WesWorld

Discussion of changes to Italian army equipment in 1944.

First up is a few new SPGs based on the M26/39 chassis.

Dimensions
Length: 7.02m without gun.
Width: 3.08m
Height: 3m

Handling
Weight 16 metric tons
Road Speed: 41kph
Off-road speed: 12kph
Range: 250 km
Engine: 350hp Isotta-Fraschini diesel
Power/Weight ratio: 21.875hp/ton
Suspension: Two VVSS.

Armament
Main Gun: 105mm/25
Secondary Guns: one 8mm MG, hull mounted,

Armor(maximum thickness)
Hull Front: 50mm
Hull Sides: 35mm
Hull Rear: 30mm
Hull Top: 20mm
Hull Bottom: 20mm
Gunhouse Front: 30mm
Mantlet: 40mm
Gunhouse Sides: 30mm


Dimensions
Length: 7.02m without gun.
Width: 3.08m
Height: 3m

Handling
Weight 20 metric tons
Road Speed: 41kph
Off-road speed: 12kph
Range: 250 km
Engine: 350hp Isotta-Fraschini diesel
Power/Weight ratio: 17.5hp/ton
Suspension: Two VVSS.

Armament
Main Gun: 149mm/40
Secondary Guns: one 8mm MG, hull mounted,

Armor(maximum thickness)
Hull Front: 50mm
Hull Sides: 35mm
Hull Rear: 30mm
Hull Top: 20mm
Hull Bottom: 20mm
Gunhouse Front: 30mm
Mantlet: 40mm
Gunhouse Sides: 30mm

Any comments on these designs?

Seeing as I mentioned it in the TO&E thread in the ency, these are the details of the Breda Mod.31bis which is the revised version of this weapon (4th down).

Breda Mod.31bis

Calibre : 7.35x51 and 6.5x52
Muzzle velocity: 720m/s 128gr (7.35mm)
Loading technique: gas operated semi-automatic
Total length: 1000mm Barrel length: 483mm
Weight: 4.75kg loaded
Max Range: 2000m
Effective range: 400m
Magazine: 25 rounds
Rate of fire: 600rpm

In order to improve the reliability of the weapon via less complexity, the ability for automatic fire is removed. About .5kg is shaved of the weight of the original design. Other refinements are made to increase mechanical reliability. The weapon is intended to be used primarily by the Arditi due to the increase in firepower at shorter ranges it provides. Other units are not expected to pick up the weapon in large quantities, tho it is expected that some specialists may use the weapon.
[SIZE=1]Picture from RA, stats modified from RA's original[/SIZE]