In a time when many kit manufacturers have been throwing in a lot of extra goodies, Tamiya updates its 1970s Italian medium tank with link-and-length tracks, a turned-metal barrel, photoetched-metal parts, and figures. Tamiya's M13/40 kit has always featured superior fit, but the newly included details make a big difference.
I was surprised at the number of parts - Tamiya sure packed a lot into this box! Crisply molded in tan plastic, the parts are smooth and feature recessed and raised detail. The eight-step directions include a brief history of the M13, helpful tool recommendations, and a detailed paint guide. The latter is for Tamiya colors only.
The decal sheet is small but provides three different markings: two for North African service, and another for a captured carro armato in Australian service. (Nice kangaroos!) I chose the 132nd Ariete Armored Division of the Italian Army.
Although the fit is superb, wheel assembly will take up most of your build time. There is a slight mold seam on the leaf springs to remove before the wheels are installed.
Building the suspension is simple enough; check wheel alignment to make track assembly easier. This is the trickiest part of the project, though Tamiya's instructions make it as easy as possible. The link-and-length tracks pose no problems and produce realistic sagging, but correctly locating those sags requires you to follow the directions closely. Be careful of parts orientation and take your time.
Assembling the fighting compartment, be sure you have the sides lined up correctly or you'll have fit problems. (I mounted the machine gun later to avoid breaking off its photoetched-metal sight.) Turret parts fit well, although I had to squeeze the top and bottom (parts C15 and C18) together.
Attaching parts to the upper hull was a breeze, with no fit problems or gaps, and the fighting compartment fits nicely. Next came stowage boxes and tools. Directions are unclear on the placement of the stowage boxes and exhaust cans; test-fit to ensure you have them right. I added the exhaust cans and tools after painting. Turret installation was trouble-free. I was disappointed with the solid-molded headlight; a clear lens would have really stood out.
Using the kit's seated figure, I left the hatch open; otherwise, you will want them closed. The turned-metal barrel fit fine.
I painted my M13/40 with Testors Model Master Afrika grunbraun 41 and olivgrun RLM 80 according to the box art, spraying the entire model tan, then freehanding the green splotches as indicated in the painting guide. A gloss coat prepped the model for decals, which were nice and thin and went down tight with a coat of Micro Sol. I followed with a flat clear coat, then stowed jerry cans, shovels, the tow rope, etc. A burnt umber wash weathered the tow rope.
Powdered pastels dirtied the tank up a little, and touches of silver replicated wear on steps, walkways, and other well-worn surfaces.
My M13/40 took about 10 hours, about half of which was spent on wheels and tracks. The easy fits make this an enjoyable build. If you've built a tank or two, you should have no problem building a good-looking model of this Italian tank.
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