AS-42 Sahariana Truck

Specifications AS-42 Sahariana Truck blueprint

The AS.42 armed van was the first real response from Italian industry to the need of troops fighting in North Africa for a light, well-armed, long-range vehicle capable of striking behind enemy lines. , like the British LRDGs. Previously, the Italian army led by Mussolini had to make do with standard vehicles, like the AS37 truck or the TL37 tractor, or even with vehicles taken from the enemy. Following the experience acquired with these machines, the company FIAT / SPA-Viberti offered two models of Saharan vans, including the AS42, which took over the chassis of the AB41 machine guns, while eliminating the driving position. back. The new vehicle, very flat, included a large central space accommodating the driving position and the armament, which varied from one van to another. On the sides, racks made it possible to embark up to 20 jerrycans of gasoline, ensuring a very large autonomy to the AS42. The presentation of the prototype took place on July 9, 1942. The production of the Camionetta Desertica Mod.42, another denomination of the AS42, began in August 1942, while the model was not officially approved by the bodies of the Italian army only on December 1, 1942. The first copies immediately reached Libya in October and were assigned to the Raggruppamento Sahariano. 100 units were produced out of the 140 ordered, a large twenty (26 according to some sources) were sent to North Africa, where they fought until the end of the Tunisian campaign with the 103a Compagnia I Arditi Camionettisti, confirming their excellent benefits. In Sicily, 18 specimens of the IIe battaglione of the Xe reggimento Arditi took part in the combats against the Allies between July and August 1943, being distinguished in particular in the action of the bridge of Primosole which involved the loss of 4 AS42. At the time of the armistice, the vans of the Xe reggimento Arditi and the Battaglione dAssalto Motorizzato took part in the defense of Rome against German troops on September 9, 1943. As of September 18, 1943, a small group of 46 Arditi with 9 AS42 joined the 2. Fallschirmjger Division Ramke and left for the Ukrainian front in November, before returning to Germany in March 1944. The Barbarigo battalion of the Xa Mas used also two AS42s found in Rome at the beginning of 1944, when the unit was deployed on the Anzio Nettuno front. After the war, 11 slightly modified AS42s operated in the 20th Reparto Mobile di Pubblica Sicurezza until the 1950s. On our website you can download a drawing of AS-42 Sahariana Truck in pdf svg png jpg ai eps formats Use it for 3d modelling different illustrations typography engineering and design projects All our drawings are made in high quality therefore they can be very helpful in your work study or research.