1/72 20mm Vehicle advice

[Kikuchiyo]

I'm finding myself rather lost in all the offerings.

I'm looking for a few German vehicles and can't decide on what's avaliable.

I'm after vehicles that fit the southern europe last war theatre

Halftrack, Opel for troop transports and I assum Panzer 4's and the odd Stug would fit the period too?

With that in mind what fits AB, Cp models and Alder/PSC scale wise, Having read numerous comments about scale I 'm rather confused

[Just a few orcs]

Most but not all of the old Airfix and matchbox kits are 1/76 a few are 1/72. PSC are all 1/72 (Excluding the 15mm ones obviously)

For the theatre  your looking at I would stick with PSC . They are nice kits, go together quickly and well. I think they produce all you need. Some kits like the Stuart and the German trucks  can make double the vehicles with a bit of scratch building. Search on line for Ideas. 

If you only want single vehicles just but the "reinforcement sprues" Instructions are all to be found online if you do this.

[Gunner Dunbar]

It’s a bit of an open question, are you asking what vehicles were used in that theatre? Or what models are available? Or both? Also what type of models are you asking about? Quick builds? Full plastic models? 1 or 2 piece resin/metal wargaming pieces? As far as scale, there are 2 scales, 1/72 or 1/76, why is a long story, many mix the 2 scales, purists will stick to one scale, 1/76 is slightly smaller.
If your looking for plastic quick builds, PSC are a good start, most have 3 vehicles to a box, and the6 cover all the vehicles you mentioned, if your after full kits, Dragon, Um, Acadamy, trumpeter etc will cover your options, but they take longer and more skill to build. If your looking for quick and fast, have a look at diecast vehicles, more expensive but they come built and painted, easy model, dragon, there’s a couple of brands out there.

[Kikuchiyo]

It’s a bit of an open question, are you asking what vehicles were used in that theatre? Or what models are available? Or both? Also what type of models are you asking about? Quick builds? Full plastic models? 1 or 2 piece resin/metal wargaming pieces?

Yes, that's what I'm asking

Seriously though what I'm looking for it the correct variants of the above vehicles mentioned for the above as I'm quite lost.

I don't mind kits but equally a quick build works as long as they are reasonably accurate, wouldn't pass up a decent resin kit either but would probably avoid metal

172 is probably they scale I'm after. but I've read that some vehicles scale differently between manufactures, I'd rather avoid anything that stands out as odd

[Gunner Dunbar]

OK, the Italian campaign ran from July 43 (when Italy withdrew from the war) to May 45, so you’re vehicle should be appropriate for that period, early in the campaign you’d be looking at long barrelled PzIIIs, and Pz IVs, then Pz IV, Tigers, and Panthers, Stug III Gs for the whole campaign, PSCis you best bet, a couple of site to help research what kits are available, on the way, and Henk of holland
https://www.onthewaymodels.com/kitlists/manufacturers.htm
https://henk.fox3000.com/index2.htm

[Kikuchiyo]

Thanks that's helpful, any variants to avoid?

[Kikuchiyo]

Anyone have an opinion on Grubby Tanks stuff, I've been offered a couple, would they 'fit' with psc vehicles or would I need to stick to one line?

[Just a few orcs]

I would not mix Grubby stuff and PSC in the same platoon, as the vehicles are 1/76.  But using a grubby Churcille crocodile, on the same table as PSC Churchills looks fine.

Also take a look at Frontline models, they do some nice 20mm stuff

[Kikuchiyo]

Still going round in circles with minis and haven't taken the plunge  for some reason, I'm drawn more towards the resin stuff over plastic

[Ceeteegee]

I'd give some consideration to 3d prints if you're starting from scratch. I have a few 15mm resin vehicles, and they are very nice models, are accurate enough, and are all of a scale.
They go together well with my Battlefront and QRF models, and I can always add Battlefront and PSC crew, commanders and stowage to the basic model.
And they require little in the way of prep work. In fact, with some of the better producers not very much prep work at all.
There're all the mainstream vehicles you'll need and if you fancy something a little more esoteric*, perhaps a Semovente 90/53, they're all available.
I presume the Germans in Italy would have used Italian vehicles, especially soft-skins and Semovente assault guns. And these would also add character and place your models firmly in theatre.
* I have a 21st Panzer project on the go. My little metal men now ride in Laffly recce cars and have Somua halftracks to tow their guns.

[bluewillow]

Still going round in circles with minis and haven't taken the plunge  for some reason, I'm drawn more towards the resin stuff over plastic

The “ready to roll” resin range is fabulous  for getting kit on the table that is for sure, the “frontline” models are basic but work.

Personally I use a mix of plastic and resin vehicles and increasingly 3d printed resin.

Cheers
Matt

[Kikuchiyo]

Ready to roll look great, not sue how they scale with the britania/grubby stuff though?