The development of this Heavy "Pesante" Tank atarted in 1940, hence P40. However by the time of the ...Records show that 101 vehicles were built and supplied to Panzer units in Italy with 3 being operated by the RSI.
This Tankette was based on the British Carden Loyd Mk.VI of which the Italians purchased 25 in 1929. Our model depicts the CV35, which along with some CV38's and the earlier CV33, accounted for 75% of Italian tank formations encountered by the British in late 1940 and early 1941. They first saw service in the Spanish Civil War, being used by the Nationalists. Later they saw action in Somalia, Abyssinia, France, Albania, Greece, Crete, Russia, N. Africa, Sicily, the Italian mainland and in the Balkans. Although clearly inadequate for the task, they remained in service, being used by the RSI after the armistice, until the end of hostilities. The model shown here has the twin 8mm Breda MG's but some vehicles were fitted with the 20mm Solothurn also available as kit BIT03.
This Tankette was based on the British Carden Loyd Mk.VI of which the Italians purchased 25 in 1929. Our model depicts the CV35, which along with some CV38's and the earlier CV33, accounted for 75% of Italian tank formations encountered by the British in late 1940 and early 1941. They first saw service in the Spanish Civil War, being used by the Nationalists. Later they saw action in Somalia, Abyssinia, France, Albania, Greece, Crete, Russia, N. Africa, Sicily, the Italian mainland and in the Balkans. Although clearly inadequate for the task, they remained in service, being used by the RSI after the armistice, until the end of hostilities. The model shown here has the 20mm Solothurn Anti-Tank gun fitted but most vehicles were fitted with the 8mm Breda MG's also available as kit BIT02. The Trailer shown often seen behind these tankettes is available as kit BIT05
The model shown here has the twin 8mm Breda MG's fitted but some vehicles were fitted with the 20mm Solothurn Anti-Tank gun also available as kit BIT05.
These little trailers were often seen towed behind the cramped little L3/CV35 or CV38 Tankettes. The Italian Tankette was based on the British Carden Loyd Mk.VI of which the Italians purchased 25 in 1929. The CV35, which along with some CV38's and the earlier CV33, accounted for 75% of Italian tank formations encountered by the British in late 1940 and early 1941. They first saw service in the Spanish Civil War, being used by the Nationalists. Later they saw action in Somalia, Abyssinia, France, Albania, Greece, Crete, Russia, N. Africa, Sicily, the Italian mainland and in the Balkans. Although clearly inadequate for the task, they remained in service, being used by the RSI after the armistice until the end of hostilities.
