20mm Italian vehicles and artillery on the market today.

The value of the Italian effort in Spain is vastly underestimated so much so that the amount concerning their efforts in print since 1939 could be written on a postage stamp.

However the wargamer/modeller is not that badly placed.

The CV3/33 is covered by Skytrex in the twin MG (£ 5.50) and flame-thrower (£ 7.95) versions. This is an excellent model and far outweighs its Milicast competitor in terms of accuracy, feel and ease of construction. The Skytrex kit is highly recommended.

The Lancia IZ armoured car of WWI vintage is covered by Ravensthorpe and is an excellent white metal model that looks right, is easily assembled, and well worth the £ 4.95 price tag.

Skytrex also cover a large range of Italian artillery, of which only the SKODA 100MM/17 (£ 3.95) and SCHNEIDER 105 MM (£ 3.95 ) are appropriate. Again both kits are acuurate but the shield and the fit of the parts on the Skoda 100mm are not of the same quality as other Skytrex kits.

Ravensthorpe produce some very nice Italian pieces. First of these is the Breda 20mm 20/65 model 35 AA gun (£ 2.75). This is not available from any other manufacturer and is simply excellent although the single gunner figure is just adequate. The model can only be used in the firing position, but nevertheless is highly recommended.

This manufacturer also produces the 47mm anti tank gun.The gun has the right look and feel , but construction is fiddly ,the trails need a lot of practise fitting before gluing to thegun/wheel. This model is also available from RAFM where you get 3 for £ 2.25 (Model Figures & Hobbies, 4 Lower Balloo Rd., Groomsport, Co Down, BT19 2LU).

Another piece from Ravensthorpe is the 75mm 27 model 12 field gun (£ 2.95). This kit looks right and fits together well, although detail is simplified. The alternative is the new kit from 4 Mil Models which is the earlier model 06 example but is excellent in terms of detail, fit and look.However you have to buy the Fiat 708 oci cm tractor with the gun (both together cost £ 7.95). The tractor used the same running gear as the cv33 tankette and was used extensively in Spain. This too is an excellent model and is well worth buying the combination of both kits. 4 Mil also sell the tractor separately at £ 6.95.

Raventhorpe also produce 2 Italian mountain guns . The 65mm mountain gun canone da 65/17 (£ 2.25) is an excellent wargame piece that looks right and is easy to construct. A weakness is that it lacks detail and does not include the large shield so often seen on this gun in Spain.

The other mountain gun is the classic Skoda 75mm model 15 (£ 2.50) used by most European countries from WW1 to early WW2, seeing extensive service in government and rebel hands and also in the hands of the Italians. The model is excellent on all levels and this time does include a shield, although most references on use in Spain tend to see it without one.

Ravensthorpe also list a 122mm howitzer under their Italian range. This piece was a Vickers export version of the 18 pdr and saw extensive use in Spain on both sides. but I have yet to see any evidence of use in the CTV divisions.

The same company list a 149mm 149/35 field gun, however, this piece was not used in Spain, Italian units only taking deliveries in 1939/40. The gun is actually a 149/40 m35 and should not be confused with the canone da 149/35 carriage piece that saw extensive use in Spain along with the ex Skoda 149mm 149/13 field gun(neither of these are available in 20mm at the present time).

Flags

The first 10 sets of flags from the Bandera flags range have been released.These are of excellent quality appearing on strong non sticky/glued paper allowing you to position your flag how you want before being committed to gluing.

All flags are to scale and thoroughly researched. You get 6 flags on each sheet (half of A5) and are available in 20mm from Bandera Miniatures or in 15mm from Peter Pig. Highly recommended, with many more flags due soon especially as further research turns up even more new items.

More Reviews

Carros de Combate Trubia 1925-1939 (book)
Fighting Americans (two books)
Libertarias (film)
Models and Flags
Spanish Civil War (video)
Legion Condor (book)
Andre Malreux (book)
Two Films (films)
Video and Book Reviews