1:35 Autoblinda Ferroviaria spare wheels (rail version) AB 41-43 type 2

Spare wheels for the railway Autoblinda

This set by Pimp My Miniatures is tied to the rail conversion of the Italian armored car AB 41 and AB 43 and carries the tread pattern listed as the second type. Vehicles in this rendition moved along rails on flanged wheels and carried their ordinary road wheels stowed on the hull, so that they could return to the road at any time. The castings are therefore part of the stowage on the model, not of the running gear.

An armored vehicle that ran on rails

The conversion to rail operation was the Italian answer to attacks on the railways in the rear. The vehicle received smaller flanged wheels and modified guidance, and could thus serve as a reconnaissance trolley that ran the line ahead of a train and found out whether the rails were mined. They were deployed mainly in the Balkans and in northern Italy, where resistance to the occupation was growing. The crew managed the change from rails to road without a workshop, which was a rarity among conversions of this kind, and that is exactly what makes this machine a rewarding subject for a model.

Ideas for use

Leave the stowed wheels dusty and bleached by the sun, because they were used less often than the ones under the vehicle. Bring the band of rubber out with pigment, so that it stands apart from the disc, and suggest the mounting with wire or a strap of foil. A scene with a stretch of track, a set of points and ballast will show the set off best.

The set will suit above all

• lovers of unusual Italian equipment
• dioramas with railway track
• modelers who add stowage to the hull
• experienced builders of armored cars

The set does not contain the vehicle, track or painting materials.