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DR6331
Sd.kfz 138 Panzerjager 38 fur 7.5cm Pak 40/3 Ausf H Marder III H
1/35 injection plastic kit with multimedia accessories and decals
Built on the proven chassis of the Panzer 38(t), the Marder III self-propelled
anti tank guns, or panzerjager, provided much needed anti-tank capabilities
for the German Army. The Marder III H was the second design in the series
and featured the German designed 7.5cm Pak 40 and an improved superstructure,
which provided better protection for the gun crew who could now stand
behind cover from small arm fire when manning the Pak.
OVERVIEW
This kit is from Dragon・s Smart Kit series and is Dragon・s second release
in their new series of kits on the 38(t) chassis. Like with the Sd.Kfz
140/1 it features extensive use of refined molding techniques, such
as slide molding, to produce crisp detailed parts. The Marder has approximately
400 parts for the gun, shield and hull plus another 200 for the Magic
Tracks. Parts include photo etch, pre-bent basket for spent rounds,
spare shell turned metal barrel, and clear plastic for the periscopes
and vision blocks. The gatefold instructions have 23 steps of line drawings.
Photo etch parts include the perforated tool box, mesh and sliding cover
over engine deck grill, grills over the engine access doors, small detail
on front vision blocks and strapping on the upper ammunition bins.
HULL & SUSPENSION
As expected the 38(t) hull is based on that in the Dragon Sd.Kfz 140/1
kit and hence share many of that kit・s strengths. Thee main hull is
a detailed one-piece tub, which has separate parts for the rear idler
mount, return roller mounts, front lower glacis and rear plates, tow
hooks, access hatch and several other fittings. Small detail such as
bolt heads is nicely rendered.
The engine deck has separate hatches for access to the engine bay should
you wish to add an engine while photo etch is used for the mesh screen
and sliding cover over the air intake vent. The distinctive rear spent
carriage catcher is made from preformed metal insert and a plastic frame,
while the perforated side catchers are plastic. PE is used for the mesh
over the vents on the underside of the engine deck hatches, a feature
that has been overlooked in aftermarket PE sets.
The front glacis plate has separate transmission inspection cover, and
fine bolt heads are prominently featured throughout the upper hull.
The upper glacis has the driver vision hatch which can be modeled opened
or closed and includes the cowling and a clear plastic vision block,
and a movable hull machine gun, which is the Czech made MG 37(t).
The fighting compartment interior is reasonably detail and includes
an ammunition rack, the suspended floor, transmission, rear firewall,
driver・s and radio operator・s seats and dashboard.
The side fenders have a lip (fold) on the outer edge, and separate fender
support brackets. There are no predrilled holes on the fenders, so take
care when fitting the tools and other fittings. The hull fittings are
sharply defined and include a multipart jack, a Notek lamp with PE detail,
and spare tracks with PE clamps.
The pre-cut Magic Tracks have open guide horns and minute casting numbers
on each link. They can be assembled by clicking them together and applying
glue when each track is finished. These links have very small injection
marks and 99% of modelers should be happily using them without clean
up. I found the link clicked together with a positive alignment, which
held firm during normal handling.
The crisply tooled suspension can be assembled with some articulation
to allow for positioning on a diorama base. The road wheels have the
bolt head detail on both the outer and inner faces, while other bolt
heads are on the return roller mounts and suspension frames.
PAK 40 ANTI-TANK GUN & UPPER ARMOUR
The Pak 40 is made from approximately 70 parts and would be familiar
to many modellers. For the Marder III H the Pak has new injection plastic
curved shield, which is unique to this Panzrjager. The gun・s lafette
was mounted on a T shaped frame that sits across the top of the hull.
Armour plate were fitted around the front and side of the gun and provided
the crew with some protection. Each side armour shield is a single piece,
which has separate fittings such as periscopes (clear plastic), radios
and ammunition bins attached on the inside. The exterior bolt heads
are finely cast, the tie down cleats are cast in position, and a perforated
frame mounting on the side shield is built from 10 PE parts.
There is a choice of plastic or turned metal gun barrel. The plastic
barrel has a one-piece tube made using slide technology and both barrels
are drop fits into the breach and muzzle breaks. Three different muzzle
brakes are included and all are crisp with slide molded parts. The front
gunlock can be built either in place for travel or down for combat.
A plastic sprue has 8 rounds, 10 ammunition tubes, and 2 metal boxes,
which can be used as you wish on the vehicle or a diorama.
DECALS
Two
Cartograph decal sheets are included. One sheet is from the Pak 40 A/T
gun and contains marking for the shells and their cases, and spares
left over for other projects. The other sheet is new and contains markings
for 4 Marders including three sets of Balkan crosses in varying styles
and vehicle numbers. The Marders are from Panzer Jager Abt. 171 with
17th Infantry Division in Italy 1943 (typical three colour camouflage);
2nd Company Panzer Jager Abt. 39 with 21st Panzer Division in Tunisia
1943 (two colours), 23rd Panzer Division on the Eastern Front 1944 with
Paula written on the side, and one from an unidentified unit in Italy
1944 with three colour camouflage.
The instruction sheet has 3 profiles of each Marder and colour side
profiles are on the box.
RECOMMENDATION
Dragon・s Marder III H should be popular as an impressive model can be
built out of the box, while it also offers a solid basis for super detailing.
It is well featured with Magic Tracks, a metal barrel, key PE parts,
and much interior detail. Highly recommended.
USEFUL REFERENCE
"Marder
III and Grille" by V. Francev and C. Kliment has a good section
on the Marder III H.
-
Neville Lord
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