The Carro Armato P26/40 was a 26 ton tank, classified by Italy as a heavy tank, though by international standards it fills the role of a medium tank.
It’s development started in 1940 by the orders of il Duce to create a tank that combines fire power, armour protection and speed similar to German Panzer III, but development was very slow because a new engine had to be developed to power the vehicle.
In 1941 the design was heavily revised by the influence of the T-34, it’s armour was slopped and it’s frontal armour increased.
Though the original specifications were for a 3 men turret, the final design had a less effective 2 men turret.
Though the design is Italy’s best tank fielded in the war, it’s no better than the standard T-34 or Sherman tank.
It’s 75 mm Ansaldo 75 L/34 cannon can penetrate 79mm of armour and 100mm armour with EPS M42 HEAT.
The first few tanks have been finished before the Armistice in 1943, but it was first deployed by German and Italian RSI units protecting Italy from Allied invasion.
