CV-33
Encyclopedia
The Carro Veloce CV-33 or L3/33 was a tankette
originally built in 1933 and used by the Italian Army
before and during World War II
. Many CV-33s were retrofitted to meet the specifications of the CV-35
in 1935. In 1938, the CV-33 was re-named the "L3/33" while the retrofitted CV-35s became known as "L3/35
s."
.
The L3/33 saw action in China, Spain, France, the Balkans, North Africa, Italian East Africa, Italy, and Russia.
It had a range of 40 yards, though other sources report a 100 meter/328 foot range. They were fielded in North Africa, although there is no record of them being involved in combat there.
The L3 Lf saw action in the Second Italo–Abyssinian War, Spain, France, the Balkans, Italian North Africa and Italian East Africa.
Tankette
A tankette is a tracked combat vehicle resembling a small tank roughly the size of a car, mainly intended for light infantry support or reconnaissance. Colloquially it may also simply mean a "small tank"....
originally built in 1933 and used by the Italian Army
Italian Army
The Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
before and during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Many CV-33s were retrofitted to meet the specifications of the CV-35
L3/35
The L3/35 or Carro Veloce CV-35 was an Italian tank used before and during World War II. Although designated a light tank by the Italian Army, its turretless configuration, weight and firepower make it closer to contemporary tankettes....
in 1935. In 1938, the CV-33 was re-named the "L3/33" while the retrofitted CV-35s became known as "L3/35
L3/35
The L3/35 or Carro Veloce CV-35 was an Italian tank used before and during World War II. Although designated a light tank by the Italian Army, its turretless configuration, weight and firepower make it closer to contemporary tankettes....
s."
Layout
The original CV-33 carried a two-man crew protected by 12 mm of welded armor and was armed with a single 6.5 mm machine gunMachine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
.
Operational history
L3 Lf
The "L3 Lf" (Lancia fiamme, "flamethrower") flame tank was another variant of the L3 tankette. Development began in 1935. The flamethrower nozzle replaced one of the machine guns, and the flame fuel was carried in an armored trailer towed by the vehicle. Later versions had the fuel carried in a box-shaped tank mounted above the L3's engine compartment. The vehicle weighed 3.2 tons, and the armoured trailer carried 500 litres/110 gallons of fuel.It had a range of 40 yards, though other sources report a 100 meter/328 foot range. They were fielded in North Africa, although there is no record of them being involved in combat there.
The L3 Lf saw action in the Second Italo–Abyssinian War, Spain, France, the Balkans, Italian North Africa and Italian East Africa.
External links
- L3/33 (CV 33), L3/35 (CV 35) Tankettes at wwiivehicles.com
- CARRO CV 33 (L3/33) and CV 35 (L3/35) at comandosupremo.com