Italy's Carro Armato (Army Tank) M15/42 medium tank

Photos

Design

Hull was all riveted.³

Turret

On each side was an oval pistol port.⁴

Superstructure / Hull

At the rear of the hull was 2 circular ports, and on each side of the hull was a single circular port.⁴ The right side had an access door for the crew.⁴ Later models had a smoke candle rack installed on the rear hull.⁴

Crew

The driver of the M15/42 was at the front and to the left in the hull.³ The machine gunner/radio operator was on the right in the front.³

Engine

The engine was changed to a gasoline model as diesel stocks were dwindling.⁴

Suspension

There were four sets of two wheel that were mounted to assemblies that had semi-elliptical springs.³ The drive sprocket was located at the front of the M15/42 and the idler at the rear.³ There were also three return rollers.³

Track

Late models had a new drive sprocket with four large guide teeth.⁴

Production

• M15/42: 82 - 90, 82^1,3, 219⁴
  • Production: 1942 - 1943, January - February 1943⁵
  • Manufacturer: Ansaldo-Fossati, FIAT-Ansaldo², Ansaldo⁴

Variants

• M15/42:
• Semovente M42M DA 75/34:
• Semovente M42L DA 105/25:

Usage

The M15/42 became operational in early 1943.³

Most of the M15/42s were issued to the Ariete Division.³ Saw action in Italy against the Germans in Rome with the Ariete II Division.³

German Use

• PzKpfw M15/42 738(i): 92 were confiscated from the Italian Army in September 1943, and 28 were produced in 1944.² Had RF 1 CA radio installed.²
  Issued to 3 Panzer detachments and the 22nd SS Maria Theresa division in April 1944.

Specifications

	M15/42
Crew	41,2,3
Physical Characteristics
Weight	34,800 lb3, 32,408 lb 14.37 tons1, 14.7 tons2 14,600 kg1, 15,500 kg3
Length	16' 0.75", 16' 6.5", 16' 2"1, 16' 7"3 4.92 m1, 4.04 m2, 5.04 m3
Height	7' 9.25", 7' 10"1, 7' 11"3 2.39 m2,3, 2.4 m1
Width	7' 2.75", 7' 3.75", 7' 3"1, 7' 4"3 2.2 m1, 2.23 m2,3
Ground clearance
Ground contact length
Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	47 mm L/40 Ansaldo4 47 mm L/402,3 47 mm1,5
Secondary
MG	2: MGs1 3: 8 mm Model 382
MG - coaxial	1: 8 mm Breda Model 383,4
MG - hull	2: 8 mm Breda Model 383,4
MG - anti-aircraft	Some had 8 mm mounted as AA3
Side arms
Quantity
Main	1112,3,4
Secondary
MG	2,6403,4, 3,0482
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	14 - 423 6 - 421
Hull Front, Upper	42 12+30@11°2
Hull Front, Lower	30 round2
Hull Sides, Upper	25@9°2
Hull Sides, Lower	25@0°2
Hull Rear	25@0°2 & 25@20°2
Hull Top	14@90°2
Hull Bottom	6@90°2
Turret Front	45 12+37@16°2 Mantlet: 30 round2
Turret Sides	25@22°2
Turret Rear	25@22°2
Turret Top	14@85°2
Engine (Make / Model)	SPA 15TB M423 SPA 8TM411 15TB2,5 Fiat SPA 15T4
Cylinders	81,2,3
Net HP	1451 @ 1,900 rpm 1852 @ 2,400 rpm2 1923,5
Transmission	8 forward, 1 reverse3
Fuel type	Gasoline3,4 Diesel1
Octane
Capacity	97 gallons4 367 liters4 Reserve tank: 10.6 gallons4, 40 liters4
Performance
Traverse	360°2,3, electric2,3
Speed - Road	25 mph3,5, 23.6 mph, 22 mph1 35 kph1, 38 kph2, 40 kph3
Speed - Cross Country	9 mph
Range - Road	111.8 miles, 136 miles3, 175 miles5 25 (probably should be 125) miles1 180 km2, 200 km1, 220 km3
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-10° to +20°3 -15° to +25°2
Fording depth	3' 3"3 1 m3
Trench crossing	6' 11"3 2.1 m3
Vertical Obstacle	2' 8"3 0.8 m3
Suspension (Type)	4 double-wheel bogies mounted on 2 assemblies3
Wheels each side	8
Return rollers each side	3
Track length
Tires
Track width
Track centers/tread