Autoblindo "Africa Settentrionale Italiana" ABS 37 (or TL37 Autoblindo).

ImportantSimone5 · July 9, 2024, 7:25pm

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Autoblindo “Africa Settentrionale Italiana” ABS 37 (or TL37 Autoblindo).

History.

The “Africa Settentrionale Italiana” ABS 37 armored car (or simply known as TL37 Autoblindo) was a rather particular armored car produced by Fiat-SPA in collaboration with Ansaldo based on the recent Trattore Leggero TL37 artillery tractor. The tractor in question was appreciated for its characteristics, although the vehicle could have been made even better (but this would have gone against the tender issued by the Royal Army). The vehicle was built in 1941 taking advantage of the experience acquired with the AB 40 and 41 armored cars, and in the autumn of the same year the vehicle was sent to the front, the only prototype built of this vehicle, which was presumably included in the ranks of the Nice Cavalry platoon. The armored car was found abandoned in Sidi Rezegh (in Marmarica) during Operation Crusader by English troops. It is not known with certainty why the vehicle was abandoned as it was free of combat damage but it was probably abandoned due to a mechanical failure in the powertrain. However, it is known that the vehicle was used operationally at least in November 1941. Despite the loss of the only example of this vehicle, FIAT-SPA did not allow itself to be discouraged: it further perfected the project, abandoned the “new” open turret and in April 1941 he already had plans in hand for an open version for the transport of troops and supplies or for escort duties for motorized convoys.

Armaments and propulsion.

The armored car was armed with a single 20 mm Breda 20/65 Model 1935 anti-aircraft gun (despite the initial plans the vehicle was to be armed with two Breda 38 machine guns). The weapon was placed in a turret derived from that of the L6/40 tank, which however was cut transversely. It was also possible to install a Breda Model 1938 machine gun in a special carriage placed on the turret for anti-aircraft use. For the 20 mm cannon there were 5+5 20 mm magazine cassettes placed at the bottom and 4 cassettes for the 8 mm magazines of the machine gun.
In terms of engines, the vehicle was powered by a Fiat-SPA 18VT 4-cylinder diesel engine with 52 hp, which allowed the vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 52 km/h.

Specifications.

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Crew: 2-3
Maximum weight: 5 tons
Length: 4.95 m
Width: 1.92 m
Height: 2.13 m
Engine: Fiat-SPA 18VT 4-cylinder diesel engine, 52 hp
Maximum speed: 52 km/h
Armament: 1x Breda 20/65 Model 1935 and 1x Breda Model 1938 (optional)
Armor: 8,5-0 mm

Pictures and drawnings.

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