Tamiya

1/35 Semovente M40 Self-Propelled Gun

Kit Number: 35294

Reviewed by  Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

MSRP: $43.00 Website: www.tamiyausa.com I would like to thank Tamiya for submitting this model to IPMS for review and IPMS for allowing me to review it. HISTORY In 1940 a Colonel Berlese suggested the Italian Army build a vehicle similar to the German StuG III, which the Germans had successfully used in the French campaign. Ansaldo Industries proposed a model mounting the 75/18 (barrel of 75mm diameter and 18 times the 75mm in length) mountain howitzer on the M13/40 tank hull (M=medium, 13 tons introduced in 1940). In addition to the 75mm gun, an 8mm Breda Model 38 or a 6.5mm Breda Model 30 machine gun was also installed. In early 1941 an order of 60 M40 self-propelled guns was placed. The design was simple, but the vehicle had good performances and made use of the existing production facilities. Trials proved successful and an additional 120 units were built mostly on the improved M41 frame. The riveted hull construction was similar to that of Italy's main tank the Carro Armato M13/40. It had 50mm thick frontal armor to protect its 3-man crew of driver, gunner, and tank commander. It was powered by a 125 horsepower diesel V-8 engine which propelled the 13 ton vehicle to a top speed of about 21 mph with a range of 90-95 miles. The M40 self-propelled gun was deployed in North African in late 1941 and first saw action in early 1942. It was successful as an infantry support weapon and an anti-tank vehicle. The Semovente M40 was considered the best Italian armored vehicle in North Africa. The vehicle I chose to model was in the Ariete Armored Division, North Africa, 1942. Some experts report that this was probably the most notable of all Italian armored divisions. THE KIT The kit is in an 11-1/3"X7-1/2"X2-1/4" cellophane wrapped box. Upon opening the box, I found approximately 206 parts in a yellow/brown color on 7 sprues and 3 loose pieces. The moldings are sharp and crisp. A few parts are not used depending on the vehicle you build and how much add-on equipment you use. Included on the sprues are enough human "body parts" to make 4 figures. There is also a photo-etched sheet containing 11 small pieces. The decal sheet contains few decals for the 3 different vehicles. The instructions are on a folded sheet containing 8 construction steps along with painting/decaling instructions. The assembly steps are depicted in the exploded view format and are very clear and well marked. The paint call-outs refer to Tamiya paints.

CONSTRUCTION Step 1 calls for the construction of the wheels and 4 suspension units. There is nothing unusual or difficult here. Next comes the placement of cockpit components in the hull and installing the suspension units, idler wheels, sprockets and return rollers to the hull. The drive sprocket and idler wheels are mounted using poly caps. Do not forget to paint the hulls interior before adding the cockpit parts. In Step 3 the tracks are placed. The link-and-length tracks are crisply molded and fit very well and are easy to install. Each track is made up of 13 sections that glue to each other. These form around the sprockets and idlers quite nicely. The top and bottom sections are the longest. The top section takes on a bit of sag over the return wheels. The completed tracks present a rather nice look. The cannon and fighting compartment are assembled next and placed on the hull. The gun uses a gimbaled type of mounting and has limited vertical and horizontal movement. Do not forget to paint and install the driver before placing the fighting compartment.

Steps 6, 7, and 8 call for placing the various pieces of outside equipment. The few small photo etched pieces are added at this time. The 2 hatch doors can be installed in the opened or closed position as can the driver's port hole. The kit provides sand bags, jerry cans, and extra sections of track that can be placed on the exterior as you see fit. The military figures are assembled, painted and decals of rank added at this point. RECOMMENDATION This kit is a re-release of Tamiya's limited production Semovente M40-75/18 kit (item 35078). The old kit has been updated using new suspension parts, injection-molded link-and-length tracks, photo-etched metal detail parts, new tools, and other details. The results are a kit that is easy to build and contains a little more detail. I had no problems with the build at any point. Because it went together so quickly and the parts fit so snugly, it is easy to recommend this kit to anyone. I enjoyed building this kit and I learned a little something about Italian armor in the process. Again, I would like to thank Tamiya for providing this kit and IIPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.

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