This light tank was designed by Ansaldo/Fiat.
It was designed as an infantry support tank.
After several improvements, this tank was named “Ansaldo Tank” and went into mass production in 1933.
The first model of the vehicle was the C.V.33-1 series, equipped with an air-cooled 6.5 mm Fiat AV machine gun.
This model is characterized by its unique armament and rear wheel steering.
In 1935 the C.V.33-2 series was added, which was equipped with a double 8 mm Fiat 1935 machine gun.
Other improvements include the angle of the armor plate at the rear of the structure.
Early models of the C.V.33 used primarily welded hulls, while some later models and the C.V.35 tanks mass-produced since 1936 used riveted hull structures.
In 1938, the riveted hull model was renamed L3/35, also known as L35.
By 1941, the firepower of the C.V.33 series tanks was obviously no longer sufficient in battles with enemy forces.
To compensate for this shortcoming, the Italians made an interesting improvement: based on the C.V.33-2 series, the main weapon was replaced with a Swiss Solothurn S-1100 20 mm anti-tank gun.
Except for the slightly modified gun mantlet, the other parts were still the same as the original vehicle.
It not only retained the tank's original mobility, but also significantly increased firepower.
This version of the tank with improved firepower is called L35/C.
The radio communication version of the car also has a large capacity Marelli battery installed on each side of the body.
Most of the L35/C's missions took place in North Africa. They were mainly used in 1941.
Some tanks of this type were captured by the British Army in the Badia Highlands.
Plastic model kit
- with photo-etched parts
Scale 1:35
unbuilt / unpainted
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