The SPA 36R light truck was designed in parallel with the SPA 38R, distinguished externally by the front of its engine hood, with a horseshoe grille instead of rectangular and an engine which was air-cooled unlike that of the SPA 38R. The idea was to use it in Colonial desertic areas and mountains in winter. In both case water was either rare of frozen). However only a small number were made. Indeed after the first were sent to Libya in 1938, they appeared way too fragile and the production was stopped. They nevertheles took part in actions on several fronts until 1943 but most remained in the mainland.

Development

The previous FIAT S.25 Truck

The SPA-36R light truck was born from the need of the Armed Forces to replace the now obsolete SPA-25 C/10 with studies launched in 1933 for a planned adoption in 1935. It was decided to create a standard declined into two basic models, the popular 38R and the 36R. The difference between the two was a liquid cooled engine for one, and an air-cooled engine for the other. The 36R was supposed to be used in the desert and mountainous areas as it needed air instead of water for the engine to be cooled down.



In the first case due to scarcity and in the second, due to frozen water in sub-zero temperatures. It had also a horseshoe radiator grille and redesigned bonnet. However the 36R had little success and was produced in 2500 vehicles from 1934 to 1936, seeing mostly action in Libya in 1940-41, most being lost there.

The FIAT SPA 36R was designed to replace the old SPA 25C and in 1933 and conceived at the Società Piemontese Automobili (SPA) controlled by Fiat's truck division. It presented the Fiat-SPA 38R with water cooling and 36R with air cooling, with latter more promising for colonial service, the African theater. They were to be distributed to mountain units of the Alpini as well. The two truck were seen as complementary depending of the theater of operation.

Design

For its chassis or mechanics, the 36R was nearly identical to the 38R but with a slight increase in empty weight. Full loaded weight was 5.7 tones with a 2 tons payload It was also a bit larger overall due to the larger Fiat 18 4,426 cm³ in-line 6-cylinder Fiat petrol engine (rated for 50 hp) at 2000 rpm. Externally it was characterized by its semi-cylindrical upper part (horseshoe) grille and rounded engine hood as a sure difference. The 36R was capable of 52 km/h and could cover 270 km to 310 km on standard roads at moderate speeds, based on a 208 l fuel tank. The truck had a wheelbase of 3,500 mm and 1,545 mm/1,427 mm front and rear tracks. Like the 38R it had the same dashboard, cabin, pedals, wheel and seats, and the same metal roof and simple frame with canvas windows with plastic.

It had a flatbed at the rear configurable to carry both troops on two bunks (10 equipped infantry) or supply. Like the 38R it had no particular qualities to deal with bad roads or off-road conditions, snow, mud or deep sand. Apart better, larger tyres and reinforced suspensions this was a rear drive truck with directional front wheels only, limited agility and torque. In the end, the air-cooled engine, albeit more powerful was finnickier and costier to produce and with antigel and better management it was simply seemed as redundant. Production was thus short, from 1934 to 1936, the figure is difficult to estimate, around 2,500 were delivered. Those who survived Africa were back in Italy in WW2, using better roads. In contrast, production focused on the 38R and went on until 1943, with 27,000 delivered.

Operational use

Both were adopted in 1935 and the R36 soon ended in Libya by 1937 and East Africa in 1936, but they were subject here of many breakdowns. Orders followed this experience were ended and the water-cooled 36R was found far more reliable, and acquired in far larger numbers. It was used successfully between the Spanish Civil War and on all fronts in WWII unlike the 36R, kept by the Alpinin in Mainland Italy and barred from the Colonies, apart for isolated units in Libya. Some according to photos, did saw action indeed in North Africa anyway due to trucks shortages in general. Unlike the 38R which service was maintained in the 1950s, the 36R was phased out after 1945. Since Fiat ceased production in 1936 already, maintenance proved very difficult, added to its natural unreliability.

Sources

Gli Autoveicoli tattici e logistici del Regio Esercito fino al 1943, Nicola Pignato e Filippo Cappellano, 2005.
Gli Autoveicoli del Regio Esercito nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare.
Amatori, Franco; et al. (1992). Storia della Lancia — Impresa Tecnologie Mercati 1906–1969. Milan.
Semicingolati, motoveicoli e veicoli speciali del Regio Esercito Italiano 1919/1943, Giulio Benussi, Intergest
Nicola Pignato, Gli Autoveicoli del Regio Esercito nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Storia Militare.
Nicola Pignato e Filippo Cappellano, Gli autoveicoli tattici e logistici del Regio Esercito italiano fino al 1943
Giulio Benussi, Semincingolati, motoveicoli e veicoli speciali del Regio Esercito Italiano 1919/1943, Intergest, 1976.
on wikipedia.it
on cultura.trentino.it
centoventesimo.com
italie1935-45.com
wardrawings.be

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SPA 36R specifications
Dimensions	5,83 x 2,010 x 2,60 meters
Wheelbase	3,500 mm
Axle span (fwd/rear)	1,545 mm/1,427 mm
Total weight, battle ready	3,200 kg - Full Weight 5,700 kg
Crew	2 (driver, co-driver) + 10 troops
Propulsion	Fiat 16R 6-cyl. inline 4,426 cm, 2,000 rpm, 50 hp
Top speed	52 km/h
Payload	Circa 2 tons
Transmission & suspension	4x2 Transmission, 4+1 speed, leaf spring
Maximum range (on/off road)	310 km (cons. 28 liters/100 km)
Armament	None
Production	c2,500

Reference illustrations

Vehicle painted in the basic Verde Sciuro, Italy 1935.


Vehicle used in Libya, 1938


Vehicle used by the RSI, Gothic Line winter 1944-45.

Photos

SPA 36R


36R Chassis

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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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