Italian AB 40 Autoblinda Ferroviaria

Plastic kit for an Italian armored reconnaissance vehicle Autoblinda AB 40 Ferroviaria

• Scale 1:35
• Metal springs, metal and photo-etched parts included
• Rail track parts included
• 4 marking options
  • 1943, Italian Army, Balkans
  • 1942, Italian Army, Balkans
  • 1943, German Wehrmacht, Balkans
  • 1943, German Wehrmacht, Balkans
• not built, not painted
• Paint and glue not included

The Autoblinda AB40 Ferroviaria was a variant of the Italian AB40 reconnaissance vehicle that was specially converted for use on railway lines. It was designed to secure important railway lines in Italian-controlled areas, particularly in the Balkans, against acts of sabotage and partisan attacks. For this purpose, the normal road wheels were replaced by railway wheels, allowing the vehicle to travel directly on rails.

The basis was the AB40, the first version of the successful Autoblinda family. She was armed with two 8mm Breda machine guns in the turret and another machine gun in the rear. Due to its high speed and the ability to travel at almost the same speed in both directions, the Ferroviaria version was particularly suitable for patrol and security tasks along extensive railway routes. Around twelve vehicles were converted for this purpose and used primarily in the former Yugoslavia.

The AB40 Ferroviaria only remained in use in small numbers, as the basic AB40 version was replaced early on by the more powerfully armed AB41. Nevertheless, it represents an interesting special version of the Italian Autoblinda family and illustrates the efforts of the Italian armed forces to flexibly use armored wheeled vehicles to secure strategically important transport routes.