Review Bronco Italian Lgt Civilian Car Open Top w/Lady & Dog
Jan 28, 2014 7:21:59 GMT -5
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Post by Smudge on Jan 28, 2014 7:21:59 GMT -5
Italian Light Civilian Car (Open Top) w/Lady & Dog
Review type: in box review
Reviewed by: Smudge
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Bronco Models
Model Number: CB35165
Model kindly supplied by Bronco for this review.
Introduction
The Fiat 500 or ‘Topolino’ (literally Little Mouse) was launched in 1937 and produced until 1955. Three models were produced with only minor mechanical and cosmetic differences; Model A ran from 1937-1948, Model B 1948-1949 and Model C from 1949-1955. It was a small low cost two seater, although families often made use of the space behind the seats for extra adults and/or children etc.
The radiator was located behind the engine which made possible a lowered aerodynamic nose profile thus allowing exceptional forward visibility. The two door version (a three door version the ‘Giardinetta’ was available from 1948) came with either a solid or open ‘sunroof’.
During WWII cars like this were adopted by the military and captured ones were used by many opposing forces. As well as the kit featuring in this review Bronco also make a civilian hard top version (kit# CB35167), a German hardtop DAK version with IF8 infantry trailer (kit# CB35136) and an Italian Army open top light staff car (kit# CB35164).
Contents
The kit comes in the standard Bronco open top box depicting a beige and black Topolino, with the aforementioned lady sitting in the front, and her Dalmatian dog in the back. As is common these days Bronco also produce the boxart in the form of a poster, in the kit.
The box is Bronco’s usual size meaning the few parts look lost in the bottom of the box; on saying that no parts were broken in transit. The bags, all sealed to avoid loss of parts, include nine sprues of light tan/pale grey and clear injection moulded styrene, a superbly moulded one piece body shell (sensibly packed in a clear ‘blister pack’), a fret of PE and the kit’s decals. Oh…and the poster. In total there are less than 150 parts I reckon.
Instructions
These are the usual high quality, glossy, Bronco instructions. There are 18 build stages spread over 15 pages and these all look sensible and pretty uncomplicated. There are three colour schemes; claret and black, beige and black, or just plain old black. Paints from Mr Hobby, Bobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya are provided. I will attach the instructions at the bottom of this review.
Sprues etc
Moulding is exceptional; a few fine, easy to remove, seam lines are evident. Nothing of any concern anyway. There is no flash whatsoever. There are some ejection pin marks and most won’t be seen upon completion but I think those under the bonnet might be, if it’s being built open to show the lovely engine; these may need filling.
Sprue A; chassis, engine, transmission, axles and body parts, doors etc. The ‘meat’ of the kit’s parts.
Sprue B (x 2); wheels, tyres and seats plus some small details parts.
Sprue D; canvas sunroof parts (open and closed options).
Sprue G; fuel tank etc
Part C; One piece body shell.
Sprue E; clear sprues. Door and windscreen glazing etc
Sprue H; frame parts for canvas sunroof.
Sprue E and F; female figure, and dog.
Photo etc parts; number plates, bonnet badge, windscreen wipers etc.
Decals; dashboard dials and licence numbers to make up your own numbers.
Summary
This kit looks great; a small parts count, simple looking construction, and excellent moulding quality. It comes with a complete engine, detailed chassis and suspension requiring just a little plumbing for extra detail.
The one piece body shell is excellent and allows for the doors and bonnet to be left open to show off that lovely engine and transmission. The interior is simple and uncomplicated as was the real vehicle and it just cries out for some appropriate stowage. The roof can be built open or closed depending on the scenario.
The addition of the female figure is a nice touch. Of no use if this vehicle is militarised but still useful IMHO. Maybe not as attractive as the lady on the box front but credible nonetheless. The dog as a multitude of uses
Conclusion
This looks like a fairly easy to build kit by today’s standards. The subject matter is interesting and would inject a nice bit of colour into any wartime diorama. Many were used by the German and Italian armies and I think wouldn’t look out of place in Europe, North Africa/Middle East or Russia; just try and find some nice period photos to replicate (although I’ve seen hardtop ones in military use in Russia I’ve not actually seen any soft top ones but that doesn’t mean anything really?). I think it would make a nice runabout for Bronco’s War Correspondents in Italy, late in The War, like the Fiat used by Alan Whicker when he was in The AFPU. Now that’s an idea?
Highly recommended.
These photos are of a 1939 Fiat Topolino Convertible, Model A, with a red/black body like Bronco’s option 2. Hope they’re useful.
Instructions
Review type: in box review
Reviewed by: Smudge
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Bronco Models
Model Number: CB35165
Model kindly supplied by Bronco for this review.
Introduction
The Fiat 500 or ‘Topolino’ (literally Little Mouse) was launched in 1937 and produced until 1955. Three models were produced with only minor mechanical and cosmetic differences; Model A ran from 1937-1948, Model B 1948-1949 and Model C from 1949-1955. It was a small low cost two seater, although families often made use of the space behind the seats for extra adults and/or children etc.
The radiator was located behind the engine which made possible a lowered aerodynamic nose profile thus allowing exceptional forward visibility. The two door version (a three door version the ‘Giardinetta’ was available from 1948) came with either a solid or open ‘sunroof’.
During WWII cars like this were adopted by the military and captured ones were used by many opposing forces. As well as the kit featuring in this review Bronco also make a civilian hard top version (kit# CB35167), a German hardtop DAK version with IF8 infantry trailer (kit# CB35136) and an Italian Army open top light staff car (kit# CB35164).
Contents
The kit comes in the standard Bronco open top box depicting a beige and black Topolino, with the aforementioned lady sitting in the front, and her Dalmatian dog in the back. As is common these days Bronco also produce the boxart in the form of a poster, in the kit.
The box is Bronco’s usual size meaning the few parts look lost in the bottom of the box; on saying that no parts were broken in transit. The bags, all sealed to avoid loss of parts, include nine sprues of light tan/pale grey and clear injection moulded styrene, a superbly moulded one piece body shell (sensibly packed in a clear ‘blister pack’), a fret of PE and the kit’s decals. Oh…and the poster. In total there are less than 150 parts I reckon.
Instructions
These are the usual high quality, glossy, Bronco instructions. There are 18 build stages spread over 15 pages and these all look sensible and pretty uncomplicated. There are three colour schemes; claret and black, beige and black, or just plain old black. Paints from Mr Hobby, Bobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya are provided. I will attach the instructions at the bottom of this review.
Sprues etc
Moulding is exceptional; a few fine, easy to remove, seam lines are evident. Nothing of any concern anyway. There is no flash whatsoever. There are some ejection pin marks and most won’t be seen upon completion but I think those under the bonnet might be, if it’s being built open to show the lovely engine; these may need filling.
Sprue A; chassis, engine, transmission, axles and body parts, doors etc. The ‘meat’ of the kit’s parts.
Sprue B (x 2); wheels, tyres and seats plus some small details parts.
Sprue D; canvas sunroof parts (open and closed options).
Sprue G; fuel tank etc
Part C; One piece body shell.
Sprue E; clear sprues. Door and windscreen glazing etc
Sprue H; frame parts for canvas sunroof.
Sprue E and F; female figure, and dog.
Photo etc parts; number plates, bonnet badge, windscreen wipers etc.
Decals; dashboard dials and licence numbers to make up your own numbers.
Summary
This kit looks great; a small parts count, simple looking construction, and excellent moulding quality. It comes with a complete engine, detailed chassis and suspension requiring just a little plumbing for extra detail.
The one piece body shell is excellent and allows for the doors and bonnet to be left open to show off that lovely engine and transmission. The interior is simple and uncomplicated as was the real vehicle and it just cries out for some appropriate stowage. The roof can be built open or closed depending on the scenario.
The addition of the female figure is a nice touch. Of no use if this vehicle is militarised but still useful IMHO. Maybe not as attractive as the lady on the box front but credible nonetheless. The dog as a multitude of uses
Conclusion
This looks like a fairly easy to build kit by today’s standards. The subject matter is interesting and would inject a nice bit of colour into any wartime diorama. Many were used by the German and Italian armies and I think wouldn’t look out of place in Europe, North Africa/Middle East or Russia; just try and find some nice period photos to replicate (although I’ve seen hardtop ones in military use in Russia I’ve not actually seen any soft top ones but that doesn’t mean anything really?). I think it would make a nice runabout for Bronco’s War Correspondents in Italy, late in The War, like the Fiat used by Alan Whicker when he was in The AFPU. Now that’s an idea?
Highly recommended.
These photos are of a 1939 Fiat Topolino Convertible, Model A, with a red/black body like Bronco’s option 2. Hope they’re useful.
Instructions
