TL.37
| TL.37 | |
|---|---|
 Indian troops drive a captured Fiat-SPA TL.37 (Dec. 1941) | |
| Type | Light truck |
| Place of origin |  Kingdom of Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Italy |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1937 |
| Manufacturer | SPA |
| Produced | 1938-? |
| No. built | 200 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3,560 kg (7,850 lb) |
| Length | 4.13 m (13 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Engine | 4 cylinder of 4,053 cm3 developing 52 hp at 2,000 rpm |
| Payload capacity | 1,530 kg |
| Transmission | 4 forward 1 reverse |
| Suspension | 4x4 |
| Ground clearance | 345 mm |
Operational range | 170 km |
| Maximum speed | 38 km/h |
The TL.37 was an Italian military artillery tractor of World War II. It was manufactured by SPA (Società Piemontese Automobili), an Italian car maker that was a subsidiary of Fiat.
Development and history
[edit]
The tractor was chosen for the Royal Italian Army in 1938 as the result of a design competition between SPA and Breda Meccanica Bresciana for a light artillery tractor. It was subsequently used during World War 2 by all the Italian forces and was bought by Hungary. After the Italian Armistice in 1943, it continued to be used by German forces. Post–war, it was in service until 1948 with the Italian Navy.
The vehicle was notable for having four-wheel steering, that enabled it to have a 4.5-metre (15 ft) turning circle. It was able to pull artillery pieces of 75mm and 100mm at a speed of 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph) on road, carrying five gun–crew in addition to the driver and 250 kilograms (550 lb) of artillery ammunition. It was also able to climb a 40-degree slope.
A self-propelled gun variant was also built, with a Cannone da 75/27 modello 11 fitted at the rear. The TL.37 was also the basis for a general–purpose truck, the Fiat–SPA AS.37, and two armoured cars the Fiat–SPA S37 (Fiat-SPA Autoprotetto S37) and the Fiat-SPA AS43.
Bibliography
[edit]- Gli Autoveicoli tattici E logistici del Regio Esercito Italiano fino Al 1943, tomo secondo, Stato Maggiore dell' Esercito, Ufficio Storico, Nicola Pignato & Filippo Cappellano, 2005
- Gli Autoveicoli del Regio Esercito nella Assisted Guerra Mondiale, Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare
- Dal TL 37 all ' A.S. 43, It trattore leggero, the autocarro sahariano, I derivati, artigliery, GMT, Nicola Pignato, Filippo Cappellano
- Trattore leggero SPA TL 37, Notiziario Modellistico GMT 2/91, Nicola Pignato (pp. 4–15)
External links
[edit]- TL-37 Tractor of Fiat SPA (Video)
- ASPHM SPA TL37 Trattore (Video)