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SPA Dovunque protetto
SPA Dovunque protetto
Type	Armored personnel carrier
Place of origin	Kingdom of Italy
Service history
In service	1944
Used by	Black Brigades
Production history
Designer	Viberti
Manufacturer	Società Piemontese Automobili
No. built	Limited
Specifications
Mass	4,700 kg (10,400 lb)
Length	5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
Width	2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
Height	2.35 m (7 ft 9 in); 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in the covered version
Crew	2+10
Armour	10 mm frontal armour ; 8 mm side and rear armour
Main; armament	8 mm Fiat-Revelli Mod. 14/35
Engine	18T gasoline, 4-cylinder, 4053 cm³; 55 hp (41 kW)
Power/weight	11,70 hp/t
Transmission	6x4
Fuel capacity	285 km (177 mi)
Maximum speed	45 km/h

The SPA Dovunque 35 prottetto (Italian for anywhere and protected) is a wheeled armored troop carrier, produced in Italy and employed by the Black Brigades of the Italian Social Republic during World War II.

History

Since 1938, within the Royal Italian Army, there was emerging a requirement for a transport vehicle for the troops and for the Bersaglieri infantry regiments of the armored divisions. The Viberti introduced since in 1941 a prototype based on the SPA Dovunque 35 truck, however, technical doubts (the excessive weight of the armor on the chassis) and doctrinal questions on the use of such vehicle not turned the project into a contract. The prototype remained in Viberti workshops until 11 November 1944, when it was requisitioned by the Black Brigade Ather Capelli of Turin.^[1]

Meanwhile, in 1942 the final version was set, with the top of the transport compartment covered. With the pressure of events in April 1945, the samples still being built at Viberti workshops, both covered top version and uncovered, were requisitioned by the various factions. At least three were taken by Republicans of the Social Republic. Two vehicles were captured by the Italian partisans, one was destroyed by a Panzerfaust from a legionary of the 29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (italienische Nr. 1) (the Italian SS division).^[2]

Description

The vehicle is based on the chassis of the off-road truck 6x4 SPA Dovunque 35 extensively modified. The general approach, with the walls of the transport compartment angled, is inspired by the German half-tracks Sd.Kfz.251. The hull is made from riveted steel clad plates with a thickness of 10 mm. The engine, in frontal position, is protected by a short snout with angular fins in the radiator protection. In the cabin are placed on the right the driver and on the left the crew commander; the view is guaranteed by two windows protected by armored door; access to the cabin is guaranteed by two side door. The rear of the cabin continues with the transport compartment, in which can sit up to 10 soldiers on benches placed against the sloping walls. The team can access the vehicles from a rear door that can be opened into two elements. The soldiers on board can use personal weapons through four slits on each side of the vehicle and two on the back. The final draft was expected to Armored cover both the cabin and the transportation compartment, with three large doors available to the crew, but on the pictures received such coverage never appears.^[3]

Gallery

3/4 view.
fighting compartment and cabin.
SPA with Black Brigades on it

Note

^ Pignato, Nicola; Cappellano, Filippo. Gli Autoveicoli da combattimento dell' Esercito Italiano (in Italian). Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito.
^ Pignato, Nicola; Cappelano, Filippo. Gli Autoveicoli da combattimento dell' Esercito Italiano (in Italian). Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito.
^ Crippa, Paolo (2006). I reparti corazzati della Repubblica Sociale Italiana 1943/1945. Marvia Edizioni.