Italeri New Releases
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
1/72 F-5E/N Tiger II
Swift Swiss strikers
Where other fighters might boast of being the biggest, the fastest, or the most heavily armed, it is arguably the F-5 which is the best fighter in the world arsenal. It boasts incredibly low operating costs, low maintenance needs, high operational availability, and the speed and lethality necessary to make it a significant threat to aircraft three decades its junior. All those advantages and more make it the fighter of choice for the Swiss Air Force and their aerobatic team.
Kit Features:
Decals for four versions
Length: 7.9 in (200 mm)
Skill Level: 2
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS1363
Retail Price $22.99
1/72 WWII American Infantry
Roll on with "Big Red One"
Sent into North Africa as part of Operation Torch in early 1943, the US First Infantry Division would subsequently participate in the invasion of Sicily, the Normandy landings, and eventually the invasion of Germany itself. The division was nearly continuously embroiled in combat for two years, suffering nearly 20,000 casualties. In the end, it wasn't the M1 Garand, or the BAR, or the bazooka that won the war. It was the grim resolve with which the infantry fought on.
Kit Features:
50 Infantry figures in varying poses and equipped with period weaponry.
Total Figures: 50
Skill Level: 1
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS6046
Retail Price $12.99
1/35 US Infantry on Board
One bumpy ride
It's June 6th, 1944. Shells are roaring overhead, bomb bursts are echoing across the water, and machine guns are chattering death, but all you can think about is trying to keep breakfast down. Wonks up the line have been talking up the Higgins. Frankly, they can keep this chunk of plywood you're bouncing around in, turning greener by the second. One of the Navy boys shouts. His voice gets lost in the tumult, but he can only be saying one thing. Almost time to go.
Kit Features:
Infantry figures specialized for fitting aboard a LSA.
Skill Level: 1
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS6522
Retail Price $34.99
1/35 Elco 80' PT Boat Crew
Toughest crewmen of the US Navy
Service aboard any US Navy warship during WWII was dangerous, but the crews of PT boats were vulnerable to considerably more threats than most. Friendly fire, larger and more heavily armed enemy ships, and the uncomfortable tendency of the aviation gas for PT boat engines to explode when damaged made shipping out in a PT boat rather risky. In return, the PT boat enabled the USN to inflict drastic, disproportionate losses on Japanese supply vessels. Your PT boat won't go anywhere without crewmen gutsy enough to sail her. Luckily, we've got ten right here!
Kit Features:
Ten crew figures molded in action poses with period gear.
Total Figures: 10
Skill Level: 2
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS5606
Retail Price $27.99
1/35 Schnellboot Crew
Daring sailors of der Deutsche Kriegsmarine
All throughout WWII the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) was heavily outnumbered by the combined fleets of Britain and the United States. The efforts of the U-boats in correcting this imbalance are famous, yet the humble Schnellboot (fast boat) was also an important player in the war of the waves. These small, unarmored, and lightly armed craft were responsible for sinking around a hundred merchant vessels as well as numerous larger armed navy vessels. Their crews were known for their intrepidity. Get the guys to crew your Schnellboot and rule the waves!
Kit Features:
Ten crew figures molded in action poses with period gear.
Total Figures: 10
Skill Level: 2
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS5607
Retail Price $27.99
1/35 Panzer Kampfwagen I Ausf.B
Training for the coming terror
Equipped with thin armor and an extremely light armament of two low-caliber machine guns, the Panzer I was far behind the tank designs of Germany's neighbors. However, it was a necessary step towards the later development of Nazi Germany's elite tank forces. Despite its drawbacks, the Panzer I saw service in most of the fronts Germany fought on. Continuous improvements, modifications, and role changes extended the service life of the design far past the initial training role envisioned for it.
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS6523
Retail Price $39.99
1/56 WWII Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma
The ultimate in 'hit and get'
As the treads of the mighty panzers ground all of Europe beneath earth-shaking treads, the lightly armed, extremely fast Puma allowed German commanders to quickly scout terrain in advance of their columns. The Puma was designed with sufficient armor to resist small arms fire, a 50 mm gun to take out light targets, and an extra rear-facing driver's compartment to get away from hard targets quick. Though the vehicles were formidable, very few were produced. Get your Puma armored recon vehicle which features an included tanker figure and get going!
Kit Features:
Included tanker figure.
Hard plastic mold perfect for war gaming.
Decals for two versions.
Length: 4.2 in (107mm)
Skill Level: 1
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS5653
Retail Price $31.99
1/24 US Superliner
Home, home on the road
Representative of many of the large trucks plying the roads of the United States, this big rig is equipped with a powerful engine, large fuel tanks, and incredible personalized artwork. Every day these massive movers carry goods down hundreds of miles of road. The distances traveled are so great that the cabs need to be equipped with sleeper facilities and as many comforts as possible as the trucks become the driver's homes away from home.
Kit Features:
Unique, detailed decaling.
Length: 13.9 in (352 mm)
Skill Level: 5
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS3820
Retail Price $74.99
1/24 MAN F2000 6x4
Hauling Europe into the 21st century
The F2000 is an offspring of the F-90 series and was first introduced at the Hannover automobile Exhibition in September 1994. It immediately received the "Truck of the year 1995" award. Outstanding features of this truck are fuel efficiency, safety and reliability. The F2000 can be equipped with engines from 270 to 500 HP. The cabin can be supplied as normal or extended top version with various spoilers. Our model represents a 3-axle tractor version with a roomy sleeping cabin and many decorations.
Kit Features:
3-axle tractor version with roomy sleeping cabin.
Length: 10.8 in (274 mm)
Skill Level: 5
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS3901
Retail Price $79.99
1/12 FIAT Mefistofele 21,706 cc
Big, red speed demon
Designed by Ernest Eldridge, the FIAT Mefistofele was a standard car chassis equipped with an army surplus 6-cylinder, 320 PS, FIAT A.12 airplane engine. Eldridge drove the car to a new land speed record of 143mph in 1924. This was the last land speed record to be set on a public road and it set off a storm of automotive development. The characteristic shape of the Mefistofele—an engine with wheels—is an eye-catching marvel well deserving of a space on discerning collector's walls. Get yours today.
Kit Features:
Working steering
Detailed, accurate engine
Opening hood
Full decals
Length: 17.7 in (450 mm)
Parts: 500+
Skill Level: 5
Available: April
Stock Number ITAS4701
Retail Price $249.99
Visit the Italeri website for more information.