MAP CONTROLS: Use slider or mousewheel to zoom, and hold down left mouse button
to drag.
KEY: Location markers are coloured from Green meaning exact to Red meaning
gone or unknown (details here)
|
Click here or on the image for this location's profile page
Fabio Temeroli is a military vehicle enthusiast and the founder of the SPA Militare association. His collection includes an L3 tankette, an Autoblinda AB41/43 armoured car, a Saharan AS37 truck, a SPA35 truck and an SPA TL37 light tractor.
The L3, along with the other vehicles, was manufactured by SPA (Societa Ligure Piemontese Automobili). In fact the majority of all Italian combat vehicles built during the Second World War were manufactured by the FIAT/Ansaldo combination. FIAT (Fabrrica Italiana Automobili Torino) or SPA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FIAT, provided the engine, transmission and running gear while Ansaldo-Fossati provided the armour and armament.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
1071
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“RE 2451” painted on rear plate.
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
Painted in a three colour camouflage scheme of overall green with brown and black spots.
|
This L3 has been beautifully restored and is in running order. It was recovered in Corsica, where it had been used as a tractor on a farm. The restoration began in 2000 and took 15 months of work to complete. (Source: M. Foti).
Temeroli originally learned of this L3 during a telephone conversation in September 2000. Having determined that the report was genuine, and after a long sequence of negotiations by email, he travelled to Ajaccio in Corsica. There he first saw it, in a fenced enclosure surrounded by other rusty vehicles, converted to pull a plough. The rubber on its wheels was worn down, the armour was holed, and the engine was missing. The differential and transmission were encased in oil, sand and dirt. With some hesitation it was retrieved, and transported back to the mainland via Bastia.
After assessment and planning the restoration began with complete dismantling. The hull was stripped and sandblasted, then welded and rebuilt. The differential, including clutch and gearbox, was dismantled. It was found that the gears were in good condition, but the bearings were poor and so replacements were found. The engine was also replaced, and eventually the meticulous restoration was completed. Since then this L3 has been displayed at a number of historical and re-enactment events in the Rimini area.
|