Autoblinda AS 41

Italeri 1/72 Scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Summary

A Brief History

The AB 41 was the most produced of the Italian Armoured Cars and was a modification of the AB 40 with the main change being the twin machine guns in the turret (AB 40) to a 20mm cannon and coaxial M/G (AB 41).

A 40mm gun was later added (AB 43) but production of this was interrupted by the Armistice and few were built. The AB 41, was also the basis for the Desert Reconnaissance Vehicle, AS 42 Sahariana.

The AB 41 fought on every battlefield where the Italian Army participated, including Russia, and after the Armistice some were taken over by the Germans.

FirstLook

This is another new moulding by Italeri and a follow-on from their Sahariana reviewed by me here on Missing-Lynx recently, in fact a small number of parts are the same.

Having only 61 parts, there is only one sprue in tan coloured plastic but the detail is gorgeous with no flash or blemishes of any kind visible. Some parts are very small and caution will be required in removing them from the sprue.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Although the side hatches in the hull are moulded closed, the two turret hatches are open and a figure could be added to lend the model some scale. All the tools are separate as too are the tyres from the wheels making them much easier to paint. This breakdown probably stems from the 1/35 scale kit by Italeri having the tyres in rubber. Fortunately, in 1/72 scale they are plastic.

There are decals for 4 vehicles by Zanchetti Buccinasco of very high quality.

The first is an Italian Police Vehicle in Tunisia, 1943 in overall sand with Italian Tri-colour in five places and a black 15. Next is another Italian vehicle in Libya, 1942 also in sand with four black bars on the hull sides. We then have one taken over by the German Army, 162nd Infantry Division, Italy, July 1944 in Italian three colour cammo. Last is a third Italian Army vehicle, Pinerolo, Italy, 1942 also in the three colour scheme. Oddly, the German vehicle has white number plate decals but with no markings on them.
 

Conclusion

It is pleasing to see Italeri doing Italian vehicles in both 1/35 and 1/72 scales that are literally ignored by all the other major manufacturers. Interesting subjects beautifully moulded.

Thank You Mr. Italeri!

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Italeri for the review sample.