In Box Review of Italeri 1/35th Scale
Italian ABM 41/42 with 47/32 AT gun
Kit no. 6455
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Available at BNA Model World in Australia for $46.50 Australian dollars. I paid $39.60 for my kit at my local hobby shop. Copyright of the kit is 2007.
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Available at BNA Model World in Australia for $46.50 Australian dollars. I paid $39.60 for my kit at my local hobby shop. Copyright of the kit is 2007.
HISTORY:
The model 42 Desert Vehicle was developed for the Italian Army based on the chassis and mechanics of the AB 41 armoured car. Over the course of the operations on the African Front, the need for a reconnaissance vehicle specially adapted to the desert conditions, were driving on sand required particular features (large size tires at low pressure, height from the ground, extensive autonomy) that were not present on the currently available vehicles.
The engineers eliminated the dual running direction typical of the AB 41 and the four-wheel drive. The vehicle was produced in two armament configurations: one with 20 mm cannon/machine gun and the other with 47/32 anti-tank cannon. Several dozen of these vehicles were produced; after the fall of the African Front, the remaining ABM's were redeployed in Italy ending their career in the police force in the 1950's.
The model 42 Desert Vehicle was developed for the Italian Army based on the chassis and mechanics of the AB 41 armoured car. Over the course of the operations on the African Front, the need for a reconnaissance vehicle specially adapted to the desert conditions, were driving on sand required particular features (large size tires at low pressure, height from the ground, extensive autonomy) that were not present on the currently available vehicles.
The engineers eliminated the dual running direction typical of the AB 41 and the four-wheel drive. The vehicle was produced in two armament configurations: one with 20 mm cannon/machine gun and the other with 47/32 anti-tank cannon. Several dozen of these vehicles were produced; after the fall of the African Front, the remaining ABM's were redeployed in Italy ending their career in the police force in the 1950's.
THE KIT:
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is unusual in that it has a hinged-lid attached to the tray.
The box art shows a ABM parked on a rock strewn street with some buildings in the background.
It is in a base of Italian sand with Italian dark brown wave pattern. It carries no markings. The license plate no. is RoEto-1206B on the front.
One side panel has one-paragraph histories of the car in 6 languages. Each marked with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks that language, including English.
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is unusual in that it has a hinged-lid attached to the tray.
The box art shows a ABM parked on a rock strewn street with some buildings in the background.
It is in a base of Italian sand with Italian dark brown wave pattern. It carries no markings. The license plate no. is RoEto-1206B on the front.
One side panel has one-paragraph histories of the car in 6 languages. Each marked with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks that language, including English.
The other side panel has 3 color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 6 light-tan trees in 3 sealed clear cello bags, a brass PE fret in a blister-pack with a turned aluminum bun barrel, 6 black vinyl tires of the desert sand type and 4 of the normal type.
The decal sheet is in a stapled shut clear cello bag with a sheet of clear plastic to use for the windshield.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8 1/2" x 12" page format.
Page 1 begins with the history of the ABM 41/42 in 6 languages, including English, over ATTENTION about the kit in 11 languages, including English again.
Page 2 and 3 are the parts trees illustrations.
Page 4 through 13 gives a total of 25 assembly steps.
Page 14 and 15 is the painting and marking instructions.
Page 14 has two 3-views of the car.
1. In a wave pattern of Italian Sand and Italian dark brown. The box art scheme (already described above).
It is with the Regio Esercito, 123a Compagnia Arditi Comionettisti, Rome, September 1943.
2. In overall Italian Sand with a few field drab spots. License no. is RoEto-791B on the front and rear.
It is with Regio Esercito, 113a Compagnia Arditi Camionettisti, Sicily, July 1943.
On page 15 is another 4-view.
It is overall Italian sand with a few field drab spots. License no. is RoEto-1181B on the front and back.
It is with Regio Esercito Raggruppamento Sahariano, Tunisia, early 1943.
Page 16 has IMPORTANT INFO CONCERNING THIS KIT in 20 languages, including English, over a mail-in service request coupon.
Light tan letter A tree holds: chassis parts, a pick etc. (9 parts)
This kit contains 6 light-tan trees in 3 sealed clear cello bags, a brass PE fret in a blister-pack with a turned aluminum bun barrel, 6 black vinyl tires of the desert sand type and 4 of the normal type.
The decal sheet is in a stapled shut clear cello bag with a sheet of clear plastic to use for the windshield.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8 1/2" x 12" page format.
Page 1 begins with the history of the ABM 41/42 in 6 languages, including English, over ATTENTION about the kit in 11 languages, including English again.
Page 2 and 3 are the parts trees illustrations.
Page 4 through 13 gives a total of 25 assembly steps.
Page 14 and 15 is the painting and marking instructions.
Page 14 has two 3-views of the car.
1. In a wave pattern of Italian Sand and Italian dark brown. The box art scheme (already described above).
It is with the Regio Esercito, 123a Compagnia Arditi Comionettisti, Rome, September 1943.
2. In overall Italian Sand with a few field drab spots. License no. is RoEto-791B on the front and rear.
It is with Regio Esercito, 113a Compagnia Arditi Camionettisti, Sicily, July 1943.
On page 15 is another 4-view.
It is overall Italian sand with a few field drab spots. License no. is RoEto-1181B on the front and back.
It is with Regio Esercito Raggruppamento Sahariano, Tunisia, early 1943.
Page 16 has IMPORTANT INFO CONCERNING THIS KIT in 20 languages, including English, over a mail-in service request coupon.
Light tan letter A tree holds: chassis parts, a pick etc. (9 parts)
There are 2 identical light tan letter B trees co-joined to letter G trees. They hold: wheel rims, jerry cans, shovel, tie rods etc. (74 parts per tree) 5 parts are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Light tan letter C tree holds: the floor, sides, hood, engine compartment lid, steering wheel, fire wall, windshield frame, muffler, machine gun and its mount etc. (56 parts) One part is excess.
light tan letter F tree holds the parts of the 47/32 cannon parts (30 parts)
Lettering jumps to the light tan letter H tree. It holds various body panels (14 parts)
The turned aluminum cannon barrel is next.
The PE fret holds jerry can retaining straps and desert sand channels used to unditch the car if it gets bogged down in sand.
The PE fret holds jerry can retaining straps and desert sand channels used to unditch the car if it gets bogged down in sand.
The 10 vinyl tires included in the kit.
There is a sheet of clear plastic to cut to size for the windshield.
The decal sheet completes the kit.
There is no driver figure included.
This is a very nicely detailed model.
This is a very nicely detailed model.
Highly recommended.