Here's Tamiya's new Marder III M built OOTB in around 5 hours. Other than the rubber band tracks, this is a superb model and is even better than their first Marder III release (7,62cm). Fit is very good, detail is very crisp, construction is simple, knockout marks are very faint and easy to get at. This is a "Wiggum Weekender" - even the dullest knife in the drawer should be able to get this one together over Saturday-Sunday. Naturally, the usual group of 4 thumbed rocket scientists armed with their mighty verniers will be measuring every bit of the kit in an effort to find yet another excuse for not building anything, but lucid modellers will have a blast making this one.

Not much is needed as far as additional details go, maybe some etched tool clamps, tie downs and electrical wiring. I'll be replacing the tracks on even this one though, they aren't up to par with the rest of the kit. I'll be building a few of these, it will be interesting to see the avalanche of aftermarket hit the streets.

G'Day Andrew

Thanks for post. She looks every bit as nice as you say. I will apply for my second morgage now because I reckon I'll be buying about 10 of these.

Of interest it has the welded "square" drivers' station and not the rounded "cast" station. Wonder if Tamiya will release another version with this feature. If not I'm sure the aftermarket boys are already working on it as we speak now!

Now, wheres my calipers and slide rule just to check and be sure

regards

Chris Leeman

I promised my self to cut down on buying kits this next year but this is a gem!
All it needs to get a really acceptable model are a set of fruil tracks and a nice ammoset to fill the bins
Now, where was that ceramic pig with the slit in his back....
Rob

I bent my Wookie!

Darren
dgawle@look.ca

Thanks for sharing, Andrew!

Looks like another winner! The previous Marder by Tamiya was what FINALLY convinced me to take a serious look at German armor. Looks like this one only reinforces the earlier point! I wish I could get my hands on one right now!

I doubt if any one would know, but I'll risk the question anyway:

Does anyone know if Tamiya ever intends to produce the basic Pz38(t)? (or am I gonna have to scratch my own conversion?)

VERY pretty model! bring-on the paint! Hope they come-out with some more!

charlie

nice work, speedy!!

Nick.

She's a right corker!!!!

Now its time to Muck 'er up mate!!!!!!!!!


Sam

..if that isn't the FINEST looking thing in styrene I've ever laid my eyes on! I guess if someone could now do up a decent Marder III/H, the Skoda tank destroyers will soon be complete. 2 down, one to go. Thank you Mr. T!
Great build Andrew...thanks for the preview.

Dinesh

Youv'e done it again Mr Dextras.

I'm just sick to death of all the German WWII armour that keeps coming out. When are we going to get a decent US Armour kit??

See ya round like a Rissole

Anyone would think Aussies have taken over the discussion group by all the strine flying around here....
Aside from that, sweet build Andrew, the kit looks superb. Got to get me a couple, but undoubtablly as usual we will get 3 kits to cover the whole of melbourne.....

Mic

Hi Andrew

Nice build !

Recommended documentation for this model is the "Ground power" #100 (sep 2002 issue, it can be seen on PMMS).
It has very very good pics of the Marder III M, in action (particularly the models depicted by Tamiya) and close-ups as well.
On top of what you mentioned for extra detailing, Andrew, I would see (after a quick look at GP #100):
* A radio headset + wiring
* The radio wires (maybe what you mentioned as electrical wiring)
* The strap on each spare ammunition tube that hold the top end of the shell in place.
* A folded canvas
* A MG 42

I guess Aber will issue another crazy PE set for this one anyway.

Do you paint it next week-end ?

... for the radio :
There is a wire going from the antenna to a small cubic box situated just at the right of the radio rainshield, and from that box, a wire gets plugged to the radio, in the right upper corner, just right of the dial (Tamiya represented that vertical plug).

Nice one! Thanks for this peek.

How does the Pak 40 seem? A new tooling? Or have they tweaked the older model a bit?

hartupp@zipDROPCAPSworld.com.au

I don't have the Marder IIIM yet but I can tell that the Pak 40 is new tooling as compared to their earlier, Pak 40 release. I know b/c I've been detailing one for a Marder I on the workbench.

Hmmm... D'you think Tamiya might finally put out that SdKfz 251/22 Pakwagen? I know that everyone thought one would be released on the heels of the 251D but with the newly tooled Pak 40...

they still haven't put the FlaK43 from the Möbelwagen on a limber.

Ken

You know how expensive my Second Cup habit is, and I just blew half of it out my nose laughing so hard!! Nice job, by the way.
Dan

Was that mean then? Some Canadian colloquialism??

What a beauty. Top of my buy list now.

Andrew

from the Simpsons. If Wiggum can build it in a weekend, then most of us should be able to pull it off in a couple hours.

x

I agree with you, the kit is really nice. I finally got my copy from R10 yesterday. I also was thinking that not much aftermarket was needed, maybe some clasp handles on the tools, new tracks, and some wiring for the radios and antennaes. Really great tooling, especially the 75mm - I was already thinking might be worth getting some sprues from R10!

I also got the Clipper 38t Ausf D conversion from R10 for the Tamiya Marder III (early one). Really nice stuff, though the turret is solid cast. Also got the EagleCZ Flakpanzer 389(t) from Bob Lessels - nice kit! How is that for a 38(t) trio?

I know one was converted from the first style of Marder in Tamiya Magazine but with the new chassis and superstructure it should be possible. Or maybe even a Bison?

I thought the kit went together perfectly. It's a great looking one as well. I only need to practice my airbrushing and wow will it look nice!

great look! any tips on paining?