The Fiat 634 was an Italian heavy truck ("Gigante") produced by Fiat Veicoli Industriali and nicknamed "Elefante". It existed first in the civilian service, and was soon modified to be adopted by the Italian Royal Army. Thousands were used by the Royal Army in WW2 where they performed a large varieties of duties on the battlefield, from troop to tank transport, supply and declined as self-propelled guns, often rearmed with older Regia Marina guns as portee for the North African Campaign.

The Civilian Fiat 634

Fiat 634G's cabin, showing its berth for the driver's long journey across Europe. It really was the ancestor's of today's 38-tonners.

The development of this truck paralleled the smaller Fiat 632, as a complement in the super heavy segment of Fiat's catalogue. The two trucks represented the first Italian diesel-powered heavy trucks made at Turin. The 634 had a two-axle chassis like the 632 but with a longer wheelbase, and a rear-wheel drive with twin wheels on the axle, then long bonnet forward after which was mounted a relatively narrow cab. It was produced in three subsequent series (see later).


FIAT 634N2 with a Officine Viberti innovative cabin. Src italie1935-45.com

The first series launched in 1931, represented by the Fiat 634N (N stands for Nafta, "diesel"), was powered by the 8,312 cm³ 6-cylinder Fiat 355 direct injection diesel, delivering 75 hp at 1,700 rpm. Like for the 632, the cabin is rustic and utilitarian, angular, with a rectangular grille.

In 1933, the Fiat 634N1 entered production, with the same cabin, same mechanics, but a new engine Fiat 355C, 6 in-line cylinders displacing new 8,355 cm³ and rated for 80 hp, again at 1700 rpm.

The third series Fiat 634N2 started in parallel with the N1 in 1933 also, but was made exclusively for the civilian market. It had a profoundly redesigned cabin, more rounded and with an elegant line, more modern equipments and amenities. It was also approved for towing a newly developed 10 ton trailer for a combined weight of 24 tons, enormous for the time. It had also a much heavier payload and was used as "land train" in the later interwar. However in 1940 this N2 version was also requisitioned and impressed by the Royal Army for its needs as well.

A "fourth" serie appeared in 1934, more of a derivative, powered by a gas generator using coal. Called the Fiat 634G, it had the Fiat 255G 6-cylinder in-line with a capacity of 9,972 cm³ and delivering 80 hp at 2,100 rpm. It became a standard in Europe, delivering goods from Russia to the Netherlands. It was the first to offer as well the "artillery" type wheels (spoked, typical of late 1930s Italian trucks) and a 24 volt electrical system, but also a berth for the handler on long journeys. Only Renault would offer the same comfort on its 3-axle truck AFKD in 1941.

The military 643NM

A FIAT 634N with an L6/40 light tank on the cargo bay towing a Rimorchio Unificato Viberti da 15t (pinterest)

Although designed initially for the civilian market, the N/N1, as well as the N2 to a lesser extent, had such exceptional qualities that they were acquired with limited modifications by the three Branches of the Italian Army: Royal Army (Esercito), Navy (Marina) and Air Force (Aeronautica).

Design

The FIAT 634NM as the military variant was used mostly by the Regio Esercito to carry troops and supplies. It was cloesel based on the N1 with some modifications, chief of which was the adoption of spoked "artillery" roadwheels. The brakes and suspensions remained the same, but storage bins for tooling were installed for ward underneath the rear flatbed. There was also a storage pannier built above the cab.

The Fiat 634NM was initially powered at first with the Fiat 355 engine 6-cylinder 8.3-litre diesel but the standard became the 1933 Fiat 355C with a capacity 8.4-litre (8,355 cc) and rated for 80 hp (60 kW) with far more torque. The 634NM was also used with a trailer. Top Speed on road, empty, was 40 km/h (25 mph) and max useful Payload was 7,640 kg (16,843 lb), but during the war ten tonnes or more were frequent. The leaf spring suspensions were put to great stresses, added to the fact the vehicle, while not designed for venturing off-road, was still used as such, including on punishing ground like rocky Ethiopia.

The Fiat 634NM was 7.434 metres (24.39 ft) long for 2.40 metres (7 ft 10 in) wide, and 3.24 metres (10.6 ft) overall. The flatbed could received a set of six arches for a tarpaulin. The sides were composed of a metal frame and wooden cover, fixed while the rear could fold back to ease loading. In addition to the four storage bins extra space was also made to lodge a set of jerrycans, in particular for those used in Africa. The vehicle was unarmed. Tehcnically the vehicles were registered as "N1" or "N2", never as "NM" officially.

Models

• Fiat 634N - diesel mil. version 1931-1932 Fiat 355 8,312cc engine, 75 hp at 1700 rpm 12.0
• Fiat 634N1 - diesel mil. version 1933-1939 Fiat 355C 8,355cc engine 80 hp at 1700 rpm 12.0
• Fiat 634N2 - diesel, new cab, civilian version 1933-1939 Fiat 350C 8,355cc, 80 hp at 1,800 rpm 12.0, 24.0 with trailer
• Fiat 634G - Gas generator 1934-1939 Fiat 250G 9,972cc 80 hp at 2,100 rpm 12, 24 with trailer

Variants

Specifications
Dimensions	3.24 x 7.434 x 2.40 (10.6 ft x 24.39 ft x 7 ft 10 in)
Total weight, battle ready	c7 tonnes
Crew	1 driver, up to 30 troops
Propulsion	Fiat Tipo 355 Diesel 6-cyl. engine 8312 cm³, 75hp
Top speed	40 km/h (25 mph)
Payload	7,640 kg (16,843 lb)
Transmission & suspension	FIAT 634N’s gearbox 3+1 speeds
Maximum range (on/off road)	170 liters, 400 km
Armament	None
Armor	None
Production	c1,500

Operational use

Autocannone da 102/35 su FIAT 634N 1st Series opening a column of Italian vehicles. The second one is a FIAT 1100, while the other trucks were FIAT 666NMs. Src: o5m6.de

Although all 3 series were used by the armed forces, the specifically military version ("M" for "Militare") was derived from the Fiat 634N1. Disc roadwheels were replaced by "artillery" spoked ones. Several hundred were deployed by the Royal Army and used first in the Ethiopian War and then in the Spanish Civil War. During the Second World War, N1 versions with their wooden body were impressed as well as became widely used both for transporting of troops and supplies as well as tank carriers, mostly the Leggere series tankettes of the CV-33, 36 or 39 models, as well as the Carro Medio M14/41 but only on a trailer long enough.

It was also used in dedicated versions, such as the Cisterna (tanker) version, used both by the Aeronautica and Esercito. Later during the war in Africa appeared the Cannone da 102/35 su Fiat 643 N1, Cannone da 76/40 Modello 1916 in portee. They proved very useful despite their lack of protection to compensate for the Royal Army lack of self propelled guns, in a varitey of roles. In fact only the Fiat 634 and Lancia 3RO could offer this capability.

The Regia Marina also used some carrying a Breda 20mm/65 for AA defence for its overseas bases, operated by personnel of the Maritime Artillery Militia. During the Italian East African Campaign in 1941, the Monti workshops in Gondar also produced an armored car on the chassis of the Fiat 634, using two turrets recuperated from the Lancia 1Z. Thus armoured vehicle was called the "Fiat-Monti" (see links below, this was treated in tank encyclopedia) used in counter-guerrilla operations.

Autocannone da 102/35 su FIAT 634N

The cannone da 102/35, mounted on the truck Fiat SPA 9000 was produced from 1914 and became the first Italian gun truck and first truly mobile artillery, self-propelled gun. It was basically an anti-aircraft naval gun to be installed on cruisers ad postwar, these portee returned to civilian applications, while hte guns returned to the RM. By 1941 however the Fiat Tripoli plant converted seven Fiat 634 N with spare, vintage Regia Marina 102mm/35 S.A. (Schneider Ansaldo) guns, part of the defenses of Benghazi.

The 102/35 Mod. 1914 came with the OTO Mod. 33 and later Vickers-Terni Mod. 25 mount (most common). The closed cabin was cut out and instead given an optional canvas cover, the bonnet was open, with the louvres panels removed for extra ventilation, and four manually operated jacks were installed for installation. The flatbed platform could be expanded using two metal side rails pivoting in place to increase floor space. The crew sat on rear end platform benches doubling as ammunition bins.

Two "flying" batteries (1st and 6th) were created, working with detached Regia Marina auxiliary gunners and crews, the Maritime Artillery Militia of the Blackshirts. Some also vintage WW1 76mm/30 completed these batteries, also installed on the 634N trucks. The 1st Battery and a section of the 6th were assigned to the 132nd Armoured Division "Ariete" and one section of the 6th batterie was assigned to the 102nd Motorised Division "Trento".

By late 1941 they took part in the battle of Bir el Gobi (claiming 15 British tanks) but they were gradually all lost due to battle damage/accidents. Other were used for long-range bombardments and AA defences. But these portee had a high silhouette, while off-road performance plummitted, and the trucks became worn out as the result. None survived the North African campaign.

Cannone da 65/17 su Fiat 634

The cannone da 65/17 modello 13 su Fiat 634N was probably the best known of the portee adaptations for this artillery piece developed as a mountain/infantry gun. It entered service in 1913 and was lightweight to be used in difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions, a perfect fit for the conditions met duing WWI in the Alps. The carriage was fairly simple with a single trailing arm, solid-rim spoked wheels, horse drawn but it could be broken-down into five loads to be carried by mules on mountains trails. Despite its age it was still in large number present by April 1940, 700 being front line. Some were being repaired and upgraded, capable to up to 12 rpm with well trained crews.



Ammunition was plentiful so it saw immediately extensive use on all fronts. In North Africa it met the Fiat 634 and sometimes captured British Morris CS8 trucks. The concept of the "batterie volanti" (flying battery) was found particularly helpful. The dismounted mount base was bolted on the flatbed, but still enabled a full 360 degrees. In total, 28 guns were mounted in seven batteries, each made of four trucks, mostly Fiat 634Ns, which were preferred due to their larger size and payload. It was able to elevate up to +20 for a basic muzzle velocity of 320-355m/s with the HE, Shrapnel, Canister, AP (able to penetrate 3-inches of 76mm armour) rounds or Hollow Charge.

In 1936 this brand new armor piercing (AP) shell (4.23 kg) procured was in short supply. By 1942, some batteries used these as impromptu anti-tank platoons, and they found even better success with a limited issue shaped charge "EP" (effetto pronto – rapid effect) shell sail able to defeat 120 mm of armor, so everything the British Army possessed at the tile, even the Matilda, "queen of the desert".

Sources about the Fiat 634

Amatori, Franco; et al. (1992). Storia della Lancia — Impresa Tecnologie Mercati 1906–1969. Milan.
Gli Autoveicoli tattici e logistici del Regio Esercito Italiano fino al 1943, vol. II, Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito, Ufficio Storico, Nicola Pignato e Filippo Cappellano, 2005.
Gli Autoveicoli del Regio Esercito nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare.

https://forum.axishistory.com
en.fiatclub.eu
35_su_Fiat_634 on Nen.wikipedia.org
On warwheels.net
Monti Fiat (TE)
Autocannone da 102/35 su FIAT 634N (TE)
kfzderwehrmacht.de

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scalemates.com

Reference illustrations

Civilian Fiat 364N


Fiat 634NM


Fiat 634NM carrier


Fiat 634NM carrier


634NM winter camouflage


Fiat 634 su cannone da 107/17.


Fiat 634NM camouflaged


Autocanone da 90/53 su Fiat 634NM (abandoned as too heavy)


Autocanone 102/35 su Fiat 634N, by Godzilla


Fiat 634NM Cisterna

Photos

FIAT 634N2 outside the FIAT Lingotto plant in Turin. Src: italie1935-45.com


FIAT 634N, 1st prod. series. Src: italie1935-45.com


FIAT 634 N - 1937 - A.I.T.E. (Pinterest)


The Fiat 634 su cannone da 65/17


Fiat 634 dump truck

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Sd.Kfz 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were half-tracks designed just before the war as prime movers, to carry supplies, ammunition, personal, and tow artillery. Many were also converted during the war as armored versions carrying AA FLAK guns (Flakvierling, 37 mm, or the legendary 88 mm Rheinmetall als used as tank hunters), or were converted as nebelwerfer (rocket launching armored vehicles). They were built by Hanomag, Steyr, Mercedes-Benz, Bussing and many other manufacturers until 1945, over 20,000 half-tracks.

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