Fiat M11/39
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| Fiat-Ansaldo M11/39 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 11,175 kg (24,640 lb) |
| Length | 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.2 m (7' 2.5") |
| Height | 2.3 m (7' 6.5") |
| Crew | 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver) |
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|
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| Armour | Front 30 mm Side 14 mm |
| Primary armament |
37 mm L/40 84 rounds |
| Secondary armament |
2×8 mm Breda 38 2,808 rounds |
| Engine | V-8 diesel Fiat SPA 8T 105 hp |
| Power/weight | 9.5 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | Two 4 wheel bogies, semi-elliptic leaf spring |
| Operational range |
200 km (125 miles) |
| Speed | 32.2 km/h (20 mph) Road |
The Fiat-Ansaldo M11/39 was an Italian medium tank used from 1939 through the early period of World War II. Although designated by the Italian Army as a medium tank, in weight and firepower it was close to contemporary light tanks. The designation M11/39 is understood as follows: "M" for Medio ("medium"), followed by the weight in tons and the year of adoption.
The design was influenced by the British Vickers Six Ton Tank; this is reflected particularly in the track and suspension design. One innovative aspect of the design was the placement of the final reduction gears inside the front-mounted drive sprokets, eliminating the need for enlarged final drive housings in the bow armor envelope. Designed as a breakthrough tank, the M11/39's career was cut short due to severe weaknesses. The placement of the main 37mm armament in the hull, with a very restricted traverse, was the major weakness. All M11/39s were designed to carry a radio, but none of the production vehicles was so equipped.
The M11/39 hull design, with modifications, was used in the development of the more successful Fiat M13/40. Most M11/39s were used in combat in the North African Campaign. A few captured examples were employed by Australian forces.
[edit] External Links
- M11/39 Medium Tanks at wwiivehicles.com
- Carro M.11/39 at comandosupremo.com
- M11/39 at onwwar.com
| Italian armoured fighting vehicles of World War II |
|---|
| Light Tanks and Tankettes |
| L3/35 | Fiat L6/40 |
| Medium Tanks |
| Fiat M11/39 | Fiat M13/40 | Fiat M14/41 | M15/42 |
| Heavy Tanks |
| P 40 |
| Armoured Cars |
| AB 40 | AB 41 | Lince scout car |
| Self propelled guns |
| Semovente 47/32 | Semovente 75/18 | Semovente 75/34 | Semovente 90/53 | Semovente 105/25 | Semovente 149/40 |
| Italian armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II |
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