A decent Italian tank - the P40

, I meant to quote this.

 

A decent tank like you said for 1940, but the Itailians in WW2 werent the greatest of great help to the Germans; they were more of a hindrance if you ask me. But overall, a fairly good size tank, but what also matters is the crew who can operate her.

Mic

 

Here is some more info:

P40 tank
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Carro Pesante P40.The P40 was an Italian World War II tank design. Its formal name was Carro Pesante P26/40, meaning heavy tank, 26 ton, designed in 1940.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 References
3 Characteristics
4 External links



[edit]
History
Although designed in 1940 the first prototype was not completed until 1942. The initial plan was for a 25 ton tank with a 75 mm gun and hence named P75. The development work procedeed quickly except for the engine; the Italian military staff, the Stato Maggiore, wanted a diesel engine, while the builders favoured a petrol engine. However, in Italy at the time there were no engines available, diesel or petrol, capable of delivering the necessary 300 hp required. In the end after some delays, a 420 hp petrol engine was designed. The main weapon selected was a 75/34 cannon (in lieu of the shorter barrelled original 75/18 gun). The tank's armor was sloped and 60 mm thick at the front. The P40 was the first Italian tank design that was comparable to Allied medium tanks.

Of the 1,200 tanks ordered, only five pre-production models were completed before the Italian surrender in September 1943 when they were taken over by the German troops. About a hundred P40 tanks were built by Ansaldo from then until the end of the war although most were not entirely completed because of a lack of engines. A few were used in combat, under the German designation of Panzerkampfwagen P40 737(i), for example at Anzio. Some, without engines, were used as static strongholds.

Armament consisted of a 75 mm main gun and an 8 mm Breda machine gun.

[edit]
References
C. Falessi and B. Pafi, "Il carro armato P. 40", Storia Illustrata #150, May 1970.
[edit]
Characteristics
Type: medium tank (although designated a "heavy" tank, it was actually a medium tank in World War II terms)
Crew: 4
Dimensions:
Weight: 26 t
Length: 5.75 m
Width: 2.75 m
Height: 2.50 m
Performance:
Road Speed: 40 km/h
Range: 275 km
Engine: 313 kW (420 hp)
Armament:
Main Gun: 75 mm L/34 with 75 rounds
Coaxial Gun: 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun
Armor: 60 mm front, 50 mm sides; of riveted steel
Number manufactured: 220
Users: Italy, Germany



Italian

 

For a 1940 tank it would have been good, the problem was it didn't show up until 1943. I think you to compare it with the tanks of it's day, not when the design started. The Pz IV was designed in the mid '30s and was still adequate at the end of the war and probably at it's peak in 1943. The most likely opponent of the P40 was the M4, which in 1943 was a much better tank than the P40. So was the T34-76 and the Churchill.

 

Yes but the panzer IV wasd at its peak because of constant upgrades.

 

Those upgrades were design changes made to face new battlefield realities. The design of a new tank should anticipate these realities and be modified accordingly. The P40 failed in this respect because, when it appeared, it did not surpass or even match its likely enemies.

Considering the time of its arrival, it might even be fair play to compare the P40 to the Panther...

 

I personally like this tank

 

That was always the problem WW2 tank designer faced you might start with something that looked like overkill but by the time it saw the light of day it might turn out to be a bit limp wristed.

 

Based on the specs it sound like it could have been a useful tank if it had been produced in adequet numbers. Since Italy quit the same year it went into production I think this pretty much nixed it's chance to prove itself. Considering the number of Panzer IVs, StuGs and other German-made armor, the five that did see service would have had little or no effect on the grand scale of things.

It's like the same thing with some of the 'miracle weapons'. (Although their success is a debatable topics)

 

You mean like a V1 rocket refitted to have a pilot in it? Germans and their crazy ideas.

 

There was a rumour which came out of the North African campaign that said that Italian tanks had one forward gear and five reverse gears. I have studied some of the specs of Italian tanks of the period and have found no evidence that this is true.

 

Lone Wolf:
I think that comment is a "tongue-in-cheek" reference to their fighting mettle. (Obviously referring to the judgement that they would rather flee than fight.)
A similar jest might state that only Italian tanks had "back-up lights."

A popular reference--here in the states--concerns French small-arms...
"Never fired, and only dropped once..."

Hope this helps.

Tim

 

Thanks.

 

Just found these great new photosa of P-40(s) one with clear German markings -

 

Yep, only the germans used those tanks. Even those without engines, those served as an iron bunker

 

' course it's still very likely that, had this tank been introduced early enough to make an impact, it would still have been plagued with typical Italian problems such as poor quality armour plate and poor engine reliability. Crew training and radios may also have been issues.

:smok:

 

I think you're right. It's seems unlikely the Italians would have solved all their problems with this vehicle. Radio was supposed to be "RF CA 1". Anyone know if they were any good.
Still can't get over the riveted armor, but it was a 1940 design. I think this is yet another testament to the unreadiness of Italian industry for a major war.