Vargas Models, a prolific maker of extraordinary resin, 3-D printed, limited-run armor models is back with another unusual subject; the Fiat 2000 Carro Armata or ‘heavy tank’. The Fiat 2000 was Italy’s first tank ever developed, with the first prototype displayed in mid-1917, and the final production prototype unveiled the following year.

The FIAT 2000 was a substantial vehicle, of comparable dimensions to the British Mark V tanks, and weighing 40 tons as compared to the Mark V's 28 tons, making it ‘technically’ the heaviest tank of World War I, although it never saw combat.

This is volume 36 from the TankCraft series. The contents consist of an Introduction and nine sections. The introduction is a small history of the Panzer III, as well as the number shipped to North Africa and their unit numbers. The next section introduces us to the initial operations of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK). We are presented with the Order of Battle of the DAK as of March/April, 1941.The section ends with a map showing the area of operations of the DAK, as well as month by month events starting in January, 1941 and ending in November, 1942. The book follows with 20 profiles of vehicles used by the unit and their camouflage.

Since their founding in 2013, their mission has been to share the knowledge accumulated by Mig Jimenez, the founder of AMMO by Mig Jimenez, and the experience of AMMO's entire team of modelers, with the modeling community around the world. At AMMO by Mig Jimenez, they have a unique identity as the Weathering brand in the modeling sector, thanks to the fact that they are a company founded entirely by modelers. That passion for the hobby is reflected in all their products which always try to provide the best solutions for modelers. With 90% of their products manufactured in Spain, with high quality control and complying with all European standards, they offer the quality and safety that modelers demand for their projects. Additional books in this series include: Waffen SS Colors; Eastern Front – Russian Vehicles 1935-1945; and Sherman – The American Miracle.

About the Subject (from Wikipedia)

“A German World War II super-heavy tank completed in late 1944. It is the heaviest fully enclosed armored fighting vehicle ever built. Five were ordered, but only two hulls and one turret were completed, the turret being attached before the testing grounds were captured by advancing Soviet military forces.

he principal problem in the design of the Maus was developing an engine and drivetrain which was powerful enough to adequately propel the tank, yet small enough to fit inside it. The Maus was too heavy to cross bridges. As a result, an alternative system was developed, where the Maus would instead ford the rivers it needed to cross.

A new release from prolific AMMO by Mig Jimenez, is this three-color acrylic paint set labeled for the three tone NATO camouflage. The paint comes in 17ml plastic bottles, complete with a stirring ball, in a clear plastic clamshell box. While the paints can be procured individually, the three major colors are included (and most likely cheaper than buying them individually). The following paints are included:

• AMMO 0046 Matt Black
• AMMO 0084 NATO Green
• AMMO 0085 NATO Brown

I am a fan of AMMO acrylic paints and am very impressed with this paint set. While advanced modelers and painters can mix their own colors, basic modelers like myself prefer the easy off-the-shelf solution provided in this set. With the plethora of NATO vehicles wearing the NATO three tone camouflage since the 1980s, there are numerous vehicles waiting to be painted with this easy-to-use solution. The paints are also odorless and non-toxic.