[1/35th] AB41 Armored Cars by AZIMUT PRODUCTIONS

[Story]

So I've had these two resin bricks since the 1990s (according to Scalemates https://www.scalemates.com/kits/adv-azimut-35040-fiat-ab-41--986645 ). 

They're chock full of fiddly bits, particularly in the suspensions.

Note that the rearward machinegun has the same 'dome' on the roof, for top feeding machinegun magazine clearance.


The intent is for both to be bog-standard sand colored, one Italian and the other Polish Carpathian Lancers.

Only problem is that Sprue Brothers wants $10 to ship *anything*, even a $10 sheet of decals. Anyone anticipating making an order with them soon?
https://spruebrothers.com/ech356046-1-35-echelon-polish-carpathian-lancer-panzer-iii-ausf-j-ab41/

Someone else's build thread elsewheres, for reference
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/airfixtributeforum/azimut-productions-1-35-autoblinda-ab-41-t19707.html?sid=f23d3d968363f85a43e6d6fd56a8e5a6

[Story]

As captured by and put into service by the Polish Carpathian Lancers
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/autoblinda-ab41-in-allied-service/#google_vignette

See the pennant and palm insignia? Polish crewman but makes me wonder if that '8' is the Italian number or subsequent Polish [ETA 29FEB24]
the coat of arms of the IV Plotone Autoblindo (English: 4th Armored Car Platoon) of the III Gruppo Autoblindo ‘Nizza’ is seen painted on the right side of the armored car in a contemporary propaganda video.  That's from the link above.

Looking closely, I'd say this is a second PCL AB41 - missing front fender(s), odd marking to the left of the side door (between the two crewmen). From the link at the top of this post -
From British veterans’ memoirs, an unknown, but limited number of Italian captured vehicles were used by British forces in training camps located in Egyptian territories. They were used to familiarize British soldiers with enemy vehicles. It seems that even few AB41s were deployed to teach their armored car crews to train to drive and fight Italian armored cars. Sadly, no photographic evidence has been found. [ETA 29FEB24]

The AB41 plated ‘Polizia dell’Africa Italiana 508’ the seventh armored car of the AB41 model. It was probably taken in the early days of September 1941 in the Libyan desert.
via https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/autoblinda-ab41-in-polizia-dellafrica-italiana-service/

[Story]

Note: Camo screening and mounted AA gun
 

FIDDLY BITS! FIDDLY BITS! FIDDLY BITS! FIDDLY BITS!

Royal Italian Army, "Cavalleggeri di Lodi" light armored unit, North Africa <- ETA emboldened for reading clarities. [29FEB24]

That really really looks like a M1919A4 Browning

[apophenia]

... That really really looks like a M1919A4 Browning ...

Fuzzy, fuzzy ... but my guess would be a recovered British Browning MkII. That's based mainly on the shadow above the barrel on the front of the breech ... but the lack of a muzzle booster/flash suppressor is problematic 

[Story]

... That really really looks like a M1919A4 Browning ...

Fuzzy, fuzzy ... but my guess would be a recovered British Browning MkII. That's based mainly on the shadow above the barrel on the front of the breech ... but the lack of a muzzle booster/flash suppressor is problematic 

The lack of muzzle boosters [plural since the follow on car has what looks like the same setup] isn't problematic if they are M1919A4s taken off a Stuart (Honey) or M3 (Grant) tank. 

Meanwhile
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/autoblinda-ab41-in-allied-service/

[Old Wombat]

... That really really looks like a M1919A4 Browning ...

Fuzzy, fuzzy ... but my guess would be a recovered British Browning MkII. That's based mainly on the shadow above the barrel on the front of the breech ... but the lack of a muzzle booster/flash suppressor is problematic 

The lack of muzzle boosters [plural since the follow on car has what looks like the same setup] isn't problematic if they are M1919A4s taken off a Stuart (Honey) or M3 (Grant) tank. 

Meanwhile
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/autoblinda-ab41-in-allied-service/

Why would they need to be taken off an existing vehicle? I'm fairly sure the Americans supplied the Brit's with spares, including mg's.

[Story]

Why would they need to be taken off an existing vehicle? I'm fairly sure the Americans supplied the Brit's with spares, including mg's.

Because you're looking at an Italian crewed and owned vehicle - see their uniforms? Captured .30 cals, which beats mag-fed Bredas.

Also, I broke the supporting photos into one post on the Poles and the other on the Italian crewed vehicles, since I figure on two builds. [ETA 29FEB24]

French restoration effort with tons of artistic license
http://www.asphm.com/vehicules/autoblinda_ab_41/autoblinda_ab_41.html


Breda pedestal

The Fiddly Bits Suspensions are a concern [I can seem them disintegrating from someone sneezing],
 so the answer will be a threaded flat head bolt providing center support from below [much like the PANZER LEADER Mk II].


Also, calling out Lance Corporal Dumpi here as a character study for Frank et al.
(Frank always gripes about short and weird figures)

[Frank3k]

Lance Corporal Dumpi wasn't made by Trumpeter - since he looks human - but he does look "off scale" Maybe it's the belt.

[Story]

Lance Corporal Dumpi wasn't made by Trumpeter - since he looks human - but he does look "off scale" Maybe it's the belt.

.... or maybe the perogies.

According to the attribution (Office of War Information North African Campaign) this shows Polish cavalry in Libya, 1942.