Mussolini’s Legion

[Christian]

Introduction- Mussolini's Legion

 

Hi everyone,

 

It has been a while since I have been on LSP.

 

If you remember I was building the 1/32 scale Junker 52 from a vac u form kit.

 

I got pretty far into build, however I have put the build on hold, due to the fact that I had to start painting the plane.

 

I only just recently got an airbrush and have decide to build some 1/35 scale armour before tackling the huge paint job 1/32 Junker 52.

 

Below is the web link to the Ju52 build if you are interested.

 

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=33963&hl=tante

 

I have decided to build another unusual project.

 

In 1940, Mussolini invades British held Egypt. I found this photo of Italian M13/40 tanks on parade in Tripoli in March 1941.

 

 

 

This has inspired my build of a Royal Italian Armour conveyor leaving Italian held Libya to engage the British forces in the desert.

 

The build will consist of the following:

 

·         10 x scratch built palm trees.

·         2 x M13/40 tanks.

·         1 x M40/75 self-propelled.

·         1 x Italian captured CWT supply truck and trailer.

·         1 x AB 40 armour car.

·         1 x Italian motor cycle.

·         Plus Italian figures.

·         Scratch build base consisting of paved road and paved side walk, plus gutter.

 

I have already started some of the build. Unfortunately I do not take progress photos and only had my iPhone at the time.

 

More photos to come.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Regards,

 

Christian

[Christian]

1/35 Tamiya M13/40 Medium tank- First Tank

 

Below are images of the completed 1/35 Tamiya M13/40 with addition Tamiya Jerry cans + fuel barrel + track (from the Tamiya 75/40 kit). Plus 1/35 Royal Model aftermarket resin M13/40 tank stowage kit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More updates to come,

 

Christian

[spacewolf]

Awesome to see you back !! Great work on the tank and looking forward to seeing what you do with this !!!!

 

 

Vaughn

[Christian]

Dear Vaughn,

 

Thanks for the encouragement. 

[Christian]

1/35 Italeri AB 40

 

Below are images of the completed 1/35 Italeri AB 40 with addition Tamiya Jerry cans + fuel barrel + track (from the Tamiya 75/40 kit). The kit has little bit of model putty filling gaps, not a great fitting kit.

 

I have put in a 1/35 Mini Art figure; Italian Tank Crew. Still have to paint it. The Mini Art heads are not very good. I have ordered another aftermarket heads.

 

Photos below:

 

 

 

 

 

More updates to come,

 

Christian

[LSP_Kevin]

Great to see you back mate! Looks like you've got some skill with armour too.

 

Kev

[Christian]

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

[Christian]

1/35 Scale First Look at Italian Armoured Conveyor

 

Below is the original photo that inspired this build.

 

 

Below are images of the completed 1/35 Italeri AB 40 and 1/35 Tamiya M13/40 with 2 scratch built palm trees.

 

Unfortunately, I have not taken progress photos of build the palm trees, however I have 8 more trees to build and will show how they are built, for those how are interested.

 

Photos below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

More updates to come,

 

Christian

[BGB]

Fantastico!!

 

Cheers

Boris

[Loic]

Looking forward to this diorama ! 

[Christian]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for the kind words.

 

As for the how to make palm trees, I still have 8 more to go and will show how they are made.

 

Hopefully I can start some more palm trees on the weekend.

 

My palm trees are simply made of paper, special wire and white clay. 

 

More updates to come as I have finished another vehicle.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Chris

[Christian]

1/35 Captured CWT Trailer

 

Next in the build process; is a supply trailer and truck.

 

There are a few resin 1/35 Italian trucks and trailers kits in the market place, such as Model Victoria, Criel Model and Italian Kits. However they are a little bit too expensive for me.

 

Hence I have decided to build a Mirror Model 1/35 CWT trailer. The kit comes with 2 trailers. This trailer was pulled by CWT Ford F15 trucks, which the Italian captured and used in North African campaign.

 

Below is a photos of the trailers kits (Mirror Models) and aftermarket load (Resin Cast). The Resin Cast model kit is good value for money; as it gives you 3 different payloads.

 

 

Below are images of the various stages of the trailer built.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Added on 2 additional Jerry cans; from the AB 40 kit.

 

Below are photos of the completed trailer and payload.

 

 

 

 

[Christian]

1/35 Captured CWT Trailer … continued

 

 

 

The trailer is leaning to left; I was trying to show it being unevenly loaded.

 

 

As you can see the trailer is not very big.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Christian

[Christian]

1/35 Captured CWT Ford F15 Truck

 

Now for the supply truck, I have built a captured Ford F15 truck, which was modified by the Italian for operational use in the desert.

 

Italeri 1/35 CWT Ford F15 Truck used by allied forces. Note, I will not be using the Breda cannon.

 

Below is a picture of the Italeri 1/35 CWT Truck.

 

 

Below is a photo of a German captured CWT vehicle, note that the Germans mounted a Breda cannon on the back tray. They have also cut away the roof and side panel over rear wheel guard.

 

 

The kit has a few pin holes in the vehicle under carriage.

 

 

Below are images of the cabin. Note the cabin window frames were simply cut using a razor saw.

 

 

 

 

Below is an image of the spare tyre.

 

 

The rear tray needs a small modification; the panel over the rear wheel is measured and cut away; using a razor saw.

 

 

 

Images below shows all 4 parts (under carriage, cabin, spare tyre and tray) test fitted together. I have also added the trailer to show how long the vehicle is.

 

[Christian]

1/35 Captured CWT Ford F15 Truck… continued

 

 

The CWT Truck painted, washed and used power pigments. Below are the finished results.

 

 

Note, smoke stains have been added on the left side of the tray only, as the exhaust is on the left side.

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately the F15 is not finished yet as I am waiting for aftermarket 1/35 Black Dog CWT stowage kit to arrive. Below is an image of the kit looks like. I also have a get a Italian driver.

 

This is the last of my completed builds. From now on the build and the updates will move a lot slower as I need build the next models.

 

The next models to build will be:

 

·         8 x scratch built palm trees. It takes me a week to finish one, due to the drying time.

 

·         Scratch built 1/35 cobblestone for road, cutter and foot path. I think I will need hundreds of these cobblestones. To complete the two lane road. I only have 1 mould set for full and half cobblestones. I think it is going to take a long time. Plus I have never done this before.

 

·         Scratch build a multi-level diorama board. Should be easy to do.

 

·         Model Victoria, Resin Italian Motor Cycle and rider, called a Gilera LTE 500 Con Bersagliere

 

·         Tamiya M13/40 kit with Black Dog Stowage kit and Allarmi tank crews

 

·         Redoing mini figure in the AB 40 and Tamiya figure in M13/40.

 

I am estimating another 6 months in this build.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Christian