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Italy's Carro Armato (Army Tank) M15/42 medium tank:
Hull was all riveted. Drive sprocket was in front and idler in rear.
Turret
On each side was an oval pistol port.6
Superstructure / Hull
At the rear of the hull was 2 circular ports, and on each side of the hull was a single circular port.6 The right side had an access door for the crew.6 Later models had a smoke candle rack installed on the rear hull.6
Engine
The engine was changed to a gasoline model as diesel stocks were dwindling.6
Track
Late models had a new drive sprocket with four large guide teeth.6
Production
Was produced from January to February 1943.5
Was issued to the Ariete Division. Saw action in Italy against the Germans in Rome with the Ariete II Division.
Semovente M42M DA 75/34:
Semovente M42L DA 105/25:
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.
| 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 w/gun | 16' 0.75", 16' 6.5", 16' 2"1, 16' 7"3 4.92 m1, 4.04 m2, 5.04 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| 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 mm1 L/40 Ansaldo6 47 mm L/402,3 47 mm5 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2: MGs1 3: 8 mm Model 382 3: 8 mm Breda Model 38, coaxial, twin mount hull.3,6 Some had 8 mm mounted as AA.3 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 1112,3,6 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2,6403,6, 3,0482 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 14 - 453 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 15T6 |
| Cylinders | 81,2,3 |
| Net HP | 1451 @ 1,900 rpm 1852 @ 2,400 rpm2 1923,5 |
| Transmission | 5 forward, 1 reverse |
| Fuel type | Gasoline3,6 Diesel1 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | 97 gallons6 367 liters6 Reserve tank: 10.6 gallons6, 40 liters6 |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, electric.2,3 |
| Max Speed | 25 mph3,5, 23.6 mph, 22 mph1 35 kph1, 38 kph2, 40 kph3 |
| Cross Country | 9 mph |
| Road radius | 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 | |
| Production | Ansaldo-Fossati FIAT-Ansaldo.2 1942-1943 : 82-90, 821,3 1-2/19435 Ansaldo: 2196 |
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
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- -
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Italian Medium Tanks in Action, Nicola Pignato, 2001
