With the recent release of Tamiya’s Marder III and III M kits, this set of separate links tracks for the Panzer 38(t) family from WWII Productions is a welcome release.  Like all WWII Production tracks, these links have the benefits of being workable and clicking together for easy assembly.

Contents

The set contains approximately 220 links, which are cast in a light grey resin.  This provides enough links for both tracks with about 30 spares. Given Marders and 38(t) carried spare track, these extra links should prove useful.

The links are crisply moulded with fine detail such as the casting numbers and indentations on the guide horns.  They compare very favourably to reference photos and represent a significant increase in finesse compared to the 38(t) individual links from DML and Maquette.   My set had a bit of loose flash, in the holes that mesh with the drive sprocket.  Unlike injection plastic track sets, these links do not have to be removed from the sprue or suffer from visible sink marks.

A clearly written two-page instruction sheet is included.  

Construction

I found construction to be quick and straightforward.  The links interlock using long and short pins that are part of each link.  I found it best to use the following technique:

1) Slip the first link over the long pin of the second link.
2) Press the first link down into the second link so that the short pin clicks into in to position, and repeat for subsequent links.

Being fully workable, these tracks will naturally form a realistic track sag and the completed track lengths can be painted either before or after being fitted to the kit.

While these links are designed primarily for Tamiya’s Marders, they also work with other kits based on the 38(t) chassis.  I tested fitted the track with the Italeri/DML and Maquette Panzer 38(t) kits.  In both cases the idler and/or drive sprocket needs to be adjusted (this will be covered in a future Article on Track-Link).

Recommendation

These WWII Production tracks are extremely well detailed and easy to use.  If you want to make your Marder III or Panzer 38(t) into a show winner, it would be hard to find a better option for your tracks.   Highly recommended.


Related 1/35 kits

• Tamiya Marder III Sdkfz 139 (kit 35248).  An accurate and easy to assemble kit of the first Marder based on the 38(t) hull and armed with a captured Russian gun.
  
• Tamiya Marder III M Sdkfz 139 (#35255).  The final version of the Marder on the 38(t) hull and another high quality release from Tamiya.
  
  
• Dragon/DML Grille Ausf. H Sdkfz 138/1 (#9004).  This kit is based on the Italeri 38(t) hull with an early 1990’s tooling for the interior and superstructure.
  
  
• Italeri Marder III Ausf H Sdkfz 138 (#210).  This is a classic 1970’s release that can be made into a quite pleasing kit.
  
  
• Maquette offer a range of 38(t) based kits that have partially interiors, but require a bit of care during assembly.
  
  
  
  • Panzer 38(t) Ausf A-D (#3542).  This kit can make any of the first 4 production versions.
    
  • PanzerBefelswagen 38(t) (#18).  This is an Ausf B command vehicle.
    
  • Panzer 38(t) Ausf G (#11).
    
  • Marder III Sdkfz 139 (#3544).  This is kit the same subject as the Tamiya release.
    
  • Sdkfz 140/1 (#12).  The late war light reconnaissance tank.
    
  
  
• Alan Grille Ausf M Sdkfz 138/1 (#15). This shares a chassis with the Maquette kits.