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Introduction
This is a perfect example of the rise in quality of Braille scale
kits. Some 10 years ago I would have been more than happy with this
kit. But today, modellers are cockered up by Dragon and Revell kits,
while Italeri is offering unusual subjects of good quality. This kit
is labelled as a fast assembly kit, but in fact it is much more detailed
than earlier Italeri offerings in their wargaming series. In fact
it sits somewhere between wargame and display kits. But for any assessment
you must remember that it is not a display kit.
 
 
 
 
Content
There are three sprues of plastic parts and a separate cabin. Two
sprues are in semi-hard plastic. They contain parts for the gun and
crew. As far as I know they are the same as in
kit No. 6122. The third sprue is from hard plastic and contains
parts for the truck and gun platform. While some details are acceptable,
other parts are not so good. The gun shield in particular is too thick
and the cabin offers a lot of space for detailing. Aftermarket sets
for cabin and gun details and gun shield could be helpful, but I doubt
if anyone will produce it for "fast assembly" kits. The
gun platform is offered only in the firing position, with lowered
stabilizing supports. On the other hand, the gun shield has a closed
opening for the gun sight, so it is better suited for the transport
position. Tyres have at least some tread pattern. While it is not
accurate, it is better than completely smooth wheels. The height of
the crew is 180 cm and taller. They may be slightly taller than average
soldiers in WWII, but still acceptable.
Markings
Decals are provided for two vehicles. One is overall green from an
unknown unit in Sicily during 1943. The other is an overall sand vehicle
from the 131st Armoured Division "Centauro" in Tunisia during
1943.
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