SPA-Viberti AS.42

The SPA-Viberti AS.42 Sahariana was an Italian reconnaissance car of World War II. The AS 42 Sahariana was developed by SPA-Viberti using the same chassis as the AB 41 armoured car, including its four-wheel steering, specifically for desert operations, primarily in a reconnaissance role. Its origins trace back to requests stemming from units operating on the North African Front for a long range, highly manoeuvrable vehicle, similar to those widely used by the highly successful British reconnaissance forces, the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG).

Design

The Sahariana engine located in the rear which gave it enough space in the middle of the hull to accommodate up to five fully equipped men and weapons, though the mission crew seldom exceeded three or four. The open compartment's only overhead protection was a waterproof canvas sheet. The AS 42 had front and rear internal fuel tanks of 200 litres each with an additional 24 externally mounted jerrycans holding 80 litres of water and 400 litres of fuel.

Various armament combinations were used, which included:

• 8 mm Breda model 37 machine-gun
• 20 mm Breda model 35 gun
• 20 mm Solothurn S18/1000 anti-tank rifle
• 47 mm Breda 47/32 gun

Service

The AS 42 Sahariana's performance was very good, but it was expensive to manufacture and the vehicle was mechanically complicated. There are no known surviving complete examples of an AS 42 Sahariana.

See also

• S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili)

References

• Vanderveen, beard: The Observer's Fighting Vehicles directory (World War II)

External links

• Italian newsreel footage