1/56 Military Vehicles

1/56 Scale Military Vehicles and WWII Armored Fighting Vehicles

Discover the precision and detail of 1/56 scale military vehicle modeling with this comprehensive collection from Italeri, the renowned Italian manufacturer celebrated for engineering excellence and historical accuracy. The 1/56 scale, also known as 28mm wargaming scale, offers the perfect balance between manageable build size and exceptional detail, making these kits ideal for both display modeling and tabletop wargaming applications. This collection spans the complete spectrum of WWII armored warfare, featuring iconic tanks, tank destroyers, assault guns, and armored cars from German, American, Soviet, British, French, and Italian forces.

German Armored Vehicles and Panzers

Command the legendary armored might of the Wehrmacht with the formidable Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I Ausf. E, featuring the iconic 88mm main gun, thick frontal armor, and distinctive overlapping road wheel arrangement that made this heavy tank the most feared armored vehicle of WWII. The Panther Sd.Kfz.171 Ausf. A represents the pinnacle of German medium tank design with its sloped armor, powerful 75mm KwK 42 gun, and excellent mobility that combined firepower and protection. Build the versatile Pz. Kpfw. III in multiple variants (Ausf. J/L/M/N) showcasing the evolution of Germany's primary medium tank through various armament and armor configurations.

Explore German tank destroyers and assault guns with the massive Sd.Kfz. 186 Jagdtiger, the heaviest armored fighting vehicle to see combat with its 128mm PaK 44 gun and nearly impenetrable frontal armor. The Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G assault gun represents Germany's most-produced armored vehicle, featuring the low-profile casemate design and 75mm StuK 40 gun that made it highly effective in both anti-tank and infantry support roles. The Sturmhaubitze 105 variant mounts the 105mm howitzer for close infantry support. German reconnaissance is represented by the Sd.Kfz. 222/223 light armored cars with their distinctive open-topped turrets and excellent mobility for scouting operations.

American Armored Vehicles and Tank Destroyers

Build the backbone of Allied armored forces with the Sherman M4 75mm, America's most-produced tank featuring the reliable vertical volute spring suspension, welded hull construction, and versatile 75mm M3 gun that equipped armored divisions across all theaters. The M18 Hellcat tank destroyer showcases American emphasis on speed and firepower with its open-topped turret, powerful 76mm gun, and exceptional mobility that made it the fastest tracked armored vehicle of WWII. The M8 Greyhound armored car (with M20 utility variant) represents American reconnaissance capabilities with its 6x6 wheeled configuration, 37mm gun, and excellent cross-country performance.

Soviet Heavy Tanks and Assault Vehicles

Experience the overwhelming power of Soviet armor with the JS-2 (IS-2) Stalin heavy tank, featuring the massive 122mm D-25T gun capable of defeating any German armor, thick sloped armor protection, and the robust Christie suspension system. The KV-1/KV-2 series represents early-war Soviet heavy tank development, with the KV-1 mounting the 76mm gun in a conventional turret while the KV-2 features the enormous boxy turret housing a 152mm howitzer for bunker-busting operations. These heavily armored vehicles dominated early Eastern Front engagements before German anti-tank capabilities evolved.

British, French, and Italian Armored Vehicles

Build Allied diversity with the British Cromwell Mk. IV cruiser tank, featuring the powerful Rolls-Royce Meteor engine, Christie suspension, and 75mm gun that provided excellent mobility for exploitation operations in Northwest Europe. The French Char B1 Bis represents pre-war heavy tank design with its distinctive hull-mounted 75mm howitzer, turret-mounted 47mm gun, and thick armor that made it formidable in 1940 campaigns. Italian armor is showcased through multiple variants including the M13/40, M14/41 medium tanks and M40, M41 Semoventi self-propelled guns, representing the Regio Esercito's armored forces in North Africa and the Mediterranean theater.

The 1/56 Scale Advantage for Wargaming and Display

The 1/56 scale (28mm) has become the standard for historical wargaming, offering compatibility with popular rule sets like Bolt Action, Chain of Command, and What a Tanker while providing sufficient detail for serious scale modelers. These kits feature authentic panel lines, detailed running gear, optional configuration parts, and comprehensive decal sheets with multiple marking options. The scale allows for manageable build times, reasonable material costs, and practical storage requirements while maintaining recognizable silhouettes and characteristic details that define each vehicle type.

Building and Finishing Techniques

Italeri kits feature well-engineered parts with minimal flash, good fit, and logical assembly sequences that make them accessible to modelers of all skill levels. Consider enhancing your builds with weathering techniques including dry brushing for highlighting details, pin washes for panel lines, pigments for dust and mud effects, and chipping to represent operational wear. The 1/56 scale responds well to subtle weathering that suggests service without overwhelming the smaller surface areas. Paint schemes should follow historical references, with German vehicles typically in Dunkelgelb (dark yellow) with camouflage patterns, American vehicles in Olive Drab, Soviet vehicles in 4BO green, and British vehicles in various greens depending on theater and period.

Diorama and Display Integration

These 1/56 scale vehicles integrate perfectly with 1/35 scale figures when using 28mm wargaming figures, creating dynamic scenes of armored combat, maintenance activities, or command situations. Build complete armored formations by combining multiple vehicles from this collection, or create narrative dioramas depicting specific historical engagements like Kursk, Normandy, or the Battle of the Bulge. The manageable size allows for multi-vehicle displays without requiring extensive shelf space, making it practical to build complete platoons or company-sized formations.

Historical Accuracy and Research

Each kit in this collection represents specific production variants with period-correct details including turret configurations, armament options, vision devices, and stowage arrangements. Italeri collaborates with military historians and museum archives to ensure dimensional accuracy and authentic detail representation. Modelers can enhance historical accuracy by researching specific units, theaters of operation, and time periods to apply appropriate markings, weathering, and tactical numbers that tell specific stories from armored warfare history.

Wargaming Applications and Tabletop Use

Beyond display modeling, these 1/56 scale vehicles excel in wargaming applications where they withstand handling during gameplay while maintaining visual appeal on the tabletop. The scale provides clear unit identification at typical gaming distances while allowing for detailed painting that enhances the gaming experience. Consider building multiple examples of common types like Sherman, Panzer IV, or T-34 variants to field complete armored platoons, or focus on rare and exotic vehicles like the Jagdtiger or Char B1 Bis to create unique force compositions.

Whether you're building a comprehensive WWII armor collection, creating historically accurate dioramas, or fielding armored forces for tabletop wargaming, this 1/56 scale military vehicle collection from Italeri delivers the precision engineering, historical accuracy, and build quality that serious modelers and gamers demand for bringing armored warfare history to life.