This is the Italeri 1/35 scale Carro Armato L6/40.

I've added both aftermarket resin and PE, along with the ever popular Friul metal tracks. Also replaced/added a number of resin rivets.

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As early as 1936, the shortcomings of the L3 tankettes were being realized by Fiat-Ansaldo. Working towards a replacement fast light tank, many delays were experienced in theories, design, and initial production. This ensured that once the L6/40 arrived on the battlefield, it would already be obsolete.



One of the first units to be equipped in large numbers with the L6/40 would be the cavalry regiment Lancieri di Novara (as I've depicted here). Only it's third battalion would serve in North Africa, while the other two were sent to Russia. During the Gazala battles of 1942, it was composed of two companies, with a total of 33 tanks. It was attached as a recon unit to the Ariete armoured division, but later would transfer to the newly arrived Littorio as was originally intended.



















regards,
Jack

Great looking build and figures.

Beautiful work!

Where did the figures come from? They're exceptionally well done.

Any in-progress shots?

Thanks for sharing!

Very nice work all-round!

--mike

Kevin, Mike and Michael - thanks guys.

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Figures are from two different manufacturers:



I have some progress photos saved on flickr:

[urlhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/99754592@N04/sets/72157637319087933/[/url]

regards,
Jack

great build.love the guys ..

Thanks for an ID on the figure manufacturers, Jack.

Beautiful painting on them. They're a real pleasure to look at!

There are some very nice little "hidden" details on the tank, too, like the asbestos sheeting between the muffler and its guard and the diffusion lines in the headlight lenses.

This is one of those builds that I'd love to get a chance to look at in person one day.

Jack,

Masterful!

I really appreciate your restrained weathering. It looks authentic.

The suntan on the figures - I'd like to know your paint mixture. The tanker is, I believe, the most lifelike I've ever seen.

Like Mike said, "This is one of those builds that I'd love to get a chance to look at in person one day."

Very nice work.

Did you re-rivet it or is that how it came?

KL

Roy - thanks kindly.

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Mike - yes, the muffler is a resin replacement from Royal Model.



Italeri provides the headlight lenses pre-punched on a small sheet of acetate. I just took an exacto knife and lightly cut the backside to create the lines. I used future clear to attach them. This gives plenty time to orientate them correctly, and no worries about them fogging up.

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Frederick - thanks very much!

For the base skin colour, I use to use Brown Sand, but when that ran out a while ago, I mixed my own using Green Ochre and Red Leather. I can't remember the exact percentages, but probably mostly ochre - it looks like a medium to dark tan colour.

Once the base colour is dry, I tackle the eyes. Then I go back to the skin tones and put succesive layers of lighter tones. This includes mixing the above base mix, Medium Fleshtone and Basic Fleshtone. All the paint colours are Vallejo acrylics.

To introduce red into the figure, such as the cheeks, any basic red will do. My current bottle on the bench was Andrea's Napoleonic Red. This too is mixed a little with the flesh colours above.

I used very little dark brown if any for the shadow areas. I rely mainly on a final dark wash to pull things together. Vallejo has a wash dedidcated for figures, numbered 73204. Before it completely dries, I'll go into highlight areas and push aside or absorb some of the excess with the same brush.

A final flat spray follows. Once attached to the base, I'll lightly feather on some beard stubble with black weathering powder.

HtH

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Kurt - thanks, and that is a good question about the rivets.

The turret is really bad in that aspect, very anemic and actually missing some bolt detail on the sides at the front end.




I replaced most of the upper hull ones too, though those behind the sandbags I didn't bother.



regards,
Jack

Thanks Jack. I thought they looked larger than in the other photos I've seen.

KL

Fantastic modelling.

Somewhat amazing to imagine those guys trying to climb into that tiny machine...