Tamiya Marder III

2017 Panzer 38(t) and Variants Group Build. Campaign runs from 01/01/17 - to 30/06/17. Campaign medals awarded for models completed within those dates.
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Philipp Gross
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Tamiya Marder III

Post by Philipp Gross »

...also known as Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62 cm PaK 36(r), Sd.Kfz. 139. But let's just call it Marder, okay? :lol:

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This is the first version of the Marder III series, developed in early 1942 to make use of the now obsolete Panzer 38(t) still in production at that time. The turret was removed and an armoured superstructure added which housed the PaK 36(r), a German modification of the Soviet F-22 76,2 mm field gun, which was captured in huge numbers during 1941. Most of these were modified to use the cartridge of the 75 mm PaK 40 with their original 76.2 mm projectile, which turned a mediocre field gun into a potent anti-tank gun. 344 Marder III were built between April and November 1942 before production switched to the improved Marder III Ausf. H, which used the German Pak 40.

Here's the vehicle I'm going to model. Yes, these are three hearts on the side. It's from the same unit as the one above, which has two diamonds.

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Another one, with spades (and a name). See a pattern here? :lol:

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Common to all were two racks for jerrycans and some sort of mud camouflage. This should make things a little more interesting.

I'll be using the Tamiya kit, the only one except for some long forgotten Eastern European abomination. It was first released in 2001, and back in the day it was the best 38(t) chassis on the market. There even was a short-lived conversion kit to turn it into a proper Panzer 38(t)...

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Not too many parts, but what is there looks promising.

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There's only one slight problem...
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Not sure if I can use these, I'll have to see how they behave. Maybe I plunder tracks from one of my Tristar kits, when I get around to build one of these I'll just have to hope Hobby Boss will continue to sell these separately as Tristar once did...

That's it for now, time to get started :twisted:

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Philipp Gross
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Philipp Gross »

And here's the first day's progress. This should be done relatively soon. I haven't much planned for it (yet), but I'll add some extra bits and pieces as needed.

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Adam Durrant
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Adam Durrant »

I thought I was off to a quick start, you'll be finished by the end of the week Phil!

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Steve Hutchinson
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Steve Hutchinson »

Wow Philipp

I know Tamiya are "shake & bake" kits, but give us all a chance :lol:

The tracks could slow you down an hour or two :roll:

Odd looking kit, a clear gap fill expedient for a tracked anti tank gun,
but she is a weirdly good looking kit ;)

Nice work

Steve H
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Philipp Gross
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Philipp Gross »

Thanks for dropping by friends :D

You all know me well enough to know how this will end. Build completed in two days, painting completed in two months, diorama completed two hours before the deadline :lol:

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Vincent Power
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Vincent Power »

Great start Philipp and I like your choice of subject. :) Marders are quite interesting vehicles.

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Philipp Gross
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Philipp Gross »

Thanks Vincent :)

Especially this one - a virtually unchanged Czech chassis with a Soviet gun on top and a bit of German steel plates bolted around...quite some international cooperation :lol:

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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Philipp Gross »

Some progress, slightly stalled by some required modifications to make the model better fit the real thing.

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I had to rebuild the gun travel lock, as the kit has a different version than the Marders of that particular unit. And of course the jerrycan racks, made from PE scraps. The small stowage box came from a Tamiya jerrycan set, which also has a few other optional parts included.

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The air intake was missing its mesh. It's not that important since assorted stowage will cover the basket above it anyway. Except for a few minor details the hull is now complete.

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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Steve Hutchinson »

Flying start Philipp :D

Always good to see the little tweaks needed to smarten things up

Nice progress

Steve H
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Vincent Power
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Re: Tamiya Marder III

Post by Vincent Power »

All those extras will give this a personality all its own Philipp. :)

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