The TL.37 was an Italian military artillery tractor of World War II. It was manufactured by

SPA A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water (and sometimes seawater) is used to give medicinal baths. Spa towns or spa resorts (including hot springs resorts) typically offer various health treatments, which are also known as balneothe ...

(''Società Piemontese Automobili''), an Italian car maker that was a subsidiary of

Fiat Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. (, , ; originally FIAT, it, Fabbrica Italiana Automobili di Torino, lit=Italian Automobiles Factory of Turin) is an Italian automobile manufacturer, formerly part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and since 2021 a subsidiary ...

Development and history

The tractor was chosen for the

Royal Italian Army The Royal Italian Army ( it, Regio Esercito, , Royal Army) was the land force of the Kingdom of Italy, established with the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. During the 19th century Italy started to unify into one country, and in 1861 Manfre ...

in 1938 as the result of a design competition between SPA and '' Breda Meccanica Bresciana'' for a light artillery tractor. It was subsequently used during World War 2 by all the Italian forces and was bought by Hungary. After the Italian Armistice in 1943, it continued to be used by German forces. Post–war, it was in service until 1948 with the Italian Navy. The vehicle was notable for having four-wheel steering, that enabled it to have a turning circle. It was able to pull artillery pieces of 75mm and 100mm at a speed of on road, carrying five gun–crew in addition to the driver and of artillery ammunition. It was also able to climb a 40-degree slope. A self-propelled gun variant was also built, with a Cannone da 75/27 modello 11 fitted at the rear. The TL.37 was also the basis for a general–purpose truck, the Fiat–

SPA AS.37 The SPA AS.37 was an Italian military light truck, used during World War II. The AS.37 Autocarro Sahariano was developed from 1937 on the frame of the TL.37 artillery tractor and was especially conceived to be employed in the North African dese ...

, and two armoured cars the Fiat–SPA S37 (''Fiat-SPA Autoprotetto S37'') and the Fiat-SPA AS43.

Bibliography

* Gli Autoveicoli tattici E logistici del Regio Esercito Italiano fino Al 1943, tomo secondo, Stato Maggiore dell' Esercito, Ufficio Storico, Nicola Pignato & Filippo Cappellano, 2005 * Gli Autoveicoli del Regio Esercito nella Assisted Guerra Mondiale, Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare * Dal TL 37 all ' A.S. 43, It trattore leggero, the autocarro sahariano, I derivati, artigliery, GMT, Nicola Pignato, Filippo Cappellano * Trattore leggero SPA TL 37, Notiziario Modellistico GMT 2/91, Nicola Pignato (pp. 4–15)

External links

TL-37 Tractor of Fiat SPA
(Video)
ASPHM SPA TL37 Trattore
(Video) {{DEFAULTSORT:Tl.37 World War II vehicles of Italy Artillery tractors