1/50 MFE Ebro 3, 1936

[rockpaperscissor]

I began this model in early 2019 and set it aside when it was about 80% completed. I can't remember why, but my attention was probably diverted by some other bit of modeling eye candy. I made a failed New Year's resolution in 2020 to finish it that year and finally, after another extended delay, it is done. The original 1/72 kit designed by Jesus M. Lopex Bea has been redrawn, recolored, and resized to 1/50, my favorite armor scale.

This Spanish Civil War armored truck was used by the Nationalist Forces (Franco), and was built by Ebro, a manufacturer of light and medium duty trucks. It was armed with a single Hotchkiss 7mm machine gun in a rotating turret. Additional firepower could be provided by the occupants through gun ports along each side. Information is sketchy, but I believe this is a prototype, with only one example being built. Most images (and a video) of the vehicle are from 1936, but there is one mislabeled color photo from 1937 in which a headlight has been added to the right fender, and the number 55 in red painted on the side.

I have now completed 5 of Sr. Bea's SCW model kits which can be downloaded at Landships II Landships II Unfortunately, the parts pages are low resolution, but despite that shortcoming, they build up into very attractive models.

[Texman]

Excellent Don!

[Tapcho]

Fine wrk! Did it have an medieval kinda skirt or am I interpeting the pictures wrong? If so, I've never seen such a solution to protect tyres.

Tappi

[Tom Lapinski]

Nice looking build.

[rmks2000]

Cool little model Don

[rockpaperscissor]

Many thanks for your comments, gents. Yes Tappi, your interpretation is correct. The chain curtain or skirt was commonly employed during the Spanish Civil War. This period photo of the Ebro type 3 shows it quite clearly.

[Erik Zwaan]

What a neat build! Like it very much.

Cheers,
Erik

[Kazziga]

Well done! I am sure Sr. Bea would have nothing against your recolors of his kits being made available for download at Landships II.

[rockpaperscissor]

Thanks much, Erik. I'll have to see what Charlie has to say about recolors of Sr Bea's models.

[AgaPablo]

Nice build Don, congratulations!
Regarding the medieval outlook, the chain skirts are much in line with the cudgels wielded by its crew!