An AB 41 recon car in Romanian service.
Autoblinda 41 was one of the best armored cars produced by Italy.
Background[]
The primary variant of Fiat-Ansaldo's Autoblinda armored car, the AB 41 was an evolution of the AB 40. Featuring an all-riveted construction and four-wheel drive, it was a well thought-out and well-designed armored car, capable of reaching speeds of over 70 km/h (45 mph), with reasonable armor on the front, and a powerful 20mm autocannon as its primary design. Despite some minor flaws, like a poorly located engine and unarmored fuel tank, it was considered an excellent design for its time and 550 were produced before the Armistice. Surviving units were captured by Germans and pressed into service as Beutewaffen.
Models[]
- Autoblinda 41: The basic variant.
- SPW AB 41 (SD2): Fallschirm.Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12 was created in the beginning of January 1944 to serve as the reconnaissance element of II. Fallschirmkorps. The Abteilung was equipped with three Panzer L6(i) along with 6 SPW AB 41 in the headquarters elemnt. These vehicles served as the armored element of the Abteilung since the armored vehicle issued to the Line units never came forcing the Abteilung to use civilian vehicles and trucks.
- SPW AB 41 (Cro): AB 41 taken into Croatia service.
- Autoblinda 43:
- SPW AB 43: The German variant.
- SPW AB 43 47mm: Cariant modified with 47/40 Mod. 38 cannon
- AB Usor: Romania inherited some AB 41 armored cars when Italy left the eastern front. These were issued first to the 1 Blindata "România Mare", and then reassigned to the 5 Cavalerie Motorizata after the armored division waa rearmed with German vehicles.
Sahariana[]
AS.42 was unique variant created by SPA-Viberti in 1942 for use by Compagnie Auto-Avio-Sahariane. Inspired by the performance of British Long Range Desert Group, which relied on light, maneuverable vehicles for lightning-fast attacks, the Compagnies requested a similar vehicle. Built using the same chassis as the AB 41, AS.42 used the same 100 HP engine with a 2x4 transmission and a body designed for deep desert operations. The rear-mounted engine allowed for the open compartment to accommodate up to five men with equipment and a crew-served weapon, while racks on the exterior of the vehicle allowed it to carry up to 400 litres of fuel and 80 liters of water on top of the internal 145 liter fuel tank, giving it a theoretical maximum range of 1500 km. It was a solid, all-around desert vehicle.
- AS.42: The base variant.
- AS.42 20mm (Ita): Italian variant with a 20mm autocannon.
- AS.42 20mm (Ger): The same, but German.