WW2 Italian Armored Cars

While I'm no fan of Italian tanks of this era, I AM intriged by the Italian Autoblinda AB 40-42 series... and especially the Sahariana AS42 armored cars they fielded in North Africa.
How well did they compare to their competition (British-German) in that theatre?

Tim

 

Acctualy Sahariana was more or less purpose built desert truck and was rated as excellent by all who managed to use one.

BTW
This year Italeri announced 1/72 models of both Sahariana and Auto blinda and a lot of other stuff in royal scale (1/72).
Italeri's new stuff for 2007:
http://www.modellbahnecke.de/prospekte/2007/italeri2007.htm

 

Thanks TISO.
Yes, it was the new model offerings that initially aroused my curiosity.
The Autoblinda AB41 is offered in 1/35 scale by Italieri and that is my preferred scale for armor.
'Sure wish the Sahariana was also offered in 1/35 scale. I'm afraid I'd have to build one for my armor collection!
(Big Smile.)

Tim

 

Sahariana in 1/35 was last year suprise by Italeri. A friend who built it said it was expensive as hell but worth every penny.

http://www.italeri.com/product.aspx?item=6452S

 

TISO:
Now that truly is good news for everything but my wallet!
Thank-you for sharing the link.

It would appear the Sahariana was on-par with armored scout-recon cars the British or English were fielding in North Africa at that time. The few photos I've seen have indicated the ability to store a large number of "Jerry-Cans" along each side for increased range... and a marked improvement over the Autoblinda series. I understand there was no firewall between the crew and engine compartments in the AB41. That must have been hellish in the North African enviornment.
I really do like the "purposeful" design of the Sahariana... and it's seems relatively well-armed for it's mission as well. They must have been reasonably reliable to have served into the 1950s.

Tim


Tim