Tankettes - How Useful in CS?

[Kool Kat]

Howdy gents: :smoke:

In my research work for my H2H scenario (First Battle of Tembien), I learned that the Italians utilized a number of tankettes - like the Carro Veloce CV-33

Brief History:

During the 1920s the Italians saw a Carmen-Loyd 2 man tank and purchased 6 some. Italy also got the rights to manufacture them. Twenty-five were built and called the CV (Carro Veloce) 29 (CV-284). Ansaldo produced them with some components made by FIAT. Originally called CV.33 and CV.35 until 1938 when were redesignated. Was armed with a 6.5 mm water cooled MG, and later armed with an air cooled MG.
Had a bolted superstructure and improved vision equipment. Had a Breda 13.2 mm MG. First saw action against Ethiopian tribesman at Ual-Ual in December 1934. Also saw action in Ethiopia, Spain, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Crete, North Africa, Russia, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Italy. Were also sold to Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Nationalist Spain, and Salvador.

In "pure" military terms, the Italian CV-33 was not very successful in Ethiopia and North Africa. The Italians discovered that armor had its limitations in the desert, as the CV-33 tankettes heated up to 120 degrees F. After a couple of days, the two-man crews were too exhausted to function properly! :eek1: Also, the bolted superstructure and metal used in its design were inferior to most other AFVs of its day. I read accounts in which broken-down Italian tankettes were simply abandoned by their crews and never recovered! :eek1:

In "pure" CS terms, the Italian CV-33 has "some" benefits: Pros: Speed and being armored helps too. Cons: Poor defense and attack strength. Tactics: Scout and spot.

In your CS gaming experiences, how have you utilized tankettes? Do you find them "superior" to armored cars? What tankettes (models) do you consider the "best" in terms of performance - speed and armament?

Interested in learning from your experience with tankettes! :smoke: