German / Italian Topolino 2025-01

[Edbert]

Great work BB!

This is new subject matter for me, why does one soldier have his hair coming through his helmet like a Samurai top-knot, and the other fellow have a Soviet SMG?

(I know I am wrong on both counts, just confused)

 

[BarleyBop]

Ha, the Bersaglieri liked to sport black cockerel feathers on their tropical and regular steel helmets... styrene doesn't do them justice.



And as for the gun, from the perforated barrel, a Mitra MAB M38A, with extended clip?

 

[Jakko]

Bersaglieri liked to sport black cockerel feathers

Still do:



Though as the video mentions, they're now artificial.

 

[Aya]

Hi Barley.
Just caught up, lovely job. Have enjoyed checking in and following your impressive modelling skills. Topolino looks great as do the crew. Well done sir.

 

[BarleyBop]

enjoyed

Thanks, little Topo started out as a small project and turned into something rather more involved... but fun!
Stay tuned for three more Italian vehicles from North Africa. (Including the British CMP I'm finishing up on another thread)

 

[BarleyBop]

video

Thanks for that! Didn't know that they carried on the tradition.

 

[Jakko]

I suspect @Andy the Sheep is able to tell us more about it

 

[John Waller]

Similar to Australian Armoured Corps with the Emu tuft in the slouch hat carryover from Light Horse WW1, (but not worn in combat)
Ex-soldiers preserve emu plume tradition on slouch hats to honour army history

 

[John Waller]

I meant to say also, fantastic little jewel job Brian. So much great detail and skilful modelling. Well done, looking forward to your next projects.

 

[BarleyBop]

little jewel

Thanks so much, started on it and promptly fell for little mouse!
Funny how that works: you think to yourself, I'm going to build this model, and it ends up building the modeler in you!

 

[Rimmer]

That is an excellent build of a cracking little subject. I can see I've missed some great stuff whilst I've been away from the forum.

 

[BarleyBop]

been away

Thanks for the encouragement, and welcome back!

 

[Andy the Sheep]

I suspect @Andy the Sheep is able to tell us more about it

Thank you Jakko for the "assist"

Well, the feathers originally, since 1836, were wood grouse's; today they are synthetic unless you want to spend some times in jail an pay a very consistent fine for hunting a protected bird

They are worn on the right side of the hat/helmet in order to shade the aiming eye and that's why the hat was, and still is, worn "at 23 o'clock" that is inclined over the right eye. The guy wearing a blue sash and the typical curved sabre is an officer.

Bersaglieri were established as light infantry, basing their training on fast movements, sharp shooting, physical fitness and aggressiveness. They can be compared to the British "grasshoppers" with the main difference that bersaglieri are trained to run long distances while "the Rifles" marched "at the double".
They became soon the most recognizable element of the Kingdom of Sardinia army during the 4 Independence Wars (1848 - 1918).
Then, after 1WW, with the increasing motorization of armies, they were shifted to the role of infantry dedicated to the armour, motorized and cavalry division and that's why they are so frequently depicted in North Africa pictures. They are still in that role today, being the infantry element of the "heavy" Brigades of the Italian Army.
One of their mottos is "Faster than thought" and you can easily imagine as this can be used by the rest of the Army to mock them.

 

[John Waller]

I just got pricked by a feather from my down pillow and when I pulled it loose I thought it might make a nice plume