Information on Ansaldo Fiat L6 Semovente

Latch,
there were 19 of them in Russia all bellonging to the XXIII° Gruppo Squadroni Corazzato "Cavalleggeri d Alessandria".



This is a rare pic of these tiny AFVs in Russia. Sorry for the quality but I haven't got anything better. If you're interested in the plate number is Regio Esercito 4197. Since you're "super detailing" it if you wish I can provide you with the two plates (rear and front). If you're interested in just drop me a PM...

Fabio,

I assumed it was used in Sicily since I knew for certain that a few got to Tunisia and it was used in defence of Italy (the Germans even used them). Thanks for correcting me.

I didn't realize that it had gotten to Russia. I knew that more Italian armor got to Russia than is generally realized, but I wasn't sure that the little L6 got there too.

I'll stick with a full sand scheme then. I want to do the kit in a small diorama with an Italian tank crewman. Royal models makes a fanrastic figure. The poor guy looks dead tired.

Have you got any information on the units in use in Russia?
I am assuming they were part of the Southern Thrust going toward Stalingrad?





I'll see what ammo is left after completing the model.

You've got first call on it Fabio.

Thanks for the help!

Latch,
as far as I know no Semoventi da 47/32 were used in Sicily. If you've got any evidence/documentation of their presence there would you mind to share it? They were for sure used in Russia (sand), Tunisia (sand), and for the Rome's defence (sand/green). Other units had it but did not fight (like the Artillery School (either sand or green).
If after the completion of your model one of the ammo will be left over would you mind to sell/trade it to me?

Fabio,

Thanks for the offer Fabio, I will send you some pictures when it is finished.

My initial intent for paint was overall sand. But, I want to do one as it would have been on Sicily, so I may go with the sand with either a green "squiggle" or splotches. I seem to remember a picture of a regular L6 with a really fine line green squiggle scheme over the regular sand. I'm going to look for it and see if I can find that one.

The 47/32 ammo is not currently available as I know it. I have a friend who is going to cast me some. I should have the ammo within a week or two.

Lach, I forgot to ask you if the 47mm ammo is available on the market or you're going to scratchbuild it...

You're welcome Latch!!! How do you plan to paint it? Grigioverde, Sand or sand/grigioverde? Once you're done, if you wish, you can provide me with the pics of the model and I can publish them on the scale modelling section of my site, www.cavalleriaitaliana.it.
Just let me know

Thanks again Fabio.

Now all I need is the 47/32 ammo!

I should have it soon.

Latch,
1) holes are puched in the steel plates.
2) I think they are the nuts/bolts who hold the ammo rack together...

QUOTE: Originally posted by scoccia Latch, if you look at the pic, there is a steel plate at the back of the ammo rack. That is usually locked. To get the shell it was unlocked, rotated towards the outside of the tank and it freed the access to the ammo. I hope I've been clear enough...

Thanks for the help Fabio.

I see what you are referring too. I do not see any latch on the metal plate though it may be in the open position and on the oposite side. I take it the two inner racks would be two sheet metal pieces with holes "punched" in it to accomodate the shells, or would they be flat bar type racks with only "indentions" to hold the shells?

There also appears to be a latch or buckle on each of the two verticle bars (closest to the inside of the vehicle) on the ammo rack. Each of these verticle bars has what appears to be a hinge at the bottom. Do you know how they worked? What was their function?

QUOTE: Originally posted by scoccia Hi Latch, I've got your message. I'll start digging asap. Just a courtesy: in the future can you pleas email me from your email account to my webmaster@cavalleriaitaliana.it address? Otherwise I have to came back here every time and dig in the posts to find this and reoly to you...

Will do in the future Fabio. Sorry for the inconvienience.

Latch,
if you look at the pic, there is a steel plate at the back of the ammo rack. That is usually locked. To get the shell it was unlocked, rotated towards the outside of the tank and it freed the access to the ammo.
I hope I've been clear enough...

Hi Latch,
I've got your message. I'll start digging asap. Just a courtesy: in the future can you pleas email me from your email account to my webmaster@cavalleriaitaliana.it address? Otherwise I have to came back here every time and dig in the posts to find this and reoly to you...

I got a pile of great photos from Bovington at one time. You can also surf their site: http://www.tankmuseum.org/
Those are great interior shots!


Ron

You're most welcome Latch, as all of the other guys who needs help on italian subjects. If I can I'll be more than willing to help.

I appreciate it Fabio.

Your information has really helped with this build.

Latch I forgot to tell you that I'm not everyday on FSM, you can reach me whenever you wish on www.armorama.com or to my e-mail address...

QUOTE: Originally posted by scoccia I think that the pipe you mention it's the pick's handle...

Dohhh

Thanks Fabio.

You are 100% correct that is nothing but a pick. I feel a little foolish, but if that's the worst of it, then we're OK.

I didn't see the "pick" until you pointed it out.

Fabio,

Thanks for the help. I will contact you If I have any further questions.

I love the look of Italian armor. I've been collecting kits I was interested in building for several years now. I've also been collecting track sets (Fruilmodel) and detail sets as time/money has allowed. My problem has allways been reference material and time.

Italian armor was used from the beginning of the war to the end. It was used in North Africa, throught the Italian campaign and Russia. It has allways puzzled me why it is not better represented in kit form.

I have the following Italian armor kits on the shelf to build:
Italeri: M13/40
Italeri: Semoventi 75L18
Tamiya: M13/40
Tamiya: Semoventi 75L18
Historica: M43 105/25 Bassotto w/interior
Historica: Sahariana w/20mm gun
Historica: Italian Cannone Ferroviario da 152/40 Railway Gun
Criel: Semoventi L6/40 (this is currently in process)
Criel: Lancia Truck w/90mm antiaircraft gun
Criel: OM25 Light Artillery Tractor
Criel: 65mm Infantry Gun
Criel: Skoda 10.5cm Field Howitzer

I didn't realize the list was that long.
I guess I better get busy!

Once again. Thank you.

I think that the pipe you mention it's the pick's handle... I think I answered all of your questions. If you need more pse feel fre to contact me whenewer you wish. I hope you will stick building Italian AFVs too...

Fabio,

Here is the picture I am refering too:

http://213.45.7.199/html/articoli/framearticoli.htm

Click on the Il Semovente da 47/32 nel R.E.Co. "Lodi" Dario Temperino
and it will take you to the picture

Thanks for clarifying the ammo.


Once again. Thanks so much for the help.

Latch, the pics are from the training manual and quite likely the ammo are fake just to show the use of the racks...
For the site address I've got a dynamic IP so you alsho have to refer to it typing www.cavalleriaitaliana.it, unless I will not manage to switch to a static IP.

These two pictures of the inside are fantastic!

I obviously have some scratchbuilding to do!

I feel better about that being the fuel tank on the back interior wall, but I wouldn't have if I had to be one of the crew on one of these little guys.

Thanks for the tip on the tracks as well. I would have installed the running gear and then installed the tracks.

QUOTE: Originally posted by shermanfreak Latch - you may want to check this site out http://www.cavalleriaitaliana.it It's the only link I have but you will be redirected to the new home page pf this site. Hope you've brushed up on your Italian !!!

Scoccia,

This is the site where I saw the picture. It is a 3/4 end view of the L6. I cannot access the site anymore, so I don't know what is happening. I just keep getting the dreaded X-Box.

Thanks for the help!!!

Scoccia,

Thanks so much.

Why do the rounds of ammo look white too? What is the color of the ammo suppose to be? The other pictures I have of 47mm Italian ammo don't look white?

Once again, Thanks so much for the help.

Latch,
Question 1: the interiors are completely white as you can see from the attached pics.
Question 2: yes it's the fuel tank

Latch,
I've started digging in the documentation and I'll answer precisely your 1 & 2 questions soon.

3. In one of the photos supplied on the thread it shows an L6/40 from the rear. There is a "pipe" leading from the lower rear plate to above the top of the engine compartment. What is this?
Can you insert the pic you mention in this thread too so I can identify it?

Any heads up on the Criel kit that I need to be aware of?
Be very careful with the tracks because they're very delicate. What I suggest is to take them off the sprue, clean them and start putting them together starting from the sprocket. To glue the links use a pin dipped in superglue being careful not to glue them to the sprocket. Once you've done do the same around the idler, then start to put together the straight link lenghts on a flat surface being sure to line them up properly (you can find helpful to use a loop of low tack tape). Once the glue dies take the tracks sections off the sprocket and the idler and paint them together with the straight ones as sub assemblies that you will put together later on on the suspensions. To avoid surprises do not glue the suspensions to the lower hull until you will put the tracks on. Once everything is in place you can gently heat up with an hair dryer the tracks where you want to show a bit of sag. In this case use a toothpick to gently press the heated trach to give it the sag.

I hope to be back to you asap

Thanks Scoccia,

I really appreciate your help.

Latch,
I've got your message. I'll start working on it asap.

Thanks Robert and Fabio. The links are great.
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