Carro Armato P 26/40 (Medium tank)

[Louis]

The P40 project was started in 1940 to create a heavy tank for Italy. Initially similar to an enlarged and upgunned M13/40, it was eventually improved by fitting thicker and sloped armor, and mounting a long-barreled 75 mm L/34 gun. Unfortunately its development was delayed because of the backwardness of the Italian automotive industry. When Italy surrendered on 8th September 1943, only one P40 had been delivered to the Italian Army; therefore, the P40 was built for Germany, with a total of 100 units produced.



The P40 had reasonably good specifications for a medium tank (comparable to the early production model of the M4 Sherman); Its 75 mm gun was effective for tank combat, and its armor was well sloped, while the mobility was adequate, although it lacked important features compared to the other tanks, such as welded armor, enhanced suspension, and a three-man turret with a commander's cupola.



Dimensions 5.50 x 2.80 x 2.50 m (19ft x 9ft 2in x 8ft 2in)
Total weight, battle ready 26 tons
Crew 4 (commander, driver, machine-gunner/radioman, loader)
Propulsion V-12 SPA 342 diesel, 330 hp (243 kW), 11.53 hp/t
Suspension Semi-elliptical leaf spring bogies
Top speed (road/off-road) 40 km/h (25 mph)/ 25 km/h (16 mph)
Operational range 280 km (170 mi)
Armament Ansaldo 75 mm L/34 (2.95 in), 75 rounds
2xBreda-38 8 mm machine-guns (0.31 in), 600 rounds
Armor From 14 to 60 mm (0.55-2.36 in)

From beutepanzer.ru and others

 

[Louis]

Oct. 1943: A photo was taken during a presentation of new panzerjäger to A. Hitler.
The P40 also seems early type, maybe prototype or one of the three produced seized at the Ansaldo factory in sept 1943.-

 

[Sempai]

I don´t know why but I like the look.

Greetings

 

[Louis]

Checked thread.