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Italian L3-35r Command tank - completed photos

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  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Italian L3-35r Command tank - completed photos
Posted by jgeratic on Monday, December 19, 2016 3:01 PM

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 Approximately 324 of these tankettes were available to the Italian Army at the beginning of hostilities in North Africa.  Only HQ vehicles, though, would receive radio equipment.  The loop antenna was the initial type, but would eventually be replaced by the standard vertical antenna, along with improved radios.

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This 1/35 kit is one of Bronco's initial releases in the Italian tankette series, and was converted/upgraded to a radio version with a Brach Models resin kit.  There were a few things scratch built, but most importantly the radio box inside the crew compartment.  The figure is also resin, from Brach.

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regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, December 19, 2016 3:15 PM

Another great build jack, that thing is tiny. Great B&W pic as well.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    May 2015
Posted by Griffin25 on Monday, December 19, 2016 3:27 PM

 This vignette looks great! You did a really good job on both subjects. I love the figure. I have never heard of Brach but it looks like high quality. When ever I see one of these tankettes, a model or picture, I think to myself what a nightmare it would be to be a crew member in one. It's a death trap plus an oven if your in N. Africa in summer. Weak armor, weak firepower, no space and a bullet magnet. I have never seen a paint scheme like that. Where does it come from? Thanks

 

 

Griffin

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, December 19, 2016 4:41 PM

Yeah, another great job there Jack on the tankette, figure, and presentation. And I love seeing unusual subjects like this.

I was thinking like Griffin, that thing musta been like a pressure cooker in the hot sun!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Monday, December 19, 2016 10:15 PM


 That's all http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/psfansmilyf.gifaround excellent Jack, especially the weathering effects.
                               http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Animated/Disastermastermotion-3.gif                                                

Sherman-Jumbo-1945

"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now"

 

 
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Monday, December 19, 2016 11:26 PM

Hello Bish, Griffin25, Cliff, and Steve - thank you all for the positive comments. Beer

------------------------------------------
Brach Models is an Italian based company, and they do quite a few resin subjects, including full kits, but they are pricey.

http://www.brachmodel.it/

-----------------------------------------

Yes, this tankette was not an ideal vehicle for WW2, it's design actually goes back to 1929 and the British made Carden Lloyd (which eventually became the prototype of the Universal Carrier). 
The Italian Army wanted something small that could be used in moutainous regions, plus the vehicle itself was only intended to support infantry against enemy infantry.  No doubt the cramped interior did not help in hot climates, nor did those leather jackets issued to armoured crews.  There was also a height restriction put on crews for many designs of Italian armour, I think the cut-off was five feet?

--------------------------------------


The paint scheme is based on period b/w photos combined with literature.  Pictures taken from around the time of Operation Compass (1940),  appear to have dark finishes, which are likely pre-war shades.  Many reference books suggest some desert paint was used before an official colour was arrived at sometime in March 1941. 


regards,
Jack

MrT
  • Member since
    December 2010
Posted by MrT on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 7:25 AM

Excellent work!

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • From: Baraboo, WI
Posted by Poniatowski on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 7:45 AM
Nicely done! Thanks for sharing the photos. I'd love to drive one of those, but would hate to go to war in one! Cheers! Ron
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 12:23 AM

Thank you MrT and Ron. Beer

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 1:37 AM

Love the intricate paint job Jack. Another masterpiece.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 11:24 AM

Mighty fine work there!Toast

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: California
Posted by SprueOne on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 6:28 PM

Love that paint scheme.

Anyone with a good car don't need to be justified - Hazel Motes

 

Iron Rails 2015 by Wayne Cassell Weekend Madness sprueone

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 9:31 PM

Thank you Eric, Mike, and SprueOneBeer

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Monday, December 26, 2016 11:01 AM

That is a fantastic job you've done on this build, base, and figure.  Awesome detail.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Monday, December 26, 2016 12:04 PM

Thanks Toshi ! Beer

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Cincinnati Ohio
Posted by DantheMan85 on Saturday, January 7, 2017 8:05 AM

Wounderful build Jack, a job well done.

On my Work Bench: Tamiya Ford GT 1/24

Up Coming: ?

           

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Saturday, January 7, 2017 10:18 AM

Hi Dan, thanks! Beer

regards,

Jack

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