The Breda 51 was an Italian multi-purpose off-road vehicle developed in the 1930s.

History

The first prototype of a truck suitable for all types of terrain was presented by

Società Italiana Ernesto Breda Società Italiana Ernesto Breda (), more usually referred to simply as Breda, was an Italian mechanical manufacturing company founded by Ernesto Breda in Milan in 1886. History The firm was founded by Ernesto Breda in Milan in 1886. It original ...

to the Studies and Experiences Office in December 1936. The assessments continued until 1938, including tests in

Italian East Africa Italian East Africa ( it, Africa Orientale Italiana, AOI) was an Italian colony in the Horn of Africa. It was formed in 1936 through the merger of Italian Somalia, Italian Eritrea, and the newly occupied Ethiopian Empire, conquered in the Seco ...

. The outcome was positive and after some essentially aesthetic modifications, 48 were ordered by the ministry. In parallel, it was adopted by the Royal Army, which used it on all fronts during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

and, after the end of the conflict, by the

Italian Army "The safeguard of the republic shall be the supreme law" , colors = , colors_labels = , march = ''Parata d'Eroi'' ("Heroes's parade") by Francesco Pellegrino, ''4 Maggio'' (May 4) ...

Technology

The configuration is the 3-axle with advanced cab, common to the Dovunque vehicle family, such as the Fiat Dovunque 33, Fiat-SPA Dovunque 35 and SPA Dovunque 41. Traction is 6x4, on the two rear axles with twin wheels. The spare wheels were keyed in neutral between the first and second axles, as on all Dovunque vehicles, to facilitate the overcoming of obstacles.

Versions

The Royal Army adopted it in the version with a reduced and more spartan cabin, the 'Breda 51' 'Colonial', used as a heavy artillery tractor for troops located mainly in

Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya bo ...

. In 1941 a model was produced with stronger chassis frame, the 'Breda 52, ' destined to become the basis for the later

trucks A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction ...

Related items

* Autocannone Breda 52 da 90/53

References

{{reflist World War II vehicles of Italy Military vehicles of Italy