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Fiat M15/42 Details and Specifications

by Jim H

Background on the Fiat-Ansaldo M 15/42

The Fiat M15/42, or Carro Armato M15/42, entered service in 1943. Because of the Italian armistice, it never saw action against the Allies. A total of 118 of these were built, most being issued by the 135th Armored Division, Ariete II in an attempt to deny Rome to the Germans in September 1943. The Germans captured some of the vehicles and used them against the Allies.

A side view of the Fiat M15/42.

A side view of the Fiat M15/42.

Improvements from Earlier Models

Some improvements include the 47 mm Ansaldo L40 gun which produced 30% greater muzzle velocity than the 47 mm L32 gun found in previous models. The Fiat-Ansaldo M15/42 was slightly longer than the M14/41 and distinguishable from it by the lack of a crew access door in the side of the hull. The M15/42 also had improved armor and a more powerful engine that made it slightly faster.

The hull was of all riveted construction that varied in thickness from 14mm to 45mm. The driver sat at the front left of the hull with the bow machine gunner on his right, the latter operating the twin 8mm machine guns as well as the radios. The turret was in the center of the hull and armed with a 47 mm/40 caliber gun with an elevation of +20 degrees and a depression of –10 degrees. The electronically operated turret traversed 360 degrees. An 8mm Modello 38 machine gun was mounted co-axial with the main armament with a similar machine gun mounted on the roof for anti-aircraft defense. The vehicle carried 111 47 mm rounds and 2,640 8 mm rounds of ammunition.

A Fiat M15/42 during trials in Italy.

A Fiat M15/42 during trials in Italy.

The suspension on each side consisted of four double-wheel articulated bogies mounted in two assemblies each carried on semi-elliptical springs, with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. There were three track return rollers. The engine was at the rear of the hull and coupled to the manual gearbox with eight forward and two reverse gears. By the time the M15/42 had been introduced into service it was already obsolete and design for a replacement tank, the P.40, had been underway for years.

Variants

The following variants utilized the M 15/42 chassis:

  • M 15-42 Centro Radio: Contains an antenna and additional radio equipment
  • Semovente da 75/18: Self Propelled Gun mounted with a 75 mm 18 caliber gun.
  • The Semovente da 75/34: Self Propelled Gun mounted with a 75 mm 34 caliber gun
  • Semovente da 105/25: Self Propelled Gun mounted with a 105 mm 25 caliber gun.

Specifications

Specifications Fiat-Ansaldo M 15/42
Class Medium Tank
Armor 6 mm to 45 mm
Range 120 miles (200 km)
Weight 15.5 Tons
Length 16.2 ft (4.92 m)
Width 7.3 ft (2.2 m)
Height 7.10 ft (2.4 m)
Armament 47mm Ansaldo 47/32 111 Rnds
(3) 8 mm Breda Model 38 MG’s (2,640 rounds)
Crew 4
Speed 24.9 mph (40 km/h)
Powerplant Fiat SPA 15T V-8 Gasoline Engine with 195 HP
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