New 3D Styles for the Progetto M35 & AMX 50 B!

The Italian Elite

Helmets decorated with black feathers, which can be seen on the turret rear, are worn by the Bersaglieri — soldiers of the Italian Army's elite unit.

They were originally created by General Alessandro La Marmora in 1836 for the Army of the Kingdom of Sardinia. The Bersaglieri were initially trained as sharpshooters and tough soldiers and were easily recognizable for their distinctive, wide-brimmed hats decorated with black capercaillie feathers. One version has the feathers protecting the right eye of sharpshooters from sunlight. Wearing the feathers became a tradition over time.

Weapon of Two World Wars

On the right of the tank's fenders are boxes of Carcano Moschetto M38 rifles.

The rifle's designer, Salvatore Carcano, used his experience with the best foreign rifle models of the time — the Mauser M1889 and Mannlicher M.90. The new rifle was tested by elite Bersaglieri and the Alpini units of the Italian Army. Experienced shooters liked the rifle so much they accepted it for service; it was used by the Italian army and during the First and Second World War.

Africa as a Symbol of Italian Valor

Another feature of the style is African motifs. Until 1941, the administrative-territorial entity of Italian East Africa existed on the world map. The Italians intended to stay a long time, but World War II derailed their plans.

Italian troops had unflattering fame in the Second World War. One exception, however, was the Ariete Armoured Division: Many of its soldiers, for instance, showed heroism against the British in the Second Battle of El Alamein. A desperate attack of a dozen L13/40 tanks, under the command of Luigi Pascucci, into the heart of the advancing 8th British Armored Brigade achieved the impossible: It forced the British to retreat.

The difference in the number and quality of vehicles ultimately took its toll. All the attackers were killed and, in subsequent battles, the division was surrounded and all but destroyed. Several vehicles and a squad of the Bersaglieri managed to escape encirclement.

The newly formed Ariete II Division saved the Italian king and the government from being captured by the surrounding Germans, defending Rome from attacks of the 3rd German Panzergrenadier Division.

Dangerous Trophy

In World of Tanks, the Progetto M35 mod. 46 is a true predator! Its accurate gun and high mobility allow it to quickly track down and destroy its prey. The third component of the style emphasizes these skills.

A skull of an African buffalo is a trophy on the tank's hull. Of Africa's so-called Big Five game, the African (or Cape) buffalo is the most dangerous. The animal usually attacks first without waiting for a shot; even when wounded, it always attacks and many a hunter has fallen while pursuing one. 

Hunter's Choice

For a hunt to be successful, a powerful and reliable weapon is needed, and it can be found behind the turret.

The lever-action carbine Davide Pedersoli 1886, for which the .45-70 Government cartridge is used, was one of the most powerful rifle calibers at the time when the weapon was designed. The lever-action mechanism ensured a high rate of fire for the carbine, which immediately calls to mind the Progetto M35 mod. 46's gun with its autoreloader mechanism! Equipped with such a gun, the Progetto M35 mod. 46 can hunt even a Maus, the main beast of the World of Tanks.

For the Spirits of Random Battles

Gaining favour with the spirits is a must for a successful hunt. Therefore, several African masks are attached to the turret. Since ancient times, masks were used in Africa for ritual dances before a hunt, before a battle, or in other ceremonies. Charged with positive energy, masks can bring good luck.

If they're attached to the vehicle, perhaps they'll bring favor with the Spirits of Random Battles!

Style for "Hellish Disco in the Jungles"

The name of the Javan Rhino style was selected intentionally. The Javan Rhino is on the verge of extinction, and therefore, rarely seen in the wild. The same is true of the vehicle that uses the style. Of the six French heavy tank prototypes, only one (the AMX-50 Surbaisse) remains, and it can be found in the Musée Général Estienne (Museum of Armored Vehicles) in the French city of Saumur.

The "Javan Rhino" style was inspired by the first Indochina War, during which French troops had to fight in the impenetrable jungle. Hellish heat, insects, poisonous reptiles, and other environmental factors made tanks a home and a fortress. If the AMX 50 B had been sent for testing in the jungle, it would have probably looked this way.

U.S. soldiers, who replaced the French in Vietnam, referred to the warfare conditions as a "hellish disco in the jungle."

Useful Camo

A camouflage net is stretched above the top of the AMX 50 B's turret providing concealment, protection from the scorching sun, and possibly prevent an unexpected grenade tossed into an open hatch. Such solutions are often used for modern tanks, such as camouflage by the Saab Barracuda company for the U.S. Army.

Gift from Uncle Sam

During the first Indochina War, the French were actively supported by the British and Americans. The latter provided the M20 recoilless rifle, adopted for service in 1945. The Americans successfully used it in battle against the Japanese.

In the years that followed, the French also put it to good use. The M20 recoilless rifle was mounted on any vehicle, even motorcycles, and in the mountainous and hilly terrain it proved to be an excellent choice to destroy enemy firing points.

The Chinese analogies of the M20 (Type 52 and Type 56) were sold worldwide and are still popular in Third World countries.

Useful Trophies

Attentive players may notice German entrenching tools mounted on the vehicle. After World War II, German vehicles and SPGs were used by the French Army for their intended purpose.

We Checked Ourselves

A ladder on the vehicle is completely historical. Such ladders are in photographs of German heavy tanks during World War II.

The Style's designers, who studied the real AMX 50, checked and verified that without a ladder, climbing such a vehicle is a challenge.