The kit represents the first of the Marder IIIs, the Panzerjager 38(t) fur 7.62cm PaK 36(r) (Sd.Kfz 139) and as such fills a very important gap for those of us interested in German armor in WWII. As a bit of history, this vehicle was the first modification of the basic Panzer 38(t) chassis. The Czech vz.Lt 38 light tank, later redesignated by Germany as the Panzerkampfwager 38(t), was totally outclassed for anything but anti-partisan duties by 1942. While an excellent and reliable chassis, the tank's 4.7cm gun was too weak to deal with the thick armor of the T-34 and KV-1 tanks being encountered in Russia. Not wishing to cease production of the excellent chassis and seeking to use the horde of the very effective Russian 7.62cm anti-tank guns that had been captured following the launch of Operation Barbarossa, the decision was made in Germany to mate some of the Russian guns to the Czech chassis. While somewhat primitive and with the crew left very exposed to enemy fire (the original Marder III's gun shield was only 10mm thick), the little vehicle quickly established a deadly reputation for itself in Russia and North Africa starting in 1942. Some served in Northwest Europe in 1944-45. The Marder III was in production from April to October 1942, with 393 vehicles coming from the Czech plant. Both the Panzer 38(t) Ausf. G and Ausf. H chassises were used. A futher 39 Marder III's were build by converting Panzer 38(t) vehicles originally built as tanks.

Tamiya's latest kit looks outstanding in the box. The assembly instructions proceed through 28 steps plus one for the figures. The lower hull is done in the Eastern European manner with separate sides, floor, front and rear panels. Clearly the kit will be the basis for a future release of the Panzer 38(t) gun tank since all hull modifications are separate parts. I personally hope the 7.62cm AT gun also will be produced since this was widely used "as is" by the Wehrmacht in Russia and North Africa. Of course a new, early WWII Russian AT gun for those of us who like dark green things would be welcome too.

The suspension consists of a quartet of three-part spring and axle assemblies plus two return rollers. Road wheels are hollow inside but are a bit thin. I've tried fitting the Fruil Model metal track for the Pz38(t) to the kit's wheels but found they are a loose fit. It appears the Marder kit's road wheels' thickness scales to about 3.885 inches whereas the road wheels of the real Marder III at APG (on which the Fruil metal track is based) are 5 inches wide. Fruil provides a replacement drive sprocket with the track but modelers should be prepared to beef up the thickness of the road wheels and add a spacer to the idler axle to widen it. Fenders and the armored plate in front of the driver/hull machine gun operator are separate pieces and the hull MG itself can be moved in its ball mount if one is careful with the glue. The visors on the plate are separate parts and are positionable. The drive sprocket attaches by the traditional poly cap but the road wheels and idler are cemented in place. The track is joined using a very little plastic cement.

Tools and cleaning rods for the gun are attached in step 6. Step 7 involves assembly of the side fender stowage boxes and the jack. The lower hull is completed in steps 8 and 9 with the attachment of towing shackles, pintle, tools, lights, and spare track. In step 10 the upper hull is commenced with the installation of ammo racks, the crew's MP42, and gas mask canisters. The ammo racks are all empty, but separate shell case bases are provided to fit into the open holes in the racks -- a nice touch since few combat vehicles ever had a full ammo load once the fighting began. The front and side walls of the fighting compartment are attached in step 12 along with the rear gun travel lock. The muffler and two side ammo racks are assembled in step 13. In step 14 the rear lights and engine exhaust grill are added and the frame rack at the very rear of the vehicle is assembled. The two gun crew seats consist of four pieces each and can be assembled foled down for travel or folded outside the fighting compartment in their combat position. The fighting compartment and front travel lock are completed in step 17. The hatches for the driver and hull MG operator are added here.

These are separate pieces scored so that they may be cut and folded to display the hatches opened. Perhaps an aftermarket resin interior detail set will be provided for the vehicle's driver's compartment or one could be cannibalized from a Maquette Panzer 38(t) kit. The 7.62cm gun is assembled in steps18-24 (it can be made to slide on its carriage as if recoiling). The gun's shields and interior details are added in steps 24-26. The gun assembly is added to the chassis in step 27. The modeler is left to decide whether to show the gun travel locks in use or folded away in step 28, thus completing the kit's assembly.

Step 29 focuses on assemblying the crew. The two figures are nicely posed as if in action, with the gunner turned and pointing while the loader holds a 7.62cm shell.

Tamiya provides a nice basic guide for painting the figures for novices. Markings are provided for five vehicles: "Heidel" of the 7th Panzer Division's 42nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Russia 1944; black "35" of the 19th Panzer Diviison's 19th Tank Destroyer Battalion, winter 1942; 15th Panzer Division's 33rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, North Africa 1942; 7th Panzer Division's 42nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Russia, winter 1942; and white "23" of the 2nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Russia, autumn 1942. Overall, a typical Tamiya top quality kit that is very welcome -- enough said.

Bob Lessels