herrmill

Hey Jerry & Rex, this one's for you. I came across on Taobao what looks like a modern version of an Italian MIAS (Mitragliatrice d'Assalto).

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=17465620127

Add a little styrene after some creative cutting, fiddle with the wheels & you've got yourself a desk runner that's controlled by smartphone or tablet.

Rex Ross

Why does that thing have so many tools on it? Heck, if that thing got stuck you could pick it up and carry it!!!!

borealis

In late 30s in Italy there was a strange urge to build smaller and smaller AFVs. Look also at the italian CV (Carro Veloce) series...



Mussolini had better going into the scale RC tank market instead invading Africa...

herrmill

Agreed. Mussolini would have best served if he had left those toys in Ethiopia. Heck, even the French had no trouble driving back his first assault on 23 June once they got entangled in barbed wire. That said, they certainly were easy to transport to the battlefield.

borealis

Im'sure that when seeing a modern 1/4 scale RC king tiger, he would have put a driver in there and a real 20mm gun, before sending it to hold the line on the Don river in Soviet Union...

herrmill

Dang it just hit me! So THAT'S where Fiat came up with the idea for my old X1/9!

I wonder if those old light tanks rusted as badly as my first & only Italian sports car did?

Tanque

I like it!

Jerry

herrmill

My guess is it had something to do with this monster.

borealis

@Hermill: rusted Fiat cars was the norm until late 80's. The original '500' car used to lose the floor for rust wear. After that, you gained a jurassic car as in 'The Flinstones', one allowing you to use feet propulsion.

Anyway, the style of this beast is really 'steampunk'.
It would look cool in Warhammer 40k.

As I told before, Mussolini had better follow the toy-factory way...

herrmill

Agreed! I had a '78 model & I think it started rusting on the showroom floor. Have to say, it was a blast to drive on the switchbacks & ridge roads surrounding my hometown & it was quite the chick magnet compared to the 4-wheel drive pick-me-up trucks & muscle cars that filled the school parking lot. Unfortunately, there wasn't much maneuvering room on the inside. [:@]

Yes, el Duce should have stayed with toy production instead of trying to use these in combat.

borealis

Yeah, the central engine did have some drawbacks...no room on the backseat!

However, those were the times when italian car design was at its best, with Bertone, Giugiaro and so many less-known but great coach makers.
A well-preserved X1/9 still has many estimators on the collectors' market.

A well-preserved CV33 might receive a Tamiya battle system and 3:1 gearboxes, instead

Rex Ross

This thread has reminded me of a 1961 Fiat 2300 sedan that I bought for $200 in the early 1970's. It drove like a tank, burned/leaked oil like a tank, and smoked like a tank..........I would prefer to forget about that car.
Rex

Tanque

Let's hope that Fiat's re-entrance to the US market will be a better showing. The updated Fiat 500 and the much anticipated ( among certain enthusiasts ) Fiat 500 " Abarth" are Fiat's latest
offerings here. We need something other than Korean and Japanese blandness in the sub compact here in the States.

Jerry

herrmill

Agreed. Have seen the new 500 appearing here & it seems like a solid car. Haven't driven one yet but I'd prefer that over a Austin Mini any day.

Hey Rex, I had my share of MGs & Triumphs as well so wanna switch over to the British side?

Rex Ross

~~~~~~~~~~

I still have a 1973 Jensen Healey in my garage that I got in 1983. I start it once a month and drive it around the block once a year. I did own another Italian vehicle that was the joy of my life.......great fun........It was a Ducati 450 Jupiter modified into a trials bike.