An Italian tankette used during World War II has arrived at its new home – The Australian War Memorial (AWM).

It is thought the Carro Veloce L.3/33 was captured in North Africa between 1940 and 1941 by British and Commonwealth troops, where it would have been used for reconnaissance work and towing cargo.

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Developed in 1933, the Italian army used the tankette during campaigns in Ethiopia, Spain, North and East Africa, Albania and Greece prior to and during the early parts of World War II.

Senior curator at the AWM Shane Casey said about 2000 of the machines were made, although artefacts from the Italian campaign were scarce in the memorial’s collection.

The tank will be only display for at least two years in Canberra. Photo: ABC

“We don’t have terribly much from the Italian Army even though the Australian Army fought against them quite heavily in the African campaigns,” he said.

“We’re very excited to get this.”

After its capture, the tankette was taken to England where it was examined before being sent to Canada in 1959.

Mr Casey said it would be on display at the War Memorial for about two years.

“The Canadians are loaning it to us in view of the Australian Army’s close association with the vehicle,” he said.

The two-man tankette features a Fiat four-cylinder, 2.7-litre petrol engine and weighs about three tonnes, with its small size leaving it well suited to reconnaissance work.

“It doesn’t have a turret like a conventional tank,” Mr Casey said.

“It’s very, very low, about 4.5 feet high.

“According to the British when they did their investigation of it during the war it gave a very rough ride.”

Mr Casey said the driver would sit on the right hand side and the gunner on the left.

“It was mounted with two machine guns,” he said.

The tankette was moved into position at the War Memorial’s Anzac Hall on Tuesday morning.

-ABC