Tuesday 8 March 2016

From LeeH - 6mm AS42 Scout Vehicles (

Another return to the desert for my latest submission to the challenge. Unlike the Chevy's used by the LRDG the Italians designed the Fiat SPA-AS42 "Saharan" specifically for the desert. The result was an armoured scout vehicle that was fast and agile with a very low profile making it ideal for taking advantage of every bit of terrain cover.

Five Fiat SPA-AS42

The AS42 was built around the chassis of the AB41 armoured car but with a completely new hull. The large central open cabin allowed plenty of room for a range of weapons to be mounted including the Breda 20mm AA Gun and an assortment of heavy calibre automatic weapons. In theory it could hold a crew of 5 and had a maximum range of 300km (extended to 1500 with extra fuel loaded). More than a match for the trucks of the LRDG.


Designed in mid 1942 it was in service within a few months and proved to be an effective and popular vehicle. Some vehicles even saw service with the Fallschirmjäger-Division Hermann Göring after the Italian Armistice. They continued in use throughout '44 and '45 as reconnaissance vehicles on the Eastern Front, in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Some feature additional crew
Right time to be cheeky. Five vehicles should net me 10 points but there are also four crew (2 Breda gunners and two standing crewmen) inside for an additional two points. Even I'm not brazen enough to claim for the five drivers as these are cast as just head and shoulders and hardly count as separate figures.


More nice additions to your Italian force for the North Africa campaign. That's another 10 points in the bag Lee.

13 comments:

  1. Really nice vehicles again Lee. What materials and colours do you use on your basing?

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  2. More corking 1:285 goodness from you Lee. Fantastic. I know I've said this before, but I really like how you've labeled this collection.

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  3. Grand work, Lee! I am a huge fan of your North African forces. You must be able to host an impressive game of it now! ;)

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  4. Fantastic, the detail is brilliant.

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  5. Great stuff. I know next to nothing about Italian recon in the desert but these will be a clear place to start.

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  6. You nail these Lee, great work in all aspects

    Ian

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  7. Cracking looking figures Sir!

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  8. Sometimes, the Italian Army got it right! Very sensibly-designed vehicles, superbly rendered. well done!

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  9. Amazing! Didn't know there's so much detail to pick out in 6mm.

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  10. Lovely work Lee. One of my favourite vehicles from the period.

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