AS 42 Sahariana

Italeri 1/72 Scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Summary

A Brief History

During the Italian Desert Operations in North Africa, a need arose for a dedicated desert reconnaissance vehicle and the AS 42 was designed based on the AB 41 Armoured Car chassis and mechanicals. The rear steering position and four-wheel drive were dropped and a large automatic weapon was placed in the centre of the crew compartment. A strange looking machine, much like an over-sized Kubelwagen but, apparently, quite successful in its intended role.

FirstLook

This is a brand new kit by Italeri, although it probably traces its origins to their 1/35 scale kit. The bigger kit has a resin engine and figures that don't come in the Braille Scale offering, but also the former has vinyl tyres. For the 1/72 scale kit we get them in plastic. Personally, I can live without the resin bits but I would not want vinyl tyres. I think we Braillers got the better deal.

67 plastic parts is not bad for a non-tracked vehicle and they're all on one sprue which fortunately just fits inside the end opening box. The above mentioned plastic tyres are separate from the rims which is in itself a godsend as it makes both easier to paint.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The canon with 14 parts is almost a stand-alone kit with Italeri not being afraid to mould some very small parts for both it and the rest of the kit. Also included are alternative windshields, one with a protective cover and just a small opening in the centre. A piece of acetate is supplied with stencils in the instructions to make the clear screens for both shields.

There is no sign of any flash and the few ejector pin marks will all be hidden away once the model is built. The moulding in this kit is up there with the best I've ever seen.

The small but well printed decal sheet has markings for two vehicles, both from Tunisia, early 1943. Both are in overall sand with the only difference being number plates, and one has an Italian flag (also supplied as a decal) painted over the engine cover.

Conclusion

It is good to see Italeri doing some new moulding in this scale rather than just re-releasing the old Esci kits (as welcome as they are). The subjects that Italeri is choosing are doubly welcome as they are vehicles that otherwise don't exist in this scale.

Add this to that the fact that Italeri is not afraid to do some very fine moulding and you have some very exciting kits indeed.

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Italeri for the review sample.