Imagine a scooter that can carry a powerful weapon! That’s exactly what the Vespa 150 TAP was designed to do. This unusual vehicle was created for the French military to help their paratroopers during battles. Let’s dive into the fascinating story of this rocket launcher scooter and see how it worked.
The Vespa 150 TAP was a special version of the classic Vespa scooter. The name “TAP” stands for “Troupe Aéroportée,” which means “Air Troops Carrier” in French. This scooter was not just for getting around; it was built to carry a big gun called the M20 recoilless rifle. The French Ministry of Defense asked for this unique vehicle to give their soldiers more firepower while staying mobile.
The Vespa 150 TAP was designed to be dropped from airplanes along with French paratroopers. It was a small, two-person scooter that could reach speeds of up to 41 miles per hour (66 km/h) and travel 124 miles (200 km) on a full tank. This made it perfect for quick movements in tough terrains where regular tanks couldn’t go.
The scooter had a reinforced frame and a powerful 146cc engine. It carried two fuel cans and six rounds of ammunition for the M20 rifle. The M20 was a lightweight American weapon that could be easily carried and set up by soldiers. Although the gun was attached to the scooter, it wasn’t meant to be fired while riding. Instead, soldiers would remove it, set it up on a tripod, and fire at targets from a distance of up to 7,000 yards (6,401 meters).
Between 1956 and 1959, around 600 Vespa 150 TAPs were made in France. They came in green and desert camouflage to match the environments where they were used, like Asia and Africa. These scooters were perfect for quick, surprise attacks and were dropped into battle zones with paratroopers. One scooter would carry the gun, and another would carry the ammunition.
While the Vespa 150 TAP was an innovative idea, it didn’t last long in military use. The limited number of scooters produced and their short production run suggest that the French military soon moved on to other ideas. However, the Vespa 150 TAP remains a fascinating example of creative military engineering.
The Vespa 150 TAP is a reminder of how technology and creativity can come together in unexpected ways. It shows how even a simple scooter can be transformed into a powerful tool for soldiers. Although it wasn’t widely used, the Vespa 150 TAP is a unique piece of history that continues to capture the imagination of those interested in military technology.
Use materials like cardboard, paper, and glue to create a scale model of the Vespa 150 TAP. Pay attention to details such as the reinforced frame and the placement of the M20 recoilless rifle. This activity will help you understand the design and engineering behind this unique military invention.
Choose another unique military invention from history and prepare a short presentation for the class. Compare and contrast it with the Vespa 150 TAP, focusing on the purpose, design, and impact of each invention. This will enhance your research skills and deepen your understanding of military technology.
Imagine how the Vespa 150 TAP might be redesigned with today’s technology. Sketch your ideas and describe the features you would include to improve its functionality and effectiveness. This activity encourages creativity and application of modern engineering concepts.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a French paratrooper using the Vespa 150 TAP during a mission. Include details about the challenges and advantages of using this scooter in battle. This will help you explore historical context and develop narrative writing skills.
Participate in a class debate about the success and effectiveness of the Vespa 150 TAP. Consider its design, usage, and legacy in your arguments. This activity will develop your critical thinking and public speaking skills.
This video was made possible by Conflict of Nations, a free online PvP strategy game. Conflict of Nations lets you pick a real country and lead it to victory in global warfare. It’s fully cross-platform, so you can play on the same account on PC and mobile. Using a wide variety of units, including tanks, submarines, jet fighters, and soldiers, you can fight up to 128 other players in real time. Here at Simple History, we appreciate that these games take a long time to complete. When we aren’t playing, we’re working on strategies to implement over the coming days and weeks to turn the battle in our favor. Simple History viewers get a special gift of 13,000 gold and one month of premium subscription for free when you use the link. We’ll also be hosting a custom game for the first viewers that click the link in the description, with instructions on how to join at the end of the video, so be sure to stick around.
Now, let’s talk about the Vespa 150 TAP. The Vespa 150 TAP, which stands for Troupe Aéroportée or Air Troops Carrier, was an anti-tank scooter slightly modified from the body of a standard Vespa 150cc scooter. The 150 TAP was manufactured by the Vespa French licensee ACMA at the request of the French Ministry of Defense to create a small portable anti-tank system intended for use by French paratroopers. These military Vespas were designed for use in Indochina and the conflicts in Algeria.
The TAP was designed to be dropped in with French paratroopers to provide them with the firepower of a full-scale howitzer but with much higher mobility. The Vespa 150 itself was a small two-person scooter that began production in 1955. The TAP version had an M20 75mm recoilless rifle attached to the side of the scooter. Weighing in at 115 kg, the Vespa 150 TAP had a top speed of 41 miles per hour (66 km/h) and a fuel range of 124 miles (200 km). This made the TAP a maneuverable and quick weapon, highly suited to guerrilla tactics, airborne troops, or situations where tanks and artillery support could not be used due to poor road conditions or distance.
The Vespa 150 TAP was modified for combat use and included reinforced frames, lowered gear ratios, and a 146 cubic centimeter single-cylinder two-stroke engine. It was outfitted with two fuel cans and six rounds of ammunition for the M20, with shells stored behind the driver and under the legs of the passenger. The M20 recoilless rifle was an American design that came into service in 1945, originally intended to be carried by hand by a group of soldiers. The weapon itself was relatively light, weighing in at 114 pounds when attached to its tripod, making it much lighter than any other artillery piece at the time.
While the M20 was attached to the Vespa, it was not designed to be fired from the vehicle. Instead, the weapon was meant to be removed from the Vespa, placed on a tripod, and fired by a team of two men. Although theoretically possible to fire from the scooter while moving, the M20’s 75mm round could penetrate the armor of most tanks and easily destroy earthworks and pillboxes with a direct hit, engaging enemies at ranges of 7,000 yards (6,401 meters).
The TAP was produced over a period of three years from 1956 to 1959, with roughly 600 Vespa 150 TAPs manufactured in France. The vehicle was produced in both green camouflage and desert camouflage patterns to suit French conflicts in Asia and Africa throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s, where the French faced rebel insurgencies. They were used to combat the enemy’s light, fast-moving counter-guerrilla tactics, making it a perfect vehicle for providing highly portable yet hard-hitting artillery. Air crews dropped the Vespas in hot zones two at a time, accompanied by a pair of paratroopers—one scooter carried the gun while the other carried the rounds.
Little is known about how popular the TAP was with French paratroopers or how well it performed as a military artillery platform. However, based on the low production numbers and the brief production run, it is safe to say that the French military quickly moved on from the idea of scooter-portable artillery.
Conflict of Nations is a free-to-play real-time strategy game unlike any other. We’ve set up a custom game for our viewers. Click the link in the description, create an account, and enter the game code “Simple History” and password “Simple History” to join today.
Rocket – A missile or vehicle that is propelled by the rapid expulsion of gases from a rocket engine, often used in warfare or space exploration. – During World War II, rockets were used as a new form of artillery to strike targets from a distance.
Launcher – A device or structure that is used to launch missiles, rockets, or other projectiles. – The military developed a new launcher to improve the accuracy and range of their missile systems.
Scooter – A small, lightweight vehicle with two wheels, typically used for personal transportation. – In the 1950s, the Vespa scooter became popular in Europe as a convenient mode of transportation.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war. – The military played a crucial role in defending the nation during times of conflict.
Vespa – A brand of scooter that became iconic in the mid-20th century, known for its stylish design and practicality. – The Vespa was originally designed to provide affordable transportation for people in post-war Italy.
Paratroopers – Soldiers trained to parachute from aircraft into combat or other military operations. – Paratroopers were deployed behind enemy lines to secure strategic positions during the invasion.
Weapon – An instrument or device designed to inflict harm or damage, often used in warfare. – The development of new weapons during the 20th century changed the nature of warfare significantly.
Ammunition – Projectiles, such as bullets or shells, that are fired from weapons. – Soldiers had to ensure they had enough ammunition before heading into battle.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and warfare. – Advances in technology have greatly influenced the strategies and outcomes of modern warfare.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history helps us learn from past conflicts and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
