Italian Kampf-Panzer Fiat-Ansaldo M 13/40

In December 1937 the Regio Esercito (Royal Italian Army) authorized the design for the M 13/40. Ansaldo delivered the first prototype in October 1939. However, it wasn't accepted until March 1940. An order for 538 tanks was made and production started in June 1940. 22 were produced each month.

General Caracciolo di Feroleto (head of Inspectorate of Technical Services) supervised the design. Fifteen prototypes were ready by July 1940. Similar chassis to M11/39 but was riveted. Was built from armored plates bolted to a steel frame. The armor had a tendency to crack when hit. After about 150 tanks being produced it had a radio installed and the long mudguards were cut back. In action proved to be unreliable and prone to catching fire. This was the most widely used tank by the Italians. Had a radio installed. These were fitted to later production vehicles. In 1940 Italian crews were given 25 days of training with two hour of driving before going into combat. The front of the hull was rounded. There was a towing hook placed in the rear, and there were towing pintles in the front and rear.

Turret

The turret gun slots were open. There was a telescopic gunsight mounted in the turret. The 47 mm gun could be fired by manual or pedal firing. There was a hydraulic system for traversing the turret, with a manual backup. On the turret roof were two periscopes. On each side of the turret were oval pistol ports. The prototype had a pistol port in the rear of the turret, but this was eliminated in the production version. Some crews removed the power traverse system as it was viewed as unnecessary and took up valuable space.

Superstructure

On each side of the hull superstructure were two circular pistol ports, and in the rear of the superstructure were two more pistol ports.

Weapons

Two 8 mm MGs were in a gimbal mount on the right side of the superstructure. The 47mm gun had a muzzle velocity of 2,060 ft/sec. It shot a 3.25 lb AP shell at a velocity of 2,067'/sec.⁸

Engine

The engine could be started by and inertia starter or electrically. The power went through the transmission to the drive sprockets in the front. To control the M13/40 a steering and braking gear was used. A reduction gear was placed in the front to reduce the engine revolutions.

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