Figures for SCW Italian Troops

[Martin Smith]

Daft question of the day, from an SCW newbie....
Would the Italian troops in the PP WW2 ranges be suitable for the Italian 'volunteers' of the SCW?
If not, any suggestions?

[Sean Clark]

Personally,  I'd say yes. In my opinion there is not enough difference to notice on a 15mm figure. I suspect not a lot changed in the 4 or 5 years between the two wars.

If you do go for it, please post some pictures  for us to see!

[Colonel Kilgore]

I've bought an Italian force to double up as both SCW and WW2. So I'll be interested to see how yours turn out before I paint mine, Martin!

Simon

[Martin Smith]

Thanks guys....a tentative enquiry, before getting involved in (yet another..../...) one more project!! May be a fair while before I take the leap of faith.

[Panzer21]

Strictly speaking if you are a purest only from around 1938 when the M33 steel helmet became common.
Prior to that, the Italian version of the Adrian French steel helmet was worn by the Blackshirts who were the most common  units.
Littorio may have worn the M33 earlier, but most photos show Italians in Adrian or large blue beret.

If you are not a purest or want maximum use, then the WW2 figures are fine.

Obscure fact, the first uniforms issued to the CTV were apparently WW1 surplus colonial sand-brown colour.
Later, the green-grey and less commonly sand WW2 uniforms were worn.

Neil

[Lluis of Minairons]

I'd say 'yes' too.

As an aside note, Italian M33 helmets were also issued to Spanish Nationalist troops at some point - particularly among artillery crews and air force ground personnel.

And, for the sake of adding a little pepper to the stew, German Stahlhelm was also used by some Nationalist picked units, such as Franco's personal guard or the marine infantry regiment.

Once the war was over, a Spanish made copy of Stahlhelm was issued as standard for all the armed forces. I'm not 100% sure right now, but I believe it was named 'M1942'. This is the helmet I was given when doing my military service in mid-1980s (a period in my life to forget, so not any picture of it!).

Lluís