Wednesday, December 4

Preview: Italeri's three releases of December...

Italeri has three releases for December. The first Lightning, the APC of the free world, & an Italian Seagull are the items up for scrutiny. We have the sprues, art, colours, & decals in our preview...

Preview: Italeri's three releases of December...

P-38 J Lightning
From Italeri
No #2834
1/48th scale
Model Dim.24,0 cm
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was undoubtedly one of the most original aircraft in terms of design and aerodynamic layout during World War II. It was a revolutionary heavy fighter featuring a twin-boom fuselage design, with the two engines housed in the booms and the pilot seated in a forward cockpit positioned at the centre of the aircraft. Powered by two liquid-cooled Allison V-1710 V-12 engines, each producing 1,425 hp, the P-38 could reach a top speed of over 660 km/h (410 mph).

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
It was armed with four 12.7 mm Browning machine guns and a Hispano M2 cannon, providing substantial firepower. Though not as manoeuvrable as the single-engine fighters of its time, it was highly robust and stable. One of its key strengths was its long flight range, making it particularly effective in the Pacific theatre and for escorting long-range bombers over European skies. Due to its distinctive shape and formidable combat capabilities, enemy pilots nicknamed the P-38 “the fork-tailed devil.”

The parts of the kit


M113A1
From Italeri
No #6753
1/35th scale
Model Dim.13,9 cm
Link & length Tracks
The M113 can be considered one of the most famous APCs (armoured personnel carriers) in history. It was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s with the specific purpose of transporting a fully armed and equipped infantry squad with a good level of protection as close as possible to the combat zone. In addition to the tactical transport of the infantry squad, the M113 could provide close support to the troops through its onboard weapons, which, in the early versions, were limited to a 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun. .

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
First deployed in Vietnam, it became one of the most widely used armoured vehicles in the world, with over 80,000 units produced. Reliable and robust, with good performance across all types of terrain, it was employed in various versions by numerous armed forces

The parts of the kit


CANT Z.501 Gabbiano
From Italeri
No #
1/72nd scale
Model Length: 19.9 cm
The CANT Z.501 "Gabbiano" was a central-hull seaplane designed for maritime reconnaissance, developed by engineer Filippo Zappata for the Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico (C.R.D.A.) in the 1930s. The aircraft's design featured a large high wing and lateral floats, making it suitable for patrol, search, and rescue operations at sea. It was powered by a 900 HP Isotta Fraschini Asso XI engine, providing good range and a maximum speed of 275 km/h.

The decals supplied in this kit
The marking choices in this kit
The CANT Z.501 began its operational service during the Spanish Civil War but was extensively used by the Regia Aeronautica during World War II in the Mediterranean theater. It was armed with three 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns for defence against air attacks and could carry a limited offensive payload.

The parts of the kit

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