Italian tankettes

[narwan]

As you are likely to know most of the tankette conversions you mention here were field modifications done by the units deploying them. This was done to add some firepower and/or AT capability to the tankettes. Mainly in theatres were other, heavier, armor was in short supply or altogehter unavailable. Many of the modifications available in the game have their origin in Italian East Africa. The Italian forces there were cut off from Italy at the start of the war. The had a couple of medium tanks but only a handful. They did have quite a few tankettes and some of these were 'upgunned'. The CV-38/Brixia for example is an actual field modification from IEA.

As field modifications these variants are not well documented. Field modifications from remote area's like Italian East Africa are even less well documented, especially for tankettes which is a type of AFV that has not exactly captured the imagination of many enthusiasts. What is available is almost exclusively in Italian sources. Did they have either a gun or an mg and not both? Could be, hard to find out. The original designer of the Italian OB had (Italian) sources which resulted in the current configurations. And a problem with field modifications is that often no two vehicles are exactly alike.

This has been an issue during playtesting actually and the choice was made to leave the field modifications in as they are, even if these consisted of just a few vehicles in reality. Just think of these as possible modifications that could be made quite easily and which at different times were made. Gives players something extra to play around with. As far as I know the AI will pick regular tankettes for it's forces, not 'conversions'.

I doubt very much additional variations will be added or that the current ones will be modified.


The range for tankettes is deliberately low. This not due a lack of sights but because of the very low profile of these vehicles with the weapons being mounted relatively low. That means the view for the crew is very, very limited and that is reflected in the range for the weapons.

Narwan