1:72 AS 42 Sahariana

Camionetta AS 42 Sahariana (1:72, Italeri)

This is an injection-molded plastic kit of the Italian desert reconnaissance and patrol vehicle Camionetta AS 42 Sahariana in 1:72 scale from Italeri. The small kit in a small scale captures an open vehicle with its armament and desert equipment. The model is assembled and painted like a conventional plastic kit.

The real subject

The AS 42 Sahariana was an Italian vehicle for long-range reconnaissance and patrol work, developed in the Second World War on the mechanical basis of the AB 41 armored car. It was meant for the hard conditions of North Africa and carried strong armament - usually a 20 mm Breda cannon and one or two 8 mm Breda machine guns. Only a few dozen were built, and the Italian army used them for long-range patrols and reconnaissance in the desert, where their speed and long range proved themselves. The open structure without a roof matched the demand for good visibility and for the crew to get aboard quickly.

Building and painting tips

In a small scale take care over clean cleanup of the small parts, cut the remains of the sprue gates off with a sharp knife and glue the parts delicately with liquid cement. Spray the kit over primer in a desert ocher tone and bring out the panels with subtle shading in a lighter shade. An open vehicle invites detail on the load, the jerrycans and the equipment, which tend to be prominent on vehicles of this kind. Create the weathering with dust pigments on the chassis and the lower surfaces, which will give the vehicle a convincing desert look and emphasize its broken-up shape.

Who the model is for

• For fans of Italian equipment and of the fighting in North Africa.
• For collectors of vehicles in 1:72 scale.
• For modelers drawn to unusual desert machines.
• For builders of dioramas with a desert theme.

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