Historical Review

It is with proud that we introduce in these pages the rebuild on scale 1/35 of the medium size armored Nahuel DL 43; first armored to be entirely designed and built in Argentine from which, unfortunately, no model remains available, not even the armored plan was preserved.
With regards of its past, and with no prejudice of referring the reader to the very interesting article published on this web site on the army section by the Mayor Sergio Hoyos about the review of the first Argentine armored, we would like to add a couple of facts that we believe will interest you.
During the Second World War, Argentina was unable to obtain armored material from Europe and United States denied selling us weapons due to our neutral position during the army conflict.
This situation compelled us, through an enormous effort, to build local armored on a confidential basis so as that borderline countries, with which we had chances of army conflict, would not be aware of quantities being built.
On this period, Argentina was not an industrial nation and did not have many strategic materials for the armored building meanwhile Brazil, an American allied during the conflict, received 230 armored vehicle which were placed on the Rio Grande do Sul State, limit north with our country.
For this reason, during 1943, Tte. Cnl. Alfredo A. Baisi was in charged of the design and building of diverse armored material. Armored vehicle Nahuel DL 43, was a total success.
For this vehicle production, achieved on the Esteban de Luca Arsenal, thousands of workers plus the assistance of almost 80 companies, civil and military, contributed with different components of the armored.

Out of these companies, we can especially mention the Air Force Industry, where engines were built, Special Steel from Military Factory, which provided steel and TAMET industries, where the iron melting took place whereas the ring that secure the tower was fabricated on the State Railroad's workshop and the communication equipment at the Army's Communication Material Management.
The entire work supplied for this particular objective allowed that on a time record the first ten armored prototypes were fulfilled and were seen on the 9 th of July, 1944 military parade, where our patriotic date was celebrated which meant a real national celebration.
This way Argentina owned an armored that had nothing to envy others armored with similar characteristics from that period and this brought up a huge reaction on the region for the defense capacity that our country was able to build.
For the model recreation, we introduce the armored tank number 121 from the mentioned parade commanded by his creator, Tte. Cnel. Baisi, that included 3 machine guns on its front side and one in the tower, free of elements and with part of the tools on the rear side. The second model introduced is the same armored tank presented during the 9 th of July, 1945 parade which only had one machine gun on the front part, supply chains placed around the tower all its tools on the sides and 4 container boxes on the superior rear part.
During the parade, 12 armored tanks were introduced, being this number its total production, excluding the wood prototype.
In 1947, some modifications were done, especially on the visual system, adding a window screen on its front part.
The tank was on service until 1960, year when it was sold to be disabled, disappearing all samples including plans in an act of inexplicable oversight and forgetfulness of our national and military historical patrimony what we intend to mend through this model rebuilding.
Last but not least, we want to offer tribute to the artillery Coronel, Military Engineer Alfredo A. Baisi and all civilians and military that, with their support and effort, contributed with the design and built of the Nahuel DL 43 armored tank, truly historical achievement on the Argentinean military industry and sample of national sovereign.

Scale Models

In order to rebuild these armored vehicles, we obtained two 1:35 resin scale models from the limited edition that put on the market the national firm Aconcagua Resin Models. Kits come on 3 resin shapes, white metal pieces (set of tools), photogravure (straps) and transparent plastic to build light focus.
3 variants can be built out of this model that represents the one exhibited during the exhibition done in Buenos Aires on June 4 th, 1944 where the armored was introduced without its engine plus the 2 models that were presented during July 9 th, 1944 and 1945.
Models chosen to represent were the ones used during the July 9 th, 1944 and 1945 parade where Coronel Alfredo Aquiles Baisi (its designer) can be seen saluting country authorities when passing by the official stage.

How to build Model

Before starting and for those who are not yet familiarized with the model assemble in resin, we have to consider removing the “mazarota” (it is the tree when speaking of a plastic piece) very carefully; procedure that must be done to each piece that composed the model.

Steps to follow:
Big Pieces: Using a special file to carefully carve them without hurting or breaking them
Small Pieces: Cut the piece and bending it with extreme care by using a special scissor
For all cases, we must remove ledges with a file or sand paper depend the case.
Once all pieces dully processed, we must use the cianoacrilate to rapidly stick the pieces. It can be either gel or liquid depending size of the pieces to glue.
Back to the model, this one has a very good advantage: well definition on its pieces what allows a quite easy assembles.
The most complicated part can be seen on assemble and suspension of the bogies since resin is very fragile and delicate, opposite to plastic which implies a very carefully practice. On each bogie, difficulties arises and this happens when we intend to position the return wheels since its axles are not aligned, On this case, we must take into reference the axle on the external side so as the wheels remain centered. Do not forget that once resin is glued, it would be very difficult to detach the piece and the risk of breaking is very high (take this advice: take your time). Once this step is over, next come to align the bogies to the rest of the vehicle. Before glue we must present them and see that vehicle is fully aligned.
Next step is the position of the tracks' section where one of the links must be excluded from one of the two sections and present them until they fit together.
In the case you would like to specify the model so as to give more realism to it, we can build with wire the driver and co-driver door sliding, replace the machine guns tubes with needles and change the grips of the helmet from where the machine guns with copper wire come out.
For those who will choose to place figures, we suggest to place internal supports so you can be able to place it as you want.
The radio antenna is quite long, surpassing the height of vehicle. In this case, you may use a very thin stick made of bronze (0.3 mm diameter). This modification will allow you to insert the little flag on the extreme with a plumb sheet, aluminum or paper, with no risk for the antenna to break or bend.

Painting the model

To paint the model you can use an airbrush taking as the base color the one suggested by the model inventor, dark green (Humbrol Nbr. 163). For the lower part and the tracks, choose the burnt Umber (VP 688 from Testor) and the burnt Sienna (Model Master) so as to give the right effect of dirt and rust. Paint the tower interior and helmet with black matt since it has no specific detail and this way we avoid seeing the interior.
Next, paint tower and helmet taking each one for separate and proceeding to airbrush borders and notch on a burnt Umber color.
On a second stage and with a dark green color, paint each panel giving a tiny layer on the borders and notch.
Third step follows giving a second coat using same color but toning it down with yellow only on center and surrounds but not painting darker borders and leaving an intermediate border painted on previous step on base color.
Finally, paint again same panels with a coat a little bit lighter toning it down with white and paint only the center of each panel.
With the help of a brush we will paint each one of the armored accessories, tools, machine guns and exhaust tubes.
Next, paint with brilliant glaze areas where transfers will be placed. Then let dry, put transfers and airbrush again with brilliant glaze. Many coats must be given until transfers' ledge can not be seen.
One week after, when the glaze is completely dried we can give a final coat of watery earth shadow color (using oil for those who know this technique or acrylic diluted)
Next step consist on giving “lights” using the technique of the dried brush, with a lighter tone than the one used for the base color of the vehicle on the projections.
Then we will use pastel colors, previously marking the areas of dirt and rust, and with the help of a brush we will place some dust on the area to “dirt” and drag it down with the help of another brush until it reaches the aspect we are looking for.
Last step consist on giving a hand of semi matt glaze. This way we finish with the armored painting.

Bibliography and Consulted sources
Nahuel 1943 DL 43 – Autor Ricardo Jorge Sigal Fogliani – Editorial Dunken
Blindados Argentinos – Autor Ricardo Jorge Sigal Fogliani – Editorial Ayer y Hoy Ediciones

http://www.europa1939.com/documentos/tanqueargen.html
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/argentina/argentina.html