Bolt Action: Carro Armato/semovente

Produced by Fiat Ansaldo, the M13/40 was the main battle tank of the Italian army in World War II and served throughout the war following its introduction in 1940. Although designated as a medium tank it was more in line with the light tanks of other nations at the time. With armour up to 42mm thick, and armed with a 47mm main gun backed up by up to four 8mm machine guns, it carried a four-man crew. Its diesel engine, whilst underpowered, giving a top speed of around 20mph, was less vulnerable to catching fire and had better range than petrol-fuelled vehicles. The most widely produced Italian tank of the war, the M13/40 battled on in the Western Desert and Italy despite Allied tanks far eclipsing it in firepower, speed and protection. This superb plastic kit can alternatively be assembled as a Semovente tank. The Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun brings some much needed armoured reinforcements to Italian forces. The Semovente was an Italian self-propelled gun, built by mounting the 75mm Obice da 75/18 modello 34 mountain gun on the chassis of a M13/40 or M14/41 tank. It had riveted steel plates, which were thicker but also less sloped than in the original tank. Frontal armour was almost vertical, but it consisted of two plates rather than a single layer, which improved stopping power. You may think these tanks may only be for Italian Bolt Action armies, but you’d be dead wrong. Captured examples of the M13 were used by the Australians at Tobruk and the Germans were known to use Semoventes. The kit has you covered, including a decal sheet with Italian army, German army and Australian Army markings. Contains 1 plastic tank. Models supplied unassembled and unpainted.