Richard Farrant Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 A FIAT SPA gun tractor? I saw a running one at an event in Australia this year. It was captured in North Africa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Some photos of the FIAT SPA seen running in Australia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goanna Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) The captured Fiat spent its post war life on a farm in Gippsland . It still had the original bodywork in the 1950's. Two of these captured Fiats were taken up to New Guinea , so the owner says. Edited November 10, 2017 by goanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 4 minutes ago, goanna said: The captured Fiat spent its post war life on a farm in Gippsland . It still had the original bodywork in the 1950's. Two of these captured Fiats were taken up to New Guinea , so the owner says. Hi Mike, The owner told me he has both of them, captured in North Africa, brought to Australia then they went to New Guinea. I think he said one was used as a recovery vehicle in NG. Fascinating history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 Thanks for posting those wonderful pictures - a very rare and interesting vehicle indeed. my own project just took a quantum leap forward, after 2 years of searching and placing of adverts, I just acquired an engine from San Marino. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 (edited) Can anyone on here tell me if this registration number is Italian Army? 731AJ - 14 Edited November 2, 2019 by mark m uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 might also be a french civil license plate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 Thank you Citroman, I will start some research based on that. All I know for sure is that this wS built in Italy. like many Italian Army vehicles, there is a good chance it was commandeered by the Germans, and entirely possible it found its way to France, as it has original ‘Normandy 3 colour Camo’ paint. The only other thing I know is that it was sold at auction in the early 70’s, and came to the U.K. So, a good chance it is French. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 1 hour ago, mark m uk said: Thank you Citroman, I will start some research based on that. All I know for sure is that this wS built in Italy. like many Italian Army vehicles, there is a good chance it was commandeered by the Germans, and entirely possible it found its way to France, as it has original ‘Normandy 3 colour Camo’ paint. The only other thing I know is that it was sold at auction in the early 70’s, and came to the U.K. So, a good chance it is French. Hi Mark, If the registration is French civilian, then the 14 means it was registered in the Calvados region, Caen, Normandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 2 minutes ago, Richard Farrant said: Hi Mark, If the registration is French civilian, then the 14 means it was registered in the Calvados region, Caen, Normandy Thank you Richard, your sleuth skills are to be applauded. I love it when all the dots join up - so, it would seem that this was indeed used in Normandy, captured and pressed into post war civilian service. Thanks again, regards, Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 No problem, glad to help! regards, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 I asked on the french citroen truck site. They say it could be an 1952 civil registration from calvados. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 Well, the dots are definitely joined up now. thanks Citroman - that is very interesting and useful information. Regards, Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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