Land Weapons

Tankette (1933)

FIAT / Ansaldo

Carro Veloce CV 33 / CV 35

CV 33 Series II
CV 33 Series II

Tankettes were a popular design during the inter-war period and Italy was no exception in producing them, in this case the Carro Veloce CV 33. It was, like most of its contemporaries, inspired by the British Carden-Loyd Mk IVs, of which a small number were built locally. The CV 33 featured an all-riveted/welded hull with some degree of armor protection against small arms. The driver sat at the front right, with the commander/gunner to his left. Armament consisted of twin FIAT machine guns, although a small number were also built with a more powerful 37-mm gun. Aside from the basic tankette designs, there were numerous variants which included a flamethrower vehicle as well as other engineering vehicles; it was also used extensively for towing ammunition and supplies. All in all, the CV 33 was the most widely produced Italian combat vehicle of all time, and despite its obsolesence and limited fighting capability against tanks, saw extensive action in the Balkans, North Africa, Ethiopia, and Russia until the Italian surrender (some remained in German hands).

Italy's first tankette design was the CV 29, a local copy of the Carden-Loyd Mk IV. This was followed by the CV 3 which subsequently resulted in the production CV 33. Initial vehicles, the Series I were armed with just one 8-mm machine gun, but twin guns were mounted on the Series II to which most older units were eventually converted to. Other vehicles included the Carro Lancia Fiamme flamethrower, Carro Radio radio vehicle, Carro Veloce Recupero armored recovery vehicle, and the Passarella bridgelayer. Further improvements lied to the CV 35with a redesigned bolted hull and with a single Breda 13.2-mm gun. In 1938, the designation of these vehicles was changed to L3/33 (CV33) and L3/35 (CV35).

Preceded by:

None

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignCarro Veloce CV 33Carro Veloce CV 35
TypeTanketteTankette
Year19331935
Crew22
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)3.17 m3.15 m
Width1.420 m1.500 m
Height1.300 m1.280 m
Ground Clearance0 m0.280 m
Track0 m0 m
Track on Ground0 m0 m
Weight
Combat3,150 kg3,500 kg
Ground Pressure0.50 kg/cm²0 kg/cm²
SuspensionLeaf springsLeaf springs
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)42 km/h42 km/h (26 km/h)
Range (Off-Road)125 km150 km (60 km)
AmphibiousNoNo
Fording0.90 m0.77 m
Vertical Obstacle0.65 m0.70 m
Trench1.45 m1.45 m
Gradient40%35%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 43-hp
FIAT
SPA CV3
1 x 43-hp
FIAT
SPA CV3
FuelGasolineGasoline
Power/Weight13.65 hp/t12.29 hp/t
Armament
Main2 x 6.5-mm
Breda Mod. 30

Machine Gun
↑ 15° / ↓ -12° / ↔ 24°
2 x 8-mm
Breda Mod. 38

Machine Gun
↑ 15° / ↓ -12° / ↔ 24°
SecondaryNoneNone
Ammo6.5-mm: 4,800
8-mm: 3,200
Armor
TypeSteelSteel
Thickness5 - 15 mm6 - 15 mm
Max Effective5 - 15 mm RHAe6 - 15 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front-15 mm
Hull Lower Front-15 mm
Hull Upper Sides-9 mm
Hull Lower Sides-9 mm
Hull Upper Rear-9 mm
Hull Lower Rear-9 mm
Hull Top-6 mm
Hull Bottom-14 mm
Production
Built2,424760
Total2,500

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