Marder III Ausf.M Initial Production

Marder III Ausf.M Initial Production
Ref. # 6464
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon
Price: Unknown
Material: Styrene & PE

To see higher resolution photographs used in this review, please see the GALLERY ALBUM.

Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3, Pic 4, Pic 5, Pic 6, Pic 7, Pic 8, Pic 9, Pic 10, Pic 11, Pic 12, Pic 13,

Introduction

Marder was a generic term given to a series of self-propelled guns built from 1942 to 1945. In all there six types. The Marder I's being based on captured Lorraine chassis, the Marder II's on the Panzer II Ausf.B chassis, and the Marder III's on the Czech 38(t) chassis, which resulted in the most successful vehicle. This variant, the mid-engined Ausf.M mounted the 7.5cm PaK40.

Pic 27, Pic 28, Pic 29, Pic 30, Pic 31, Pic 32, Pic 33, Pic 34, Pic 35, Pic 36, Pic 37, Pic 38, Pic 39,

The kit

Although a new kit, most of the parts for this model have already sort of been in Dragon's catalogue. The recently released Marder IIIM 'Stadtgas' fomr Cyber Hobby is almost identical, with the addition of the gas tanks on the front of the vehicle of course, plus the PaK 40, and the Various 38(t) based vehicles previously released. Having said that though, it's surprising just how much is new.

We get seven large sprues of plastic, 2 medium sized ones that just have 2nd generation kit and ammunition, three small transparent sprues, another seven small grey plastic ones, a separate hull and driver's armoured hood, a bag of Magic Tracks, two photo-etched frets, two small decal sheets, and a length of wire tow rope!

Two of the large grey sprues are completely new, these hold the fighting compartment walls, glacis and all the internal fittings for the fighting compartment. Well...they're new and marked as Marder IIIM, but of course they were in the Cyber Hobby Stadtgas kit, the only small difference being the addition on one of them of a new exhaust.

Where Dragon have tried to make this a bit different to that CH kit, and so try to tempt us into buying it, is in the addition of new photo-etch. For example, we now get a very nice set of PE rear mudflaps incorporating a step, which can be optionally fitted. This is in addition to the PE toolclamps, ammunition rack enhancements, exhaust heatshield, fender toolbox etc.

Pic 53, Pic 54, Pic 55, Pic 56, Pic 57, Pic 58, Pic 59,

If your not familiar with the other kits in the series, you can't fail to be impressed with what's included in this kit. For example, there's a fully detailed interior, and in this case it actually does mean fully detailed. Transmission, driver's compartment, fighting compartment, engine...it's all there and serves as a really solid basis for those that might want to go on and super-detail. There's very little in the way of aftermarket sets you'll need to enhance this kit. Dragon haven't skimped on the fine detail either, with each tiny individual tracklink having an embossed casting number on it.

Having already built the Cyber Hobby Variant, I can attest to the fact that it is a beautifully engineered kit too, and it's lots of fun to build! The only thing that really annoyed me was the photo-etched frames for the ammunition racks, but even these eventually fit correctly, leading me to believe that it was probably my fault, that initially they didn't!

Again, Dragon go to a lot of trouble to offer various choices in the kit, such as Idler wheel etc., without telling us which parts are appropriate for which version. In the absence of references I usually just go with either the first choice offered throughout, or the second.

A nice choice offered is the large 2nd Generation personal kit sprue, which should provide lots of gear to leave around your fighting compartment for that 'used' look, as well as go some way towards filling up your spares box with high quality canteens etc.! The same sprue that holds the fighting compartment walls, also offers a number of specially reduced rounds to fit into the ammunition racks. These are noticeably different in size to the other rounds supplied on the original PaK40 sprues, not just in diameter.

Marking Options

There are seven different colour schemes illustrated on the instructions, two from Italy, on from France, and the rest the Eastern Front. The most interesting one being the one captured and used by the British in Mozza Grogna, Italy, and which carries a hand painted tri-colour roundel, which is supplied on the decal sheet!

Pic 60, Pic 61, Pic 62, Pic 63, Pic 64, Pic 65, Pic 66, Pic 67, Pic 68,

Conclusion

The Marder III M is one of my favourite kits, and therefore I didn't really know what to expect with this release. Or at least I didn't before the Cyber Hobby one! I have to say, that given the fact there is a complete interior included, this would have to be the one I choose over the one released by another manufacturer a few years ago. As to whether or not I would get one if I already had the Cyber Hobby Stadtgas variant? Well...yes I would, but I know a lot of modellers that will either get one or the other. Having said that, a great kit, another variant, lots included, and loads of fun! Recommended!

My Thanks to Dragon for the review sample

For full information on all Dragon products, please see their website, Dragon Models Ltd.