Italeri 7053 ABM 42 with 47/32 Anti Tank Gun

The SPA-Viberti AS.42 Sahariana was an Italian reconnaissance vehicle from the Second World War. The first prototypes of the vehicle were created in 1942, and serial production continued in the years 1942-1943, ending with the production of about 300 vehicles of this type. The Sahariana was powered by a 100 HP diesel engine. The vehicle is armed with a single 20mm automatic cannon or a 47mm cannon and 3 Breda mod. 1937 cal. 8 mm.

SPA-Viberti AS.42 Sahariana was created as a result of the inspiration of the Italian command by the considerable successes achieved by British distant reconnaissance units (LRDG) in North Africa. AS.42 is based on many subassemblies and elements used in AB.40 and AB.41 trucks. It was characterized by good maneuverability and mobility in desert terrain and a high maximum speed. However, it was poorly armored, but most of all complicated to operate and manufacture, and expensive. The latter elements effectively inhibited really high-volume production. AS.42 Sahariana was used during the fighting in North Africa in 1942-1943 and during the fighting in Sicily (1943) and during the Italian campaign (1943-1945). A small number of them were also used by the Germans.