P26/40 tank | |
|---|---|
| Country | Italia |
| Role | Heavy tank |
| Produced | 1943–44 |
| Built | 103 |
The P 26/40 was an Italian World War II heavy tank. It was armed with a 75 mm gun and an 8 mm Breda machine gun, plus another optional machine gun in an anti-aircraft mount. Design had started in 1940 but very few had been built by the time Italy signed the armistice with the Allies in September 1943 and the few produced afterwards were used by the Germans. The official Italian designation was carro armato (“armoured vehicle”) P 26/40. The designation means: P for pesante (“heavy”), the weight of 26 tonnes, and the year of adoption (1940).
Source: P26/40 tank on Wikipedia
| Carro Pesante P40 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Giorgio Briga, Gabriele Luciani |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 16 |
See also:
General Characteristics
The Carro Pesante P26/40 was an Italian World War II tank, designated “Heavy” (Pesante) by the Italian Army due to its weight compared to older domestic designs, though it was equivalent to a medium tank in other nations’ armies (like the US M4 Sherman or Soviet T-34). Designed by Ansaldo, its development was heavily influenced by reports of the Soviet T-34, resulting in the use of sloped armor. Production was significantly delayed, and most P26/40s were completed and used by German forces after the Italian armistice in 1943.
| Property | Typical Value (P26/40) |
|---|---|
| Official Designation | Carro Armato P 26/40 (P for Pesante/Heavy, 26 tons, 1940 adoption) |
| Role | Heavy Tank (Medium Tank equivalent) |
| Manufacturer | Ansaldo / Fiat |
| Produced | 1943–1944 |
| No. Built | Approx. 103–120 |
| Crew | 4 (Commander/Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio-Operator) |
| Mass (Weight) | 26 tonnes (57,320 lb) |
| Length | 5.80 m (19 ft 0 in) |
Powerplant and Mobility
- Engine: SPA 342 V-12 diesel engine (initially 330 hp, later production models aimed for 420 hp petrol/diesel).
- Engine Power (330 hp): 243 kW.
- Power/Weight Ratio: Approx. 12.7 hp/tonne (with 330 hp engine).
- Maximum Speed (Road): 40 km/h (25 mph).
- Operational Range: Approx. 280 km (170 mi).
- Suspension: Semi-elliptical leaf spring bogies (similar to earlier Italian M-series medium tanks, considered obsolete for the tank’s weight).
- Construction Drawback: The turret design required the commander to also act as the gunner, a significant workload that was being avoided in contemporary foreign designs. The hull was also of riveted construction, which was less resistant than welded armor.
Armament and Protection
- Main Armament: Ansaldo 75 mm L/34 gun (75/34). This gun had a barrel length of 34 calibers and a muzzle velocity of around 700 m/s.
- Ammunition Capacity: Approx. 63–75 rounds.
- Armour Penetration: Could penetrate roughly 70 mm of armor at 500 meters with armor-piercing shells.
- Secondary Armament: 1–2 x 8 mm Breda 38 machine guns (one co-axial, one optional anti-aircraft mount).
- Maximum Armor (Hull Front): 50 mm (sloped at 45°).
- Maximum Armor (Turret Front): 50–60 mm.
- Protection Standard: The armor was capable of resisting fire from early war anti-tank guns but was generally insufficient against the main guns of later Allied medium tanks.
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Looking for the optical devices of Italian world war two tanks is there anywhere where I can find information about them maybe documentation or pictures?