In Box Review of Italeri 1/35th Scale
Camionetta AS 42 Sahariana Italian Armored Car
Kit no. 6452
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2006
I paid $47.99 for my kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Out of production.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2006
I paid $47.99 for my kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Out of production.
HISTORY:
This somewhat angular and jagged vehicle was developed out of the need to have a reliable, desert-ready reconnaissance vehicle at its disposal. The "AB 41" from the same manufacturer served as the basis for this.
The official name for this vehicle was "Camionetta 42 'Sahariana'". However, it is/was also known under the names "Camionetta 'Sahariana' AS 42" and "Camionetta SPA 43 'Sahariana'". In contrast to other vehicles from this vehicle family, this one no longer had all-wheel drive and no second driving seat (rear). A long range, high ground clearance and large wheels for tires with low air pressure distinguished this vehicle for desert use.
The quite different armament of the vehicles could consist of either an 8 mm Breda Mod. 37 MG (24 round magazine), a Solothurn S18/1000 semi-automatic 20mm anti-tank gun with 10 rounds magazine, a Breda Mod. 35 20mm anti-aircraft gun (12 rounds magazine) or a 4.7 cm Mod. 37 anti-tank gun or various combinations of these weapons.
The letters "AS" in the name was the Italian abbreviation for "Africa Settentrionale", which translates roughly as "North Africa" / "North African". All vehicles, units and equipment specifically deployed in North Africa were given this addition to indicate the special characteristics of the equipment or units in this theater of war.
The term "Camionetta" loosely translates as "jeep" or "off-road vehicle" and was also given to light to medium trucks, tractors and many other vehicles. The abbreviation "SPA" in the name refers to the respective manufacturer (such as FIAT, Isotta-Fraschini, Macchi, etc.). The numbering refers to the respective model from a vehicle group that is identical in terms of basic structure.
Immediately after the appearance of the first vehicles of this series, the "Raggruppamento Sahariano AS" was set up in November 1942. The "Raggruppamento" consisted of several battalions and was larger (at least on paper) than a comparable German regiment or British brigade. Rather atypical in the order of magnitude for an independent unit, the impression of a larger unit than actually existed was probably to be conveyed here.
After the end of the 2nd World War, the last seven vehicles still existing at that time were taken over by the Italian police and used until 1954.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Maximum speed: approx. 80 km/h
Range: approx. 800 km
Tire size: Normally 9.25 x 24 (11.25 x 24 tires were also used in Libya)
No armor
This somewhat angular and jagged vehicle was developed out of the need to have a reliable, desert-ready reconnaissance vehicle at its disposal. The "AB 41" from the same manufacturer served as the basis for this.
The official name for this vehicle was "Camionetta 42 'Sahariana'". However, it is/was also known under the names "Camionetta 'Sahariana' AS 42" and "Camionetta SPA 43 'Sahariana'". In contrast to other vehicles from this vehicle family, this one no longer had all-wheel drive and no second driving seat (rear). A long range, high ground clearance and large wheels for tires with low air pressure distinguished this vehicle for desert use.
The quite different armament of the vehicles could consist of either an 8 mm Breda Mod. 37 MG (24 round magazine), a Solothurn S18/1000 semi-automatic 20mm anti-tank gun with 10 rounds magazine, a Breda Mod. 35 20mm anti-aircraft gun (12 rounds magazine) or a 4.7 cm Mod. 37 anti-tank gun or various combinations of these weapons.
The letters "AS" in the name was the Italian abbreviation for "Africa Settentrionale", which translates roughly as "North Africa" / "North African". All vehicles, units and equipment specifically deployed in North Africa were given this addition to indicate the special characteristics of the equipment or units in this theater of war.
The term "Camionetta" loosely translates as "jeep" or "off-road vehicle" and was also given to light to medium trucks, tractors and many other vehicles. The abbreviation "SPA" in the name refers to the respective manufacturer (such as FIAT, Isotta-Fraschini, Macchi, etc.). The numbering refers to the respective model from a vehicle group that is identical in terms of basic structure.
Immediately after the appearance of the first vehicles of this series, the "Raggruppamento Sahariano AS" was set up in November 1942. The "Raggruppamento" consisted of several battalions and was larger (at least on paper) than a comparable German regiment or British brigade. Rather atypical in the order of magnitude for an independent unit, the impression of a larger unit than actually existed was probably to be conveyed here.
After the end of the 2nd World War, the last seven vehicles still existing at that time were taken over by the Italian police and used until 1954.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Maximum speed: approx. 80 km/h
Range: approx. 800 km
Tire size: Normally 9.25 x 24 (11.25 x 24 tires were also used in Libya)
No armor
THE KIT:
Italeri is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Italy. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a tray and lid type box that has the lid hinged to the tray.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a AS 42 that is parked in the desert near a tree. Two crewmen are standing beside it. Both wear tan uniforms and cloth field caps with bills and their trousers bloused into black jack-boots.
The man on the left has his right leg raised and his foot resting on the hub of the rear wheel of the car. The other man, on the right, is facing the first man, talking to him. He has his right hand resting on the side of the car.
The car is overall tan, with a white license plate on its front that has black serial no. RE 793 on it.
One side panel of the lid of the box says the kit has highly detailed resin and photo etched parts. The model makes up to be 17.5cm long (almost 7”).
This is followed by one-paragraph histories of the car in 6 languages, including English, that are each labeled with a color illustration of the flags of the countries that speak the language.
Italeri is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Italy. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a tray and lid type box that has the lid hinged to the tray.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a AS 42 that is parked in the desert near a tree. Two crewmen are standing beside it. Both wear tan uniforms and cloth field caps with bills and their trousers bloused into black jack-boots.
The man on the left has his right leg raised and his foot resting on the hub of the rear wheel of the car. The other man, on the right, is facing the first man, talking to him. He has his right hand resting on the side of the car.
The car is overall tan, with a white license plate on its front that has black serial no. RE 793 on it.
One side panel of the lid of the box says the kit has highly detailed resin and photo etched parts. The model makes up to be 17.5cm long (almost 7”).
This is followed by one-paragraph histories of the car in 6 languages, including English, that are each labeled with a color illustration of the flags of the countries that speak the language.
The other side-panel of the lid of the box repeats the model’s length. Followed by a color photo of the interior and a side view of the model made up and a color photo of the engine.
One side panel of the hinged tray gives Italari's web address, followed by 4 color photos of the model made up. One end of the tray has two color box-arts of two other armor kits that Italeri manufactures: Kit no. 6442, an Autoblinda AB 41 and Kit no. 6214, a Semovente 75/18 M70-41.
The other end of the hinged tray shows 2 more color box arts of armor kits that Italeir manufactures: Kit no, 6445, a Sd.Kfz. 232 6. Rad and kit no. 6443, a Sd.Kfz. 10 Demag D 7.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 6 tan plastic parts trees in 5 sealed clear cello bags, one tree is in a clear blister pack, tan resin parts in a clear blister pack, 6 black rubber tires in a cello bag, the decal sheet, a brass PE fret in in a clear blister pack.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
Page 1 gives the history of the car in 6 languages, including English. Over ATTENTION about the kit in 11 languages, including English.
Page 2 and 3 are the parts-trees illustrations. A few parts are shown shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 3 through to page 14 give a grand total of 25 assembly steps. The 25th step is for assembly and painting of the figures.
The bottom of page 14 gives decal application instructions in 9 languages, including English.
Page 15 is a painting and marking guide. It shows two 3-view profiles of the car.
Both are overall flat sand-color.
The 1st one carries a white license plate on its nose and left rear fender, with black serial no. RE 792 B on them,
It was with Raggruppamento Sahariano, Tunisia, late 1943.
The second one also carries white license plates in the same locations as the 1st car, with black serial no. RE 797 B on them.
It was with the same group as the 1st car.
Page 16 gives IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS KIT. In multiple languages, including English. Over a customer-service coupon.
A color reference manual that is staple-bound of 24 pages in 6” x 8” page format.
The color reference manual’s cover shows the box art. Contents are: A brief history, assembly instructions and camouflage.
There are 17 black and white wartime photos of the car in the manual, 13 color walk-around type photos of the car being assembled and a repeat of the two 3-view profiles already shown in the instructions, but now in full color.
This kit holds 6 tan plastic parts trees in 5 sealed clear cello bags, one tree is in a clear blister pack, tan resin parts in a clear blister pack, 6 black rubber tires in a cello bag, the decal sheet, a brass PE fret in in a clear blister pack.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
Page 1 gives the history of the car in 6 languages, including English. Over ATTENTION about the kit in 11 languages, including English.
Page 2 and 3 are the parts-trees illustrations. A few parts are shown shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 3 through to page 14 give a grand total of 25 assembly steps. The 25th step is for assembly and painting of the figures.
The bottom of page 14 gives decal application instructions in 9 languages, including English.
Page 15 is a painting and marking guide. It shows two 3-view profiles of the car.
Both are overall flat sand-color.
The 1st one carries a white license plate on its nose and left rear fender, with black serial no. RE 792 B on them,
It was with Raggruppamento Sahariano, Tunisia, late 1943.
The second one also carries white license plates in the same locations as the 1st car, with black serial no. RE 797 B on them.
It was with the same group as the 1st car.
Page 16 gives IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS KIT. In multiple languages, including English. Over a customer-service coupon.
A color reference manual that is staple-bound of 24 pages in 6” x 8” page format.
The color reference manual’s cover shows the box art. Contents are: A brief history, assembly instructions and camouflage.
There are 17 black and white wartime photos of the car in the manual, 13 color walk-around type photos of the car being assembled and a repeat of the two 3-view profiles already shown in the instructions, but now in full color.
I have added two M.V. Products brand headlight lenses to the kit and color illustrations of Italian flags.
Tan letter A parts tree holds the car’s frame etc. (10 parts)
There are two identical tan letter B trees, that are co-joined to two tan letter G trees,
The B trees hold: the wheels, transmission, a jerry can etc. (29 parts ea.) 6 parts are excess.
There are two identical tan letter G trees, that are co-joined to the two tan identical letter B trees. They each hold jerry cans, a shovel etc. (54 parts).
The B trees hold: the wheels, transmission, a jerry can etc. (29 parts ea.) 6 parts are excess.
There are two identical tan letter G trees, that are co-joined to the two tan identical letter B trees. They each hold jerry cans, a shovel etc. (54 parts).
Tan letter C tree holds: the floor, hood, windshield frame, trunk lid, sides etc. (49 parts)
Tan letter D tree holds the main gun and it’s cradle parts etc. (33 parts)
Letter E is the black rubber tires (5 parts)
There is no letter F tree.
There is no letter F tree.
Tan letter H tree holds: dash, tail pipe etc. (10 parts)
Lettering jumps to the letter R, tan resin parts. There are two clear zip-locked bags, inside a clear blister bubble that is attached to a card.
The first bag holds: the two figures (divided into separate heads, full-bodies, arms and a alternate arm) (7 parts)
The second zip-locked bag holds: 2 engine parts and the grill-radiator part (4 parts)
Letter PH is the brass PE fret, also inside a clear blister bubble that is attached to a card. It holds sand channel parts and their supports (15 parts)
There is supposed to be a thin sheet of clear plastic to use for the windshield. It is missing in my kit, but it can easily be cut out of the blister holding the PE fret.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents with license plates, instruments, and a tricolor flag in the Italian colors.
The detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.