Camionetta AS 42 Sahariana | Italeri | 1/35

[tigrazor]

Hello all.

Some months ago I got this kit and it was a long time considered to be build one day. The Sahariana is a strange vehicle used by Italian forces, but very effective.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrsZVLiipgk



Heres a little bit of history:

www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/italy/Camioneta_AS-42_Sahariana.php


The kit has resine parts inside (engine) and even two figures and besides the instructions theres a booklet with brief history and original pictures of the vehicle.


The build itself makes no problems so far. It will be placed on a former wooden cigar box. I used wet kitchen paper here for the surface and chinchilla sand. And lots of haispray.

So there we are, the build will be continued of course.

 

[Tobi]

Interesting vehicle which was from a technical point of view a very good design.

BTW, did you know the Italians were the original inventors of the Jerry can? So it should be named "Tony can" instead, to be precise.

[tigrazor]

This was mentioned in the Italeri instructions - didnt know that before. The Saharianas caused much trouble to the LRDG, so they say.

[Leon]

Looks like a cool project Lucas!

[wbill76]

Nice choice of subject and layout! The Italians are often viewed poorly (for good reason in many cases due to things often beyond their control) in WW2 but some of their stuff was still pretty good.

[Tobi]

The wheeled designs like the AB-41/43 and Sahariana were pretty good.
The tracked vehicles were for most of the part totally worthless, even the later tanks like the P40 suffered from outdated features like riveted hull and armor (in 1943!).

But I think the main problem was the Italian chain of command and inadequate leadership. I've read a diary of an Afrika Korps member who stated the Italians were good and brave soldiers and even better brothers in arms (until they switched sides) which led to quite some frustrations and last handshakes later on Sicily before former friends turned into enemies over night.

[sturmbird]

there were three or four different kits (will slightly different), and you have the good one! The later ones came with a phot0 etch fret that was nice. Royal model has some nice resin and a couple others do correct wheels and tires (kit ones are not right in diameter and tread pattern).

Did a little research on the thing, and found they were also used for a short period on the Eastern Front. There also was about four different versions.
gary

[tigrazor]

Youre right, German units used a few for the Eastern Front, and in Italy some were used for police units after WW2.

[sturmbird]

Sept 3, 2017 16:16:10 GMT -5 tigrazor said:

Youre right, German units used a few for the Eastern Front, and in Italy some were used for police units after WW2.

Italians used them as well in late 44 on the Eastern Front after the capitulation of Italy.
gary

[deafpanzer]

Bought very same kit from a friend and I thought it came so loaded with so many great goodies! I am anxious to see how you build it.

[sturmbird]

Sept 4, 2017 20:49:26 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Bought very same kit from a friend and I thought it came so loaded with so many great goodies! I am anxious to see how you build it.

the first issue had an optional resin engine, and has never been offered again. There is only one suitable figure set out there (that I can find) and it ain't cheap. The tank figures are not correct, as these things used regular infantry with slight uniform variations. Wheels and tires are not very good, and are actually too small in diameter. The tread pattern is for a prototype that never saw service. Royal model makes a better set of gas cans and water cans. Think Hussar does a set of wheels and tires, but there's also at least one other set.
gary

[jpc1968]

El Duce would be proud.

[dierk]

Nice choice of kit - you know I like the weird and wonderful