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Description: The OTO Palmaria P was the Palmaria prototype that was used by the company OTO-Melara for development and tests. Starting with the history of the Palmaria SPG, the development started back in 1977, when the Italian company OTO-Melara wanted to realize a new SPG for international export. This SPG was partially based on the previous SP70 SPG project, a project from the early 1970s that involved Italy, the UK, and West Germany. The new SPG was fitted with a modified OF40 hull and a new-designed turret, and it was named after a small island in the Ionic Sea. The prototype (the subject of this suggestion) was made in 1981, and the production line was opened one year later, in 1982. The production line was open from 1982 to 1990, with a total of 235 units constructed. Now about this unit in particular, the prototype, it was used by OTO-Melara for the integration and testing of new technologies on the platform. It was pictured many times in the brochures of the company to advertise the vehicle. It always remained in Italy, and it is still in Italy these days. One of the most unique features of this prototype were the various shells that were tested on it, like the roket-assisted shell, which had an impressive range of 30 km plus a better speed compared to the normal 155 mm HE shell. The prototype right now is located in the OTO Melara facilities, where it rests alongside some other Italian cold war vehicles. Talking about the components of the tank, it is equipped with an autoloaded 115 mm/L39 Howitzer capable of shooting a burst of 3 rounds in 20 seconds with a ROF of 6 shells per minute. The gun has an elevation of 70’ and a depression of -5 degress, which makes this one of the few, if not the only, artillerys with gun depression. To protect itself against infantry and small armored vehicles, it was equipped with a browning 12.7 mm gun or a 7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 machinegun. The hull was based on the OF40 one; however, it showed multiple differences compared to the normal one. The frontal part is flatter, and it has an upgraded engine, the MTU MB 837 Ka-500. This engine was significantly more powerful compared to the OF40 standard engine, with a total of 973 kph. While the Hull received significant internal upgrades, the armor remained the same as the normal OF40.
Why it should be in the game: The OTO Palmaria P will be a very good addition to the Italian tt since it will be a very good SPG. It could go to the main line while the production model that was exported could be a premium at a lower br since it will have weaker ammo.
Specifications:
Spoiler
Length: 37.63 ft (11.47 m)
Width: 7.71 ft (2.35 m)
Height: 2.87m
Weight: 51 tons (46,632 kg; 102,806 lb)
Maximum Speed: 60 km/h
Maximum range: 311 miles (500 km)
Ammo: 30 rounds
Type of ammo: All Nato Standard 155 mm HE, Simmel 15 mm HE, Simmel 155 mm Rocket assisted HE
Turret rotation: 360 degrees
Smoke Granades:
Sources
Spoiler
SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM: L'OTO Melara Palmaria, semovente d'artiglieria concepito nel corso della seconda metà degli anni settanta dall'Italia per il mercato estero.
OTO- Melara Palmaria: Photos, History, Specification
https://armyrecognition.com/italian_italy_military_artillery_vehicles_systems/palmaria_155_mm_self-propelled_howitzer_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_information.html?utm_content=cmp-true
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