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Post Info TOPIC: Fiat 2000 replica
vollketten


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Fiat 2000 replica
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Fiat 2000 reconstruction

 

For the last year or more I have been working with a great team of Italian guys who have been working on building a full size (yes 1:1 scale) replica of the famous Fiat 2000 tank. There are obviously a few repro Renault FT’s and M1917, and even an A7V, St. Chamond, Schneider CA1, and British rhomboids. Until now Italian tanks haven’t gained much interest in WW1 circles but the Fiat 2000 is a huge iconic machine.

Well armoured and turreted this thing was massive and although only two were built the tank is a true WW1 tank and part of what is effectively a completely independent attempt at tank production in WW1 before Italy adopted (and modified) the Renault FT instead.

The project is led by a team of professionals and engineers and has been fundraising for several months now. Not surprising really considering the total projected cost is going to be several hundred thousand Euros.  

 

The fundraising has been going fairly well though selling mugs and polo shirts and has recently received official approval to go ahead with production. The project has its own Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Fiat2000/?ref=group_header where they post progress and technical updates as well as continue with the fundraising.

One vehicle will be built to meet the final specifications of the No.2 Fiat 2000 vehicle and fingers crossed she may be available eventually to tour tank shows in Europe such as Tankfest where her sheer size will definitely grab some attention. With luck manufacturing of parts will begin in the next couple of months although a few technical questions remain about the vehicle. I can picture some kind of line up of all of these repro WW1 vehicles at a show as being quite a sight to behold.

Courtesy of the Fiat 2000 committee here are some images from the CAD drawings for it prepared by the lead engineer Mr. Italiani. This is really a very exciting project to rebuild Italy's first and most famous tank and as it is a WW1 vehicle I wanted to bring it to the attention of the landships folks too.

GaVwCs2.jpg

 

RiUMWZN.jpg?1

 

 

More images as links to avoid photo overload.

https://i.imgur.com/RWkxuKM.jpg?1 

https://i.imgur.com/agQugr8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NJ0prZQ.jpg

 

I would ask that if anyone has any information, photos, references about the tank or the Fiat A12 engine that it would be very gratefully recevied as the team works ahrd to gather together all of the information on the vehicle. Much of which has been lost to time.

 

This image shows the actual original wooden tank model made by Fiat in about 1917 for the tank. This was purchased as the first step in the development last year and has actually been restored. It is being used to tour along with a small exhibit around various museums in Italy at the moment to build support and help raise money.

CGI3sC9.jpg

 

As you see it's not small, the big black box behind it is the custom-made travel box for the model as it is priceless and we don't want it to get damaged in transit.



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Roger Todd


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Incredible, what a fantastic project, good luck!

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tramfan


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What an incredible venture, GOOD LUCK.


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Owen Mulrooney
James H


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Blimey. That is fantastic. You must keep us up to date at all times.



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vollketten


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First track link casting finished... loads more to go but figuring this stuff out in the absence of plans takes a long time and all credit to Mario Italiani for his excellent work here. The video of the link being discussed is on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mario.italiani/videos/1880902178632305/?t=2 

UhEIGMM.pngIw6vwDf.png



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BC312


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I love one to one replicas. But its finding the drawings and dimensions which are the most difficult part of building such things, the rest is a piece of cake.

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vollketten


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Quick update but an important one.
Construction due to commence shortly. A firm has been contracted for the work.
Svecom of Vicenza will be doing the work.
www.svecom.com/

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vollketten


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Construction has begun - the first section being built is the lower part of the hull with the transverse supports. We've come a long way in just a short period of time for this project so its great to see metal being cut and put together for it.

OTuq3MP.jpg



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28juni14


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Impressive: keep the updates current please!



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vollketten


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One side has now been installed after being cut. She is a big beast but all the hard work is paying off. Fundraising continues to be a problem but I remain optimistic.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/2170859222965233/?fref=gc&dti=141146503273934&hc_location=ufi (fundraiser link in case anyone asked)

aKKecqC.jpg?2



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vollketten


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Ro1REDe.jpg?1 a36ppxj.jpg?1

Progress is going well as the fundraising has been going along. The other side of the lower hull is fitted and the axle for the drive sprockets is built and fitted. TYou can see that the drive gears have even been cut too.

Less obvious but no less crucial are the 'feet' on the ends of those transverse support 'I' beams which have their ends fitted now too- These will eventually take the outer armour panels on the sides.



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James H


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This is amazing.



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PFJN


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Hi,
That looks very impressive :)
PF

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vollketten


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Quick update.

YVlUyS3.jpg?1

Lots of work done on the hull including the front and now you really get a better impression of just how big this tank is.

The team really has been doing superb work on this project combining the engineering side with a good rummage in the Ansaldo archives for scraps of technical information and plans for her too. 

The front of the hull is now on and more work has been done of the driver wheels too and the drive chain. 

7OfZNms.png

Video tour of the hull



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vollketten


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Lots of progress since last update.
The hull crossbracing is complete and in. The first of the double-wheel bogies is assembled and in place and some of the leaf-springs sets have been assembled.

wZwQrX2.jpg?1p7UMfqz.jpg?19VQIXGs.jpg?1CJVOQdH.jpg?1



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vollketten


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Just a short update for those not following the construction on facebook but the Fiat 2000 is coming along nicely with the suspension components fitted as well as the supports for the side armour plates.
Video of the rollers being tested https://www.facebook.com/replicafiat2000/videos/3346345205383292/
The gearbox is test-fitted too and the driver's position has been arranged but not finished. Lots of really great work going on.

 

45YGD1t.jpg

oPd5NKn.jpg



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vollketten


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Just an update for you guys 

The hull outer is mostly finished and she has been painted. The tracks are fitted to one side along with all of the drive components from engine, gearbox, and wheels in place. The turret fabrication is mostly finished and the production of this vehicle is coming into the final stages of fabrication.

The Italian team have been fantastic and are really working very quickly making excellent progress on this fantastic project and have had really good financial support from the donors both inside Italy and internationally.

Hopefully, soon we shall see the turret mounted and the left tracks fitted so we can see her move on tracks under her own power outside.

 

H5XAhZU.jpg

jgKPXfj.jpg

ErKfrMi.jpgHWPBZt3.jpg

 

If you aren't already doing so please follow the progress on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.fiat2000.it/



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vollketten


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Great news. The vehicle is finished-ish and painted. She runs and can move under her own power.

https://www.facebook.com/replicafiat2000/videos/4079792352038570/ 

The side skirts are still needed to be fitted but this is magnificent progress.

Please visit the group of FaceBook and lend your support to some good news out of Italy.

4ACqpFO.png

OMrRbHx.png



-- Edited by vollketten on Thursday 2nd of April 2020 04:45:12 PM

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PFJN


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Wow, that looks great

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lostiznaos


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Higly impressive work, Thanks for the pics!

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vollketten


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aSxkK1X.jpg?1

All seven custom made replica Fiat-Reveli M.1914 machine guns for the Fiat. Things are slow due to the virus but this is excellent progress considering. Top marks to the team.



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executioner


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@vollketten
the Fiat 2000 had one 65-17 M1913 cannone to the turret and six Fiat-Revelli M1914 machine guns to the sides

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Pzkpfw-e


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Looking forwards to seeing this at Tankfest some time. Get the French to bring their running Schneider & St Chammond over, the Museum's MkIV & A7V replicas & Weald's FTs all together.

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vollketten


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The Fiat 2000 replica is now complete and can move under its own power. 

The Italian magazine Armi e Tiro has an online write-up of it here https://www.armietiro.it/il-fiat-2000-e-tornato-13233?fbclid=IwAR3dw5GG5cTbqWWluQOcpqVhNJWqP6OV24-Pr75i0eAhigbuNcGb-92WzzU along with a montage of photos. 

A video of her moving for the first time under her own power can be viewed on the group's FaceBook page 'Progetto Costruzione Replica carro armato FIAT 2000' 

 



-- Edited by vollketten on Monday 16th of November 2020 02:59:42 PM

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11th Armoured


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Brilliant work!

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vollketten


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This will be my final post on the project to rebuild this magnificent vehicle. The team has done a fantastic job and it really shows.

Thank you to everyone for your support.

JF2KVX4.jpg

hmRZSmb.jpg

Fingers crossed one day we shall see her in the arena at somewhere like Tankfest with an FT and others showing all the tanks of WW1 together.

The team are now on the next project - a Fiat 3000. 



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PFJN


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Hi,
Thanks for sharing. It looks phenomenal/
Pat

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James H


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That's incredible.



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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
CharlieC


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This is an astonishing piece of work.

May I use your images on Landships II please? - the Fiat 2000 article needs an additional section to advertise this replica.

Regards,

Charlie



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Pat


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Thank you for keeping us updated on this amazing 1:1 build. Good luck with it! Pat



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elbavaro


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Great work and good luck for your next project

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vollketten


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The photos just need credited to the Fiat 2000 Reconstruction team but of course they can be used for non-commercial purposes. 



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Ned


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Amazing work...



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