IBG Models M13/40 Build in 1/72 Scale

This is the 2023 IBG kit of the Fiat M13/40, the vehicle you most likely think of when you hear “Italian tank”. The M13/40 has been well represented in kit form over the years but this kit has the potential to be the new king of the hill.

The kit is not overly complex but there are a number of minute parts so you’ll need some care and a good set of tweezers to get this one together. The molding is outstanding with sharp details and no flash.

My favorite part of this kit is the tracks. The tracks are molded as a single continuous run with several additional components molded in, one then adds details of the running gear to complete the assembly. IMHO this is the optimum way to engineer tracks in the One True Scale provided the prototype’s design will facilitate it.

The hull builds up quickly, but the instructions are a little vague as to just how the three pieces of the upper hull are meant to go together and I didn’t get mine to fit just right.

Here is the hull with the detail parts added and the turret assembled. The turret hatches can be posed open but I lacked a suitable figure. The machine gun was not always seen fitted to the M13/40 but this is a beautifully molded piece so I will add it after painting.

Here I have replaced the grab bar on the hatch with wire and put a swipe of Perfect Plastic Putty into the seam at the hull by the driver’s position. There is a small PE fret which has the boarding steps which hung over the tracks on the sides which I will save for the end of construction.

I sprayed the model with thinned RLM Sand Yellow straight out of the bottle and then added thin layers mixed with 50% white to the center of the panels to modulate the tone. Easier to see in person than in the photo but I was pleased with the effect.

Here is the model after painting the detail parts and tracks. The model was then shot with Future to gloss it up in preparation for decals and weathering. The white recognition marking on the turret top is a decal, it snugged down really well with a little Solvaset.

The finished model when all was done. I gave it a thin black wash to make the details pop, then added some silver and dark brown wear to appropriate areas. I mixed in a few drops of light tan to the flat coat to simulate dust and bring the finish together. This was a fun build and I’m happy with how it turned out, a great little pallet cleanser!

Finished photos here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/ibg-models-italian-m13-40-tank-in-1-72-scale/