Monday, May 6

Preview: Six releases for Italeri in May...

A Sherman, Volvo Plat Dak, Zerstörer, an LC3 & a pair of StuGs are the latest kits from Italeri in May - We look at the artwork, sprues, parts & decal/marking choices in our preview...

Preview: Six releases for Italeri in May...

Volvo FH Plat Dak
From Italeri
No #3962
1/24th scale
Model Dim. 24,6 cm
The Volvo FH III series represents the pinnacle of construction technology from the renowned brand of commercial and industrial vehicles. Its modern and appealing design has been crafted to optimize aerodynamics and minimize fuel consumption to ensure the highest standards of operational efficiency. The cabin, available in various configurations including the "Low Roof" version, has been designed to offer the highest standards of active and passive safety. 

The decals supplied in this kit
Tyres and etch in the kit
The marking choices in this kit
Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with modern driver assistance systems and risk prevention features. There are numerous customization options available to tailor the vehicle precisely to specific transportation needs. The "tractor" configuration has been designed to be lightweight and rational, ensuring maximum versatility for any application.

The plastic parts of the kit


Sd.Kfz.167 Sturmgeschutz IV
From Italeri
No #0223
1/35th scale
Model Dim.19,1 cm
The Sturmgeschütz IV was developed on the chassis of the Panzer IV medium tank to provide the German army with an assault gun capable of effectively serving as a tank destroyer in the later stages of World War II. The StuG IV was equipped with a Stuk40 75mm L/48 high-velocity gun installed in a casemate, protected by armored mantlet, capable of penetrating the armor of major enemy armored vehicles. 

The decals supplied in this kit
The markings choices in this kit
Distributed to units in the early months of 1944, it supplemented and often replaced the StuG III assault gun, which had experienced a sudden decrease in production in 1943 due to increasingly frequent Allied bomber raids on German industrial areas. Widely employed, the StuG IV was used by armored units and anti-tank detachments of the Wehrmacht, where, thanks to its low profile, it proved to be particularly difficult to identify.

The plastic parts of the kit


LCM 3
From Italeri
No #6755 
1/35th scale
Model Dim.43,5 cm
The Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) is arguably the most famous landing craft in history, its profile intimately linked to Allied amphibious operations in World War II, from Anzio to the beaches of Normandy. The LCM-3 variant is certainly one of the most successful and effectively employed. The design was simple and straightforward yet extremely rational. 

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
The large front loading ramp allowed for the rapid disembarkation of a fully armed infantry squad as well as a 30-ton medium Sherman tank. The armor was very light, protecting the diesel engine, which enabled the LCM to reach a maximum speed of 8 knots, and the crew required for navigation and close defense, consisting of four men. However, significant was its loading capacity and operational flexibility, which allowed the LCM-3 to carve out an important place in 20th-century military history.

The plastic parts of the kit



Sherman M4 75mm
From Italeri
No # 25751
1/56th scale
Model Dim.10,2 cm
The M4 Sherman medium tank was undoubtedly the most widespread and utilized armored vehicle during the Second World War. The M4 formed the backbone of the American armored forces and was produced in numerous versions and variants. The first model to enter large-scale production was the Sherman M4A1, characterized by its rounded hull and cast turret. 

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
Early Shermans were equipped with a 75mm gun, later replaced by a high-velocity 76mm gun. The Sherman M4A1 entered service in 1942 and equipped the armored units of the United States Army in the early months of the war. However, its true strength lay in its design. The Sherman was economical, reliable, and easy to mass-produce.

The plastic parts of the kit


 StuG III - Sturmhaubitze 105
From Italeri
No #25756
1/56th scale
Model Dim.
Born to provide fire support to the German infantry according to the tactical concepts of Blitzkrieg, the Sturmgeschütz III evolved during the war into new and more advanced versions with a different mission profile. 

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
On the Eastern Front, encounters with the more powerful and innovative Soviet tanks led to an expansion of its role, transitioning from supporting infantry squads to serving as an effective anti-tank armored vehicle. Simple and cost-effective in construction, it was one of the most produced vehicles by German industries until the end of the war. With the introduction of the "G" version specialized in the anti-tank role, the version armed with a 105 mm howitzer (Sturmhaubitze 42) was also introduced.

The plastic parts of the kit


Bf 110 C Zerstörer
From Italeri
No #0049
1/72nd scale
Model Dim. 17,5 cm
Alongside the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter and the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka dive bomber, the Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer is considered one of the symbols of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. The Messerschmitt's heavy multi-role twin-engine fighter was extensively employed by the German air force during the war and, in its various versions, used to fulfill several operational roles: interceptor, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, anti-ship aircraft, and night fighter. Its two Daimler-Benz DB 601 engines, capable of delivering 1200hp, allowed the heavy fighter to reach a maximum speed of 560 km/h. 

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
Versions C and D were widely deployed on all fronts from the early stages of the war. Heavily armed with two 20mm cannons, four 7.92mm machine guns, and a rear machine gun for self-defense, it could carry bombs or additional fuel tanks under the wings to increase its operational range.

The plastic parts of the kit

These should be in shops this month. From more on Italeri's kits check out their website...