Nahuel D.L.43

Medium tank (1943)
Argentina - 12 built

Argentine in World War Two

Until March 1944 Argentina was neutral, although with a marked sympathy for Germany. This was partly due to a large German immigrant community and a naval rivalry with Great Britain in the southern Atlantic area and for dominance of the east-west Atlantic commercial roads. This neutrality was maintained despite pressures from the American government. However, with the internal and external turn of events (the "revolution of 43"), Argentina severed its diplomatic relationships with Germany on January, 26, and formally declared war on March, 27. The gap was partly used to prepare for a possible mobilization, which never took place. However, before that, 4,000 Argentinians served with all three British armed services, at least since 1941.

A design based on the M4 Sherman

The Nahuel was designed in 1942 by LT. Colonel Alfredo Baisi. He took the standard vertical volute springs, roadwheels, return rollers, drive sprockets and idlers, in the same arrangement, as well as the tracks with rubber shoes, from the American M3/M4 chassis. But it was not based on its chassis, contrary to popular belief, but a true local design, although influenced by the M4. The armored hull was made of welded plates, 80 mm (3.15 in) at the thickest on the front glacis, which was also well sloped. The sides were not flat, but also slightly sloped. The choice of the gun, the standard Argentinian Krupp model 1909 field gun, was housed in a compact, bell-shaped fully cast turret. The mantlet was semi-internal.

However, this weapon lacked velocity in its antitank-role, probably being much less efficient than the standard early M4 gun, but more fit for infantry support. The secondary armament choice was also based on existing ordnance, including a coaxial Allan 7.62 mm (0.3 in) machine-gun, and three light Madsen machine-guns fit into the glacis plate. One was manned by the co-driver, apparently placed on an internal ball bearing and fired via a wire, while the two others were mounted in tandem at the center of the glacis, apparently fixed. Both the driver and co-driver had hatches opening to the front. The commander had a single two-piece hatch, but no cupola, and an rotatable searchlight. The powerplant was a locally-manufactured Lorraine-Dietrich water-cooled gasoline engine with a W12 configuration (two V12s mated on a single crankshaft).

Operational life

The production of the D.L.43 (named after the year of production) took place at the Arsenal Esteban de Luca in Buenos Aires, after a 1942 mock-up was approved. Only 12 were manufactured before the production was stopped. This decision based on the large availability of British-origin M4 Shermans stockpiled at the end of 1945, which could be obtained at very low prices. The tanks were part of a single operational unit. The Nahuel meant "tiger" in the aboriginal Mapudungun language.

Links about the Nahuel

The Nahuel on Wikipedia
Nahuel DL43
The Nahuel D.L.43 with its operational markings in 1944.

Nahuel DL 43 tank
Nahuel parading in Buenos Aires - Credits: "Archivo General de la Nacion"

Another view of an operational model, showing its fastened tools.


Nahuel D.L.43 specifications
Dimensions 6.22 x 2.33 x 2.95 m (20.7 x 7.8 x 9.8 ft)
Total weight, battle ready 35 tons (77,160 lbs)
Crew 5 (commander, driver, co-driver/machine-gunner, gunner, loader)
Propulsion FMA-Lorraine-Dietrich 12 Eb, W12, WC, 500 hp, 14.3 hp/tonne
Maximum speed 40 km/h (25 mph)
Suspension Vertical Volute Springs (VVSS)
Range on road 250 km (155 mi)
Armament Main: 3 in (76.2 mm) Krupp M1909
Secondary: 1 x 7.62 mm (0.3 in) Allan machine gun
3 x Madsen 7.62 mm (0.3 in) light machine-guns
Armor Maximum glacis front 80 mm (3.3 in)
Total production 12

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