L6/40:
Fiat Ansaldo built the vehicle the vehicle in the 1930s intending to export them.
The 1st prototype was completed in 1936 with 2 8 mm Breda MGs and the other had a 37 mm in the turret and an 8 mm Breda MG coaxial. The final production version was built in 1939 and had a 20 mm in the turret. Bolted and riveted construction. The driver sat on the right. The turret was manually turned and the commander could enter through the turret roof or a door in the right side of the hull. The drive sprocket was in the front and idler in the rear.
The Italian Army ordered 283 and these were delivered between 1941 and 1942. Issued to the Italian Army from 1940-41.5
First units were cavalry and then later Bersaglieri.5 Used in Africa, Russia, Greece, France, and Italy.5
Used by reconnaissance units.6
Flamethrower:
Had 20mm replaced by flamethrower. Had 44 gallons of flame liquid.3 May not have seen action.
Command:
Had open roof and radios were added. RF-1-CA radio.4
Semovente L40 47/32:
Had turret removed and added a 47 mm gun with 49 rounds. Crew of 3.
| L6/40 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver.3 21,2,3,5 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 15,232 lb, 14,991 lb3 6.6 tons6, 6.7 tons4, 6.79 tons1, 6.8 tons2,5 6,800 kg3, 6,900 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 12.6'2, 12' 5"1,3,5, 12' 6.25" 3.78 m1,3,4 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 6.15'2, 6' 6", 6' 8"1,3,5, 7' 2" 1.92 m4, 2.03 m1,3 |
| Width | 5' 11", 6.1'2, 6' 4"1,3,5 1.92 m1,3,4 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | 6.87 psi |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 37 mm Vickers-Termi L/21 (early models)6 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 8 mm Breda1 8 mm Breda model 38, coaxial3,4 MG2 8 mm MG, coaxial5 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 256, 2963,4 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 1,5603 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 6 - 301,3 6 - 402 305 Front: 304 Side: 144 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 30 |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | 6 |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | SPA 18 D1,3 Spa5 |
| Cylinders | 43 |
| Net HP | 682,5, 701,3,4 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline1,2,3 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°3 |
| Max Speed | 25 mph, 26 mph2,3,5, 26.1 mph1 42 kph1,3,4 |
| Cross Country | 15.5 mph |
| Road radius | 125 miles1,5, 124 miles3 200 km1,3 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | -12° to +20°3 |
| Fording depth | 2' 8"3 0.8 m3 |
| Trench crossing | 5' 7"3 1.7 m3 |
| Vertical Obstacle | 2' 4"3 0.7 m3 |
| Suspension (Type) | Torsion bar5 |
| Wheels each side | 2 bogies with 2 wheels |
| Return rollers each side | 3 |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread | |
| Production | 19391: 2833 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Italian Medium Tanks in Action, Nicola Pignato, 2001
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