A Vespa To Covet

The AMCA Troupes Aeról Portées Mle. 56 is a Vespa mounting an M20 75mm recoilless rifle used by the French Airborne Forces in Algeria and Indochina. The M20 was a U.S. made light anti armor weapon which could be fired from the shoulder but still penetrate 100 mm of armor. The recoil is counteracted by venting propellant gasses out the rear of the weapon through a preforated cartridge, eliminating the need for a mechanical recoil system or heavy mounts. The weapon, ammo, and crew were dropped via parachute into action and the weapon could even be fired on the move.