Kit, Italeri 6452, Camoinetta AS 42 Sahariana

MRC/ ITALERI


Product Specifications.

6452, Camoinetta AS 42 Sahariana. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 257 styrene parts, 12 etched brass parts, 10 resin parts, five vinyl tires, one piece of clear acetate, two decal/markings schemes, one 24-page reference booklet and 16 pages of instructions in 25 steps.


Introduction.

When first I laid eyes upon a photograph of this vehicle in a 1960s-era modeling magazine (waaaaay back!), I thought it looked rather “cool”. Since then I had always hoped for a kit in 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene; and, so I thought, who better than Italeri to do it? I had to wait over 40 years, but the kit has finally arrived and it has indeed come from Italeri.


Was it worth it? I think so…


Wheels.

The tires are made of a rubber-like material and all of them have nice tread details, as well as the tire’s size on the side-wall. Each also has a mold seam in the center of the tread and the remains of an attachment pip from the mold. These will be quite difficult for the modeler to remove. There is also the issue of whether or not these tires will have a chemical reaction with the styrene hub rims as is sometimes the case with the material Italeri uses. The wheel rims themselves are nicely-detailed and include separate hub caps with the “SPA” logo; an inner part has brake details and drive shaft connection points.


Suspension System.

The chassis frame and all the suspension parts are direct from the previously-released AB41 armored car kit. It is fairly intricate featuring the belly plate, side girders (with coil springs molded in place), drive shafts, suspension components and an engine. The engine is unique in that it is based on three main resin parts, detailed with several styrene bits.


Body.

The “boat-like” body consists of a main floor panel, a large and small side panel for each flank, separate rear fenders for each side, engine deck, rear-end, and front end, complete with well for the spare tire. An internal bulkhead/engine firewall panel is placed forward of the rear wheel wells. Separate detail parts are fitted to the exterior. These include covered or un-covered head-lamps, a horn, tow hooks and loops, side-view mirrors, license plate holder, various tools (shovels, pick and pry-bar), folded machine-gun tripod, various small steps (also in etched brass) and a two-part exhaust muffler/pipe arrangement.


A pair of etched brass sand channels are provided, which are attached with fine styrene handles. Perhaps the main visual attraction of this vehicle is its customized jerry can racks; two rows of five cans each are attached to either side of the body panels. These are basically well-detailed with separate handles and pour-spout caps. Each group of five cans is molded together with the bottom of the rack; after the above mentioned detail parts are added, additional etched brass framing completes them. Additionally, a pair of cans is mounted on each front fender; these consist of four parts each and include embossed lettering on one side and proper seam detail when assembled. They are then fitted into fine etched brass racks. Some other external details include the rolled canvas vehicle tarp as well as alternate styles of wind-shield (one covered with canvas featuring a small opening for vision, the other completely open). In either case, the modeler is supplied with clear sheet and a paper template in the instructions showing the size of the glass panels. The final main item is the stowed spare tire, complete with cover.


Interior.

Up forward there is a steering column and wheel, separate driver’s foot and hand controls as well as a two-part seat. The instrument panel and another detail part mounts on one of the “U”-shaped chassis frame supports; the panel has a decal for the dial faces. Another pair of seats is mounted, one each on each side, on the inner body wall, towards the rear. They can also be alternatively depicted as stowed away.


A very nice engine is provided, based on three resin parts, to which a number of styrene parts are added. Although basic, this will serve as a basis for the super-detailer to have at it. The engine deck is a single part that is scored on the inside. The modeler is instructed to cut it apart and clean it up if displaying the engine. Another option is to attach the deck parts as given and use the engine in Italeri’s AB41 armored car kit, which is designed with separate engine deck doors.


Weapons.

The car was fitted with a variety of Italian weapons, as well as German and captured ordnance. In the case of this particular issue, there is a single Breda Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/65 modello 35 mounted in the center of the platform. This is broken down into 32 parts and when assembled will look the part quite well; Italeri have paid some attention to the smaller details, to include the proper 12-rounds on the ammunition clip “plate”. The gun will elevate and traverse and there is one ammunition can for use in the interior. The secondary weapon is a Breda 8mm modello 37 machine gun, which can be mounted in a couple of positions. It features separate ammo feed plate, separate grips and multi-part mount; it can elevate and traverse.


Figures.

In an unusual move for them, Italeri has included two resin figures of Italian soldiers to crew the vehicle. They are in casual poses with one man poised to board the car, and the other pointing something out to his companion. They are uniformed in the typical “Bustina” cap with visor, and “Sahariana” tunic with rolled-up sleeves. The standing man carries binoculars and wears riding trousers and high boots; the climbing man wears baggy trousers and low boots in paratrooper style. They are crisply-cast with fine details, to include insignia. The standing figure is a bit “wasp-waisted” and should probably wear a side-arm; his binoculars are especially well-detailed. The climbing figure is wearing a dagger that is “displaced” by his motion, adding a bit of character.


Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Molding is typical for Italeri, which means that it is mostly very good. The usual problems with this manufacturer are present here, such as blemishes on various parts and the occasional hard-to-remove ejector pin mark. Some parts that require butt-joins are compromised because they are not “square” especially at their edges; this is particularly noticeable on the chassis frame and some body panels. Sanding and filling will be needed at the front end of the body, where the two side panels meet the upper front panel. So, the modeler is cautioned to be careful when cleaning and test-fitting the parts. Overall, the kit is well-engineered for hassle-free assembly, but the modeler should proceed with caution bearing in mind my above comments.


Accuracy and Details.

The model seems to be fairly accurate overall, according to limited references. I do not have access to any scale plans of this vehicle, but compared to photos, everything seems to be OK. There are a few detail issues that will need to be addressed, such as:

• Lack of any internal stowage items, particularly extra ammunition boxes.
• The Breda 8mm machine-gun seems to have proportion and detail problems according to reference photos.
• The sand channels should have a thin tube or bar along their edges, which the modeler can add with styrene or brass stock according to photos.
• It would have been nice if the uncovered head-lamps had clear parts for their lenses.


Instructions.

These are typical for Italeri consisting of clear steps rendered in easily-understood line drawings. Colors are keyed to Testors paints. In a departure, the kit also includes a small reference booklet that gives a brief history, accompanied by 17 archival photos. Color photos show modeling tips and the completed and painted kit; the final two pages show the two markings schemes included in the kit as three-view full-color drawings.


Decals and Markings Information.

The small water-slide decal sheet is very well-printed and provides registration plate markings for two vehicles, as well as a flag decal for the engine deck. In addition, there is a design for the instrument panel and another for what I suppose is a manufacturer’s plate; the latter is numbered “2”, but is not called-out as such in the placement instructions, although it’s shown in place on the port-side forward fender-mounted jerry can rack. The two vehicles for which markings are supplied are:

• Ro.Eto.792 B, Raggruppamento Sahariano, Tunisia, late 1943.
• Ro.Eto.797 B, Raggruppamento Sahariano, Tunisia, late 1943.

The markings appear to be accurate, according to photos seen in my admittedly rather limited references. FYI, according to references the vehicle color, “Italian Sand” (or, “kaki sahariano”) is roughly equivalent to FS20260. Note also that “late 1943” for any Italian unit in Tunisia is incorrect, as the Axis forces surrendered in that theater in May of 1943, or in the first half of the year.


Conclusion.

While this kit has some issues, it is basically sound and apparently quite accurate. It has a unique look and will certainly be a conversation-starter when viewed by fellow modelers. The extras such as the engine and figures, as well as the included reference booklet make this product a very good value for money spent, which is something that is important to quite a few folks nowadays. An upcoming release from Italeri will mount the 47mm Cannone da 47/32 M35 anti-tank gun, so stay tuned!


Highly recommended.


Frank V. “Curly Stooge” De Sisto


References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:

1. “Italian Armored Vehicles of World War Two”, Squadron 6089, by N. Pignato, et.al.
2. “Axis Forces in North Africa 1940-43”, Concord 6521, by C. Antonucci.
3. “AS 42 Sahariana, Photographic Reference Manual”, Italeri, author unknown.
4. “Anti-Aircraft Guns”, WW2 Fact Files, by P. Chamberlain and T. Gander.
5. “The Italian Army 1940-45 (2), Africa 1940-43”, Osprey Men-at-Arms 349, by P. Jowett & S. Andrew.
6. “Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, 7th Edition”, Krause Publications, by I. Hogg & J. Weeks.


Model Rectifier Corp. is the North American distributor of Italeri kits. Available from retail and mail order shops.


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