By
Monochromelody
As we know, AMX 10 RC is a very special wheeled AFV for it's skid steering system.
It can perform neutral steer, a.k.a. pivot steer or steer in place.
The transmission case is similar to some tank transmission.
The driver uses steering levers instead of a steerig wheel, and it's almost identical with those on AMX 10P tracked AFV.
↑wheeled AMX 10 RC
↓tracked AMX 10 P
It even had a variant running on tracks:
As for steering principle, there are different descriptions.
Some info says AMX 10 RC use a triple-differential system, like some British tanks and AFVs. A similar skid-steering wheeled vehicle, TV1000 "Rhino" also use steering levers instead of steering wheel, and it have triple-differential system.
When I looked for historical information, I found that French invented the first double-differential steering system for wheeled vehicle since 1898. And French tanks used double differential system since 1920s:
Renault NC: "Cletrac" type double differential, or controlled differential. First tank using Cletrac system. Single radius.
Char B1: "Naëder" type double differential, steering control via steering wheel connected to appareil Naëder(Naëder device). First production tank with hydrostatic steering mechanism. Step-less steering. Pivot steer.
Somua S35: "Somua" type double differential, steering control via steering wheel connected to mechanical steering clutch. Single radius. Pivot steer.
ARL 44: "ZF" type double differential, steering control via steering wheel. According to the document Notice du Char de transition, it can perform double radius steering and pivot steer.
Char Lorraine 40t: "ZF" type double differential. Detail unknown. Double radius. Pivot steer.
Char AMX 50: "ZF" type double differential. Detail unknown. Double radius. Pivot steer.
AMX 13: "Cletrac" type double differential, or controlled differential. A more compact design, steering mechanism integrated with gearbox. Single radius.
AMX 30: "Cletrac" type (1961 prototype or before), single radius;
"Somua" type variant (early version AMX 30B, 5SD-200D), single radius, pivot steer;
hydrostatic double-differential (AMX 30B2 upgrade, ENC-200), step-less steering, pivot steer.
There's no clear evidence that French could gave up their experience on double-differential mechanism and turned to British triple-differential.
I tried to look for AMX 10RC operator's handbook, but only gunnery handbook found on the internet.
Any further detail information about AMX 10RC transmission would be appreciated.
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