This small tank represents one of the few domestic*
armoured vehicles available to the Spanish troops.*
It was built out of necessity since the Basque front,*
isolated by the Nationalists from the rest of Spain,*
received little of the material support coming out*
of the Soviet Union. This small tank had a mass of*
4.5 metric tons and mounted armour varying in*
thickness from 6-10 mm. With a crew of four, armament*
varied, probably being small automatic weapons which*
could be fired out of the four radiating ports on the*
turret which gave it 360 degrees of coverage. The*
engine was air cooled with armoured vents at the rear*
of the vehicle and was prone to mechanical breakdown.*
*
The debut of this tank in a military parade was not*
auspicious. As soon as they saw it, the people called*
it Tanque de Juguete (the Toy Tank).*
*
This tank was designated Trubia Modelo 1936 (or Trubia*
M 36), but was also known as Carro Ligero Euzkadi (Basque*
Light Tank). 20-50 vehicles were constructed, and many*
were captured when Bilbao fell.*
