Italy's Autoblinda AB 40, AB 41, and AB 43 armored cars

Photos

Autoblinda AB 41 armored car:	Autoblinda AB 41 armored car:	Autoblinda AB 41 armored car:	Autoblinda AB 41 armored car, on patrol through a village in North Africa:
Autoblinda AB 43 armored car

Design

The requirements for a new armored car for the Italian Colonial Police and the Italian Cavalry were combined into one specification.^3,4

The four wheel steering did cause problems for the Autoblindas.⁴ There were two drivers in the crew as there were positions in the front and the rear that could drive the Autoblinda.^3,4

Wheels

The Autoblindas could be outfitted with extra wide sand tires for used in North Africa.⁴

There were also kits that could allow the Autoblindas to ride on railroad tracks.^3,4 These could be changed in 30 minutes by the crew.⁴ These were primarily used in anti-partisan patrols in the Balkans.³

Prototype

The first Autoblinda prototype appeared in 1939.³

Production

Production started in 1940 with the AB 40.^3,4 These were the most produced Italian armored car in World War II.⁴

• AB 40: 24
• AB 41: 550
  • Manufacturer: Ansaldo²
• AB 43:

Variants

• AB 40: Initial production model.³ Initially had two machine guns in the turret, one of which was facing to the rear.^3,4 A few had a 20 mm gun in the turret.³
• AB 41: Turret from L6/40 was used.³ Was 4-wheeled drive. 25% of the vehicles had a mount for an anti-aircraft gun.³
• AB 43: This was to mount a 47 mm gun but was never put into production.
• ??: One that had no turret and was used as a command vehicle or artillery observation post.

Usage

Autoblinda 41

The Autoblinda 41 was used in North Africa, the Soviet Union, Italy, and Hungary.

German Captured Use

• Panzerspähwagen AB41 201(i): 37 (57⁴) confiscated from Italian Army in September 1943.^2,4 20 (120⁴) more were produced.^2,4 Later models had a new motor installed and were called the AB41/43.² This had a 108 HP engine, could go 81 kph, and go 350 km.²

 

Specifications

		AB 40	AB 41	AB 43
Crew	4	41,4	42,3,4
Physical Characteristics
Weight		15,344 lb 7.38 tons1 7,500 kg1	16,576 lb 7.4 tons4, 7.5 tons2,3 7,518 kg4	16,732 lb
Length w/gun	17' 3.5"	17' 1"1 5.2 m1	17' 1.5"3, 17' 2"4 5.2 m2,3,4
Length w/o gun
Height	8' 1"	7' 11"1 2.48 m1	7' 11.5"3, 8'4 2.48 m2,3,4
Width	6' 5"	6' 4"1 1.92 m1	6' 4"4, 6' 4.25"3 1.92 m2,3,4
Ground clearance
Ground contact length
Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main		20 mm1, 2: 8 mm	20 mm Breda modello 35 AA3,4 20 mm modello 35 L/652	47 mm
Secondary
MG		2: 8 mm MGs1	2: 8 mm modello 382
MG - coaxial	8 mm Breda modello 38		8 mm (0.315") modello 38 air cooled MG3,4
MG - rear	8 mm Breda modello 38		8 mm (0.315") modello 38 air cooled MG3,4
Side arms
Quantity
Main			4562
Secondary
MG			1,9922
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)		91	174
Hull Front, Upper			9@23°2
Hull Front, Lower			9@45°2
Hull Sides, Upper			9@30°2
Hull Sides, Lower			9@0°2
Hull Rear			9@20°2 & 9@40°2
Hull Top			6@90°2
Hull Bottom			6@90°2
Turret Front			18@16°2 Mantlet: 18 round2
Turret Sides			9@20°2
Turret Rear			9@16°2
Turret Top			6@90°2
Engine (Make / Model)	SAP Abm 1, water cooled Ansaldo1		SAP Abn4 SPA Abm 12,3 5 liters2
Cylinders	61		62,4, I-63
Cooling			Water3,4
Net HP	801		803, 882 @ 2,700 rpm2
Transmission			6 forward, 4 reverse2,4
Fuel type	Gasoline1		Gasoline2,4
Octane
Capacity
Performance
Traverse			360°, hand.2
Speed - Road	49 mph	49 mph1 78 kph1	49 mph3,4 78 kph2,3,4	56 mph
Speed - Cross Country	24 mph		24 mph3 38 kph3
Range - Road	248 miles	248 miles1 400 km1	248 miles3,4 400 km2,3,4	334 miles
Turning Radius
Elevation Limits			-10° to +20°2
Fording depth	2' 4"		2' 4"3 0.7 m3
Trench crossing
Vertical Obstacle	1'		1'3 0.3 m3
Suspension (Type)
Wheels each side
Tires	4
Track width
Track centers/tread