by: Nicolas Virtue [ ]
Model Victoria designed this conversion kit for the Zvezda M13/40 (see my review of this model in the Armour section) and not the Tamiya one. It may not work properly with the Tamiya kit, because the conversion includes major pieces, like the transmission cover and engine deck. For the Zvezda kit, though, Model Victoria’s conversion is almost a necessity. The Pros
The conversion kit contains a large number of resin pieces, all beautifully molded in a green-gray, and a small fret of photoetch parts. The M13/40 Conversion Kit is named a “conversion” because, though the Zvezda box says M13/40, the actual model represented is an M14/41. Everything is included here to fix the differences between the 1941 and 1940 model of the Italian medium tank. The characteristic short fenders of the M13/40 are supplied as well as a hull machine gun mount with the proper number of bolts. Photoetch parts backdate the radiators. Those are the main fixes that are most noticeable between the variants, but many other details are included. As stated earlier, the entire engine deck and transmission cover are provided with better detail and opening hatches. Replacement headlights are provided, along with more accurate exhausts, machine guns, and fire extinguisher. Proper wheel hubs and license plates are even included.
What is really the eye-catcher of Model Victoria’s kit, though, is the stowage. There is a multitude of stowage provided, including jerry cans, wonderfully textured sandbags, perfectly draped tarps, bags, boxes, and canteens. I couldn’t use them all. The stowage really brings the model to life and is almost worth the price of the kit alone. The Cons
The only downside I can mention is that some parts weren’t provided that could have made life a little easier. There are no lenses for the headlights, so you have to use your own technique. I used Micro Krystal Klear. Hooks are provided for a tow chain with the kit, but, alas, no chain. The chain really looks a lot better than the cable that Zvezda supplies, so I recommend getting some. I used a cheap, simple, necklace that looked to scale. Overall, though, Model Victoria did a fantastic job with their conversion kit and it allows the modeler to really do justice to this interesting tank.
About Nicolas Virtue (Folgore) University student majoring in History Copyright ©2021 text by Nicolas Virtue [ ]. All rights reserved.
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