page_title: Lanciafiamme Modello 35
section_title: Model 35
hierarchical_section_title: Lanciafiamme Modello 35 / Components / Model 35
caption_attribution_description: English: Italian wwII era flamethrower
context_page_description: The Lanciafiamme Spalleggiato Modello 35, also known as Model 35, was a flamethrower issued to the Royal Italian Army in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. In 1940 it was replaced by the Lanciafiamme Spalleggiato Modello 40, which uses a different ignition system.
context_section_description: The  Model 35 had three major elements: the tank, the lance and the ignition system.
  The tank was carried via two transport belts and padded back. It was composed of two cylinders. Each was divided internally into two parts by a metal diaphragm. The two upper sections were linked together and could hold 6 litres of nitrogen at 20 atmospheres, which acted as a propellant. The lower halves were also connected and contained 12 litres of fuel, a mixture composed of 9 parts diesel oil and 1 part gasoline. Both substances were loaded from special openings on the upper end of the cylinders, where a manual valve conveyed the liquid nitrogen in the tank to pressurize them at the moment of use. The filler pipe coupling of the lance was located in the lower part of the tank, beside the right cylinder.
  The lance has a control lever of lightweight alloy that connects to the tank through a hose. At the muzzle of the lance, a large flange ("cartoccia") has a double ignition system. The main system was initially made of two sharpening sheets of steel, with flint and rollers to create sparks from friction, actuated by the control lever. It was later replaced by an electrical system: a square box, placed posterior to the cylinders housed an 18 volt battery with a dynamo for manual recharging. Two electric cables run up the lance to the flange, each serving as a spark plug similar to that of a car. The spark ignited the jet of gas that poured from the lance. A secondary system consists of the "bengalotto," a slow-burning pyrotechnic device that is manually ignited and mounted on the weapons sight, burning for 2 minutes. On the passage of the flammable liquid, operated by the lever on the lance, it launched a dart of up to 20 meters of range, which produced a heat zone 35 meters wide and 15 deep. The "bengalotto," however, though simple and reliable, was unfortunately prone to revealing the user's position to enemy forces.
  The weapon was carried by two soldiers, flammieri, protected by fireproof vests. The system, due to its weight and the overall dimensions of the fireproof suit, could be carried only for short distances. It was normally transported on trucks or on special donkey saddle. The flammable liquid reserves allowed about 20 blasts. Recharging the weapon could take 20 minutes or more.
caption: A  Model 40, distinguishable from its predecessor by the cylindrical turbine container.
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