Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $ 69.98 Review Kit Supplied by Stevens International: www.stevenshobby.com . Introduction This review represents two firsts for me: my first review for the IPMS/USA Review Corps, and my first Bronco kit. I must admit that for me at least this particular vehicle is not an attractive subject, but is an interesting subject. I feel that Bronco should be commended for kitting this unusual vehicle; after all we can build just so many Panthers, Tigers and Sherman's (and that statement is not intended to offend anyone). One must cleanse the pallet when one can. Also, I am a big fan of the Internet as a great source of information on most topics. I undertook a Google images search (CV3/35) and was rewarded with a wealth of information from several modeling websites, as well at several international sites that included black and white images of this vehicle. All very useful information when painting and detailing. Research never hurts. History The L3/35 was developed from imported British Carden-Lloyd Mark VIs (designated CV29 in Italian service, CV stood for Carro Veloce, "fast tank"). It was built as the CV-33 in 1933, but was retrofitted as the CV-35 in 1935 and renamed the L3/35 in 1938. The L3/35 was a lightly armored two-man vehicle typically armed with two tandem machine guns. The differences between the L3/33 and the L3/35 were not many. About 2500 L3 tankettes were built in different models and variants. The L3s tankettes were sold to Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, and Nationalist Spain. The Italians developed a hooded long barrel flamethrower in place of the MG to L3/33 and L3/35 with a towed 110 gallon/500 liter fuel trailer. One platoon in each Italian tank company was equipped with the L3 Lf in North Africa. The Kit The packaging--the kit box is about 9-1/2" wide by 15" long, and is 2" deep. The box top artwork depicts a vehicle stationed in North Africa, 1941, engaged in a battle with other vehicles and includes in a blurred background much flames and smoke. This is a rather stunning depiction of a relatively unknown vehicle (to me at least). (Insert image of the instructions) Instruction--The instructions are in a booklet form, 15 pages in all, all on glossy stock. The subsequent instruction pages address the various sub-assemblies showing the work in clear, exploded view diagrams. My initial reaction is that the various steps are clear and should be quite easy to follow..

Page 1 covers the "correct method for applying decals", various icon instructions, paint color suggestions (Gunze Sangyo, Hobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya). There are no FS color reference numbers, and not all colors suggested are available from the noted paint manufacturers. Page 2 shows the various sprue trees, the clear parts, the small photo-etch fret, and a small vinyl part representing the connector hose between the tankette and the fuel storage trailer tank. Pages 3 through 6 address the interior construction, which includes the crew compartment and the engine. There are some incredibly small parts involved in these stages of the assembly, so much care will be required when removing these parts from the tree and the subsequent installation on the model. Pages 7 - 9 cover the running gear and hull assembly. Again, there are many parts involved in the running gear, and the builder gets to do it for each side. The engine hatches are separate parts and may be posed open, which is great feature as the tiny engine assembly literally screams to be seen. Page 10 addresses the installation of the length and link tracks, and the construction of the hull crew compartment. Page 11 details the assembly and installation of the armament, and finishing details for the hull. Also the flame thrower fuel supply tank trailer base assembly is shown. Pages 12 and 13 shows the finishing details for the trailer, and how to attach the trailer to the tankette.Page 14 and the back pages depict two different vehicle. The first is from the 32nd tank regiment, North Africa 1940-41, and the second is from the May 1937 military exercise in Rome. A third vehicle from the North African theater is shown on the box art. Each vehicle has a different camouflage pattern: something for most everyone.

Sprues and packaging--every tree is enclosed in sealed, clear plastic bags. The following observations were made with the parts still enclosed in the clear packaging, so once the build is underway my comments may require some amending. The plastic is a tan color, and there are approximately 300 parts, with 12 noted in the instructions as not being used in this kit's construction. Molding appears to be crisp, with many parts showing good detail. I could detect no flash on any part. The many rivets appear to be to scale. None of the trees are marked with an identifying letter such as may be found on typical Tamiya or Dragon kits. The Breda machine gun barrel is slide-molded, and therefore there is no need to drill out the barrel ends. . The fuel tank trailer tires have raised lettering that will certainly benefit from subtle dry brushing during the finishing stages. Clear parts-- the clear parts are limited to the two head lamps. Resin parts--there are no resin parts included, but rather a short length of vinyl hose with a very fine corrugated surface is provided. Photo etch--There is a small fret of photo etched parts, and none appear to require folding or bending. They all appear to be fixed onto flat surfaces. Decals--the decal sheet is about 1 ¾" square, and the various vehicles appears to have few markings. The Clear parts, vinyl hose, decals and photo etch fret are all packaged in a common zip-lock bag. The PE fret in this kit was slightly bowed, but did not appear to present a problem later in the construction phase. Initial impressions The finished model will certainly be small! Really, really small. The hull bottom measures 3" in length, by 1" in width. Some of the detail parts are incredibly small, and may pose a challenge when being removed from the sprue trees, and installing in the proper locations. The sprue attachment points are for the most part strategically located, but will require some clean up with a sanding stick. Ejector pin marks are present, and some (underside of the fenders) will need to be addressed, but………….the engine compartment hatches have no marks on either surface!! How that was accomplished I cannot say, but am grateful for that bonus. The hull sides interior surfaces have some rather large sprue stubs that will require removal. Why these are present on the inner surface is a bit of a mystery? Although I normally do not build dioramas, this build does appear to merit a suitable base for a proper display of the finished work. My thanks to Laura Carney and Mike Bass at Stevens International for the review sample. Now, on to the build in part 2.