“Panzerspahwagen” AB 43 203(i) (“AutoBlinda” 43) – the Italian/ German armored car

“Autoblinda” AB 40/41/43 - Italian armored cars of World War II. The first prototypes of the AB 40 version were produced in 1939; serial produced in 1940-1943. A total of about 550 AB 40/41/43 series cars were produced. The “Autoblinda” AB 40 was powered by a single 80 hp “SPA Abm” gasoline engine. The car was armed with 3 “Breda” mod. 38 cal. 8 mm machine guns. The “Autoblinda“ AB 40 was developed in response to the Italian army's need to purchase new armored cars. The “SPA” and “Ansaldo” companies, which received a contract for the production of new combat vehicles, used many technical innovations, that had not been used in the Italian army before: first of all, all-wheel drive, the ability to steer each wheel, armored steering posts at the front and rear of the car, as well, as raising and lowering the middle wheels, while the car was moving. During serial production, three versions of the “Autoblinda” cars were produced. The first was the AB 40., the second was the AB 41 version with a more powerful 120 h. p. engine and armament consisting of a “Breda” mod. 35 cal. 20 mm cannon and 2 machine guns. The last version, created in 1943, shortly before the Italian capitulation, was the AB 43, armed with a 47 mm cannon, 2 machine guns, and also had thicker armor. The "Autoblinda" series of armored cars was used intensively by the Italian army in 1940–1943, especially during the battles in North Africa (1940–1943) and Sicily in 1943. After the capitulation, most of the "Autoblinda" AB 43 were taken over by the German armed forces, where they were designated “Panzerspahwagen” AB 43 203(i). 

A small, well-designed and quite richly detailed model for medium-experienced and experienced modelers. The model is without interior equipment and engine compartment detailing, but with a perfectly restored chassis, armament, exterior detailing, and a beautiful and somewhat strange camouflage of the German Wehrmacht's 4th Mountain Division from 1944. The textual instructions are not the largest, but quite detailed in Polish and English, the graphic ones are also considerable, well-drawn, informative and easy to read. There is a considerable reserve of colors, even a piece of camouflage. For those, who want to make a model with interior equipment, You can use the interior details of the previously released "Autoblinda" AB 40 model by "WAK" publishing house, which are almost identical to the AB 43 (only the cannon mount differs).