1:35 Carro Armato L35/c (C.V.33/II Serie)

Carro Armato L35/c (C.V.33, II Series) 1:35 — Bronco

An injection-molded plastic kit of the Italian L35/c tankette, that is the second series of the C.V.33 type, rearmed with the Swiss 20 mm Solothurn gun, in 1:35 scale from Bronco. The box holds a plastic sprue, clear parts, photo-etched metal and a decal sheet. The kit has no hull interior, so it is quicker to build than the older machine gun form from the same manufacturer, and the tracks are joined into runs on the straight sections, which takes away some tedious work.

The real subject

The C.V.33, later designated L3, was an Italian tankette: a very small two-man tracked vehicle with machine gun armament in the front of the hull and no revolving turret. In 1941 it became clear that machine guns could no longer do anything against British equipment, and a small number of vehicles therefore received the Swiss 20 mm Solothurn anti-tank gun under field conditions. These rearmed machines were used above all for covering fire in the closing stages of the first British counteroffensives in North Africa.

Building and painting tips

Tracks joined on the straight sections make the work easier, but still shape the curved parts over the road wheels so that the track sits down. Finish and paint the hull before you fit the track and the gun. Because the vehicle is very small, every blemish on it counts twice, so fill the seams carefully with putty and sand them back. The Italian sand paint of the North African campaign comes alive with a dark wash in the panel lines and dust effects on the lower part of the hull.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Italian armor of the Second World War
• Modelers looking for an unconventional rearmament
• Builders of dioramas from North Africa
• Modelers with basic experience, as the build is shorter

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.