Hotchkiss H35/39 and FIAT /Ansaldo L3/33 tankette

[gnomemeansgnome]

Two nice little quick build wargaming armour kits by S-Model of China. I picked them up at this year's IPMS Vancouver show. Two kits to a box, with nice detail and decals that behaved themselves. Wasn't crazy about the photo etch tow eyes and hooks and pioneer tools for the H35 that could just as easily been done in plastic. All I managed to get on there was the rear view mirror and bolt cutters. I finished it as a vehicle used by the Israeli Army during the 1948 War. The tankette is probably the smallest OOB model I think I have ever done.

[iggie]

They are both delightful, and look to be really well done.
I assume that as war-gaming models they are to an odd scale?

[gnomemeansgnome]

Not at all, Iggie. I guess I forgot to mention that they are in 1:72 and scalewise are right down my alley. I had been hunting for an H35 in that scale and came across the FIAT as well.

[PTB11]

Two little gems!

[gnomemeansgnome]

I know, right? I like them a lot as well, though as I said I am not a fan of the photo etch parts.

[ShaunW]

Nicely done and I'm not sure I've ever built such a tiny AFV as that tankette! In my opinion PE is not always the be all and end all that it is made out to be, sometimes I find the parts to be ridiculously tiny and almost impossible to handle and sometimes the PE offers a flat profile for a particular part when round is required.

[gnomemeansgnome]

Agreed 100% Shaun. That said, I am totally buying more of these kits. And yeah, I have come to the conclusion that the word 'tankette' is long form for two motorbikes bolted together and given tracks and just enough armour plate to maybe keep out small arms fire.

[Dazzled]

Agreed 100% Shaun. That said, I am totally buying more of these kits. And yeah, I have come to the conclusion that the word 'tankette' is long form for two motorbikes bolted together and given tracks and just enough armour plate to maybe keep out small arms fire.

Nice little tank GMG.

Just make sure the carpet monster doesn't eat it

[gnomemeansgnome]

Ha ha ha ha! All good here, as I have had wall to wall laminate flooring here at the Nick Cave for over a decade.

[celt]

A pair of mini marvels.

[gnomemeansgnome]

Indeed they are, sir. Thanks.