Carro Comando M13/40 with 8mm Breda Machine Guns

IBG Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Background

The Carro Armato M13/40 was an Italian World War II tank designed to replace the M11/39 in the Royal Italian Army at the start of World War II. It was the primary tank used by Italian forces throughout the war.

The name refers to "M" for Medio (medium) according to the Italian tank weight standards at the time, 13 tonnes was the scheduled weight and 1940 the initial year of production.

The M13/40 was used in the Greek campaign in 1940 and 1941 and in the North African Campaign.

The Semovente Comando M40 was an M13/40 tank with the turret replaced by a large multi-piece hatch. The hull housed additional radios and other communication equipment.*

FirstLook

There have been a number of 1/72 scale M13/40 kits over the last five. Most recently, Italeri's 2010 release was more of a simplified wargamer's kit. Prior that, ESCI had an example released in 1975, when I was still in high school. Most of the other M13/40s in this scale are re-boxes of the ESCI kit.

Now, finally, IBG presents us with an all-new 21st Century 1/72 scale M13/40 family.

Hot on the heels od IBG's M13/40 Italian Tank comes the Command Tank version - Semovente Comando M40. The kit comprises 67 parts in grey plastic, 17 photo-etched parts on one fret, and markings for four vehicles.

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Thumbnail panels:

The kit is moulded in a smooth, satin finish medium grey plastic. They are flawless as far as I can see. Detail is crisp, subtle and convincing. Raised rivet heads, recessed panel lines, hinges and other structural features are all there in glorious small scale. I love the pitted rolled steel effect on the engine deck.

Parts are attached to the sprues with moderately narrow strips.

The lower hull sides, bottom and front are moulded as a single part.

The upper hull is made up from three main piece – the front panel, the engine deck (with some really nicely moulded vents) and a blank centre.

The hull superstructure is moulded as one piece too. I appreciate the lack of “flat pack” here.

Vision hatches are moulded separately.

Assembly begins with the running gear and tracks. The tracks are moulded as one part with the inner row of road wheels, return rollers, idler wheel and drive sprocket.

These have been thoughtfully designed for speed and ease of assembly with no compromise in detail.

Track thickness is acceptable and detail is terrific. Each link features recessed holes representing track pins.

The bogie trucks are moulded as one main piece each. The only bits missing are the two inner wheels and their connecting mounts that are attached to the tracks. The road wheels and springs are well detailed with raised rims, small even perforations on the wheel hubs and locking nuts.

The idler wheel and drive sprocket parts are attached to the track assembly. The drive sprocket teeth that correspond to the track are not present, making it easier and more precise to line up the tracks with the sprockets.

Detail parts including foot holds, handles and more are included on the photo-etched fret. They are not too tiny – should be manageable for a moderately experienced small-scale modeller.

Tools, spare wheels and fuel drums are supplied in plastic for the upper hull.

The turret is broken down into the main upper shell, front mantlet and a base that will allow rotation after the model is complete.

The turret machine gun looks good. Hatches may be posed open but no figures are supplied.

Markings are supplied for three vehicles on one decal sheet printed by Techmod.

All three are finished in overall sand.

Conclusion

This is a simple but well-detailed kit of an interesting Italian Command vehicle. I particularly like the clever engineering of the tracks and running gear.

* Historical summary adapted from Wikipedia

Thanks to IBG Models for the sample