The M42 Contraereo was a prototype Italian self-propelled anti-air gun that started development in 1942, and was designed to help combat the RAF, which was posing a major problem for Italian forces in North Africa. After testing was finished, the prototype was serviced by Italian troops in Rome, and was eventually captured by German troops once Italy had entered armistice. The prototype saw use near the end of the war with the V SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgskorps near the Teupitz area south of Berlin.
The M42 Contraereo was made from a modified hull of an M15/42 medium tank, with the hull machine guns removed, and a new, partially enclosed hexagonal turret installed that housed four 20 mm Scotti-IF 20/70 mod.41 cannons. These cannons hold 160 rounds each per belt which is great, but there is no reserve ammunition carried on the vehicle, so you have to return to the rearm point after getting through one belt.
So, comparing it to the Skink, which is the most similar in role to this vehicle, there are two major areas that are different. In terms of armament, the 20mm cannons on both vehicles do just about the same damage, but diverge heavily in terms of how the ammunition is handled. While the M42 does has much longer 160 round belts that can allow for longer continual fire, it’s ammunition is limited to ONLY the 640 round belt initially loaded (meaning it will have to be a mix of AP/HVAP and HE instead of having choice between AP or HE). The Skink on the other hand does have much shorter 30 round magazines for each of the cannons, but has an incredible amount of reserve ammunition holding 1,920 rounds total. Additionally, the Skink has the luxury of having a hull machine gun to use against infantry while the main guns are overheated, but the M42 lacks this.
In terms of armor, the Skink is very well protected for it’s BR, having the hull armor of a Sherman and an adequately armored turret that makes is resistant to a good amount of threats. The M42 though, is very lightly armored on the other hand. With the hull of the M15 being 30mms thick frontally, and having the 15mm thick turret be fairly open, this makes it a much easier target to take out.
I think that the M42 can be a fun vehicle to use in game, and while it might not be the most viable, I think that if it’s low BR it will be a worthy addition to the game.
- Yes
- No
- TT
- Event (with squad)
- Event (without squad)
- Premium
- BR1
- BR2
- BR3
- BR4
- BR5