April 30, 2026

Preview: Lanmo gives us the 35th scale L6/40 Light Tank Inside & Out in May

Lanmo Model brings us two models of the Autoblindo 46 plus an internal set (35th scale) in May. We have info on the vehicle, the kits, & the separate interior set in our preview...


Preview: Lanmo gives us the 35th scale L6/40 Light Tank Inside & Out in May

The subject: The Autoblindo 46 L6/40 tanks.
The Carro Armato L6/40 was a light tank developed by Fiat-Ansaldo for the Italian Royal Army in the late 1930s. Initially designed as a 6-tonne export project (hence L6), it was adopted in 1940 to replace the outdated L3 tankettes. Although featuring a modern riveted construction and a rotating turret, its limited armour and armament made it essentially an armoured car without wheels, designed primarily for colonial police and reconnaissance roles. 

The prototype with two machine guns in the turret on trials in Italy.
Entering service in 1941, the L6/40 saw action on various fronts, including the Balkans, the Eastern Front, and North Africa. It was equipped with a 20mm Breda Mod. 35 autocannon and a coaxial 8mm machine gun, which were adequate against light targets in 1940 but quickly became obsolete. By the time it was deployed in numbers, Allied weaponry meant it was frequently outclassed, leading to many crews adopting the "sandbag" technique for improvised added protection. 

Although these trucks are large, you can see the diminutive size of these tanks in this picture from North Africa.
L6/40 L6/40 tanks proved their limited worth mainly in the Balkans, where they were effective against partisan forces. Despite the design being outdated, production continued through 1942, with about 283 to 440 vehicles manufactured. After the Italian armistice in 1943, many surviving L6/40s were seized by Germany for use in occupation roles. The chassis was also crucial for the development of the more successful Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun.

This old image shows a little of the interior of the tank in illustrative form.
An Italian-built L6/40 light tank with German markings, northern Yugoslavia, Jan 1945.

The three new L6 tank (& interior) kits from Lanmo Model
There are three new kits coming in May from Lanmo Model; they are the following:
MM35009 - Italian L6/40 light tank.
MM35010 - Italian L6/40 (m6) light tank prototype.
NM3502 - Italian L6/40 light tank series interior kit.

Italian Autoblindo L6/40 Light Tank
From Lanmo models
Kit No. MM35009
1/35th scale
Spring suspension, metal barrel & photo-etch included
Expected launch in May 2026
The longer-barrelled L6/M40 light tank is the first of the three released kits from Lanmo in 1/35th scale. You can see below from the CADs that the kit is mostly plastic injection-moulded material, with some photo-etch and a metal barrel for the main long gun included.


Italian Autoblindo L6/40 (m6) Light Tank
From Lanmo models
Kit No. MM35010
1/35th scale
Spring suspension, metal barrel & photo-etch included
Expected launch in May 2026
The prototype version of the L6 is the second kit, providing a similar look, of course, and smaller MG barrels in metal for the modeller. You can see some of the details below in the second set of CADs.


Italian L6/40 light tank series interior kit.
From Lanmo models
Kit No. MM3502
1/35th scale
Full interior included
Expected launch in May 2026
The internals of the L40/M40 are here in this kit. a smart idea that Lanmo has pulled off before and great for those who don't want to pay for an interior that they don't use. Alternatively great for those who want that extra detail (in plastic).

This kit is expected to be released in March 2025. You can see more about it on the Lanmo Models Website