produced by Faneria. A close copy of the Burgundine-export CtP 17 infantry support tankette, the Type 21 was designed to survive early AT weapons and mines, and was built in small numbers for the National Army of Faneria. The Type 24 was the first true natively-designed vehicle, and was largely based off similar principles as the CtP 17.
Design History
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With the test performance of Burgundine armor in exercises and the early Tíotán tank's propaganda value, the National Army of Faneria sought a practical tank to operate in an infantry support role capable of surviving contemporary anti-tank rifles. With little practical experience, the National Armor Plant, founded in 1910, had only actually produced armored cars and trains up to that point, and the simplest solution was the purchase of Burgundine armor for dissection. Gregory Felway, creator of the Tíotán, was director of the Plant at the time, and his alterations to the CtP 17 resulted in a much bulkier chassis and a larger engine, primarily to increase survivability, cover for infantry behind the vehicle, and to improve its ability to crush down barbed wire. Several examples were produced, but the project was suspended due to the failure of the prototypes to handle earthworks and sometimes even maintain an acceptable speed.
The Type 24 Rook was significantly altered, sharing almost no similarities with the Type 21; however, the name was maintained between versions as the Type 24 was intended to be the completed version of the Roac and the official first self-produced modern armor in use by the Fhainnin Army. The Type 24 Tank features a larger turret, lighter construction, and a significantly better track system, but was simplistic compared to other designs produced in the 1920s and was not enough to prevent Felway from being removed from all future projects.
Service
The Type 21 tank was notable for its weak armament and slow top speed, struggling to climb inclines, and it was obsolete by the start of the Second Great War, being operated by volunteer Fiannrian auxiliaries and garrison units until the end of the war. The Type 24 was more successful but its low production numbers and simple construction made it largely ineffective against wartime-made vehicles, and the vehicle's track system was particularly easily damaged by anti-tank weaponry; as a result, it only served briefly as a frontline vehicle while production of the Whitegill increased.