Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale =9139-=9145 Series Kit No.
6464; Sd.Kfz. 138 Marder III Ausf. M Initial Production - Smart Kit;
937 parts (562 in grey styrene, 240 =93Magic Track=94 links, 118 etched
brass, 16 clear styrene, 1 length twisted steel wire); price estimated
at US$50
Advantages: complete upgrade to earlier Ausf. H kit; many new parts
added directly for this kit; wide distribution of more popular variant
Disadvantages: some complaints linger about =93straight=94 fenders
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German and Praga tank fans
DML finally =93dropped the other shoe=94 by releasing the standard
version of the popular Marder III SP antitank gun. For reasons best
known to DML and cyber-hobby.com it was originally released as a
=93boutique=94 kit with the odd choice of a training variant configured to
run off propane gas.
As such the review for the =93stadtgas=94 variant applies to most of this
kit, as they share nearly 100% of the same parts. Based on three
previous DML kits =96 the Marder III Ausf. H =93Smart Kit=94 (No. 6331),
th=
e
Flakpanzer 38(t) =93Smart Kit=94 (No. 6469), and their 7.5 cm Pak 40 (No.
6130) this kit also adds a large number of new parts =96 113 styrene and
118 etched brass.
Like the Ausf. H kit, it is nicely done, but unlike past =93Smart Kits=94
- designed so that etched brass is either kept to a minimum or not
required =96 this kit has a good amount of brass with it and it must be
used to construct the model. Some of the frames and grilles will
require a good amount of =93origami=94 to shape so it is recommended that
the modeler have a good bending jig like a Hold=92n=92Fold or Etch-Mate on
hand.
This kit does include the engine and other interior parts from the
DML TNHP series kits as well as many new bits. While the directions
are typical DML and as obtuse as usual, they are better about
indicating what is optional and what it should look like in either
position, such as the engine access hatches. The suspension is similar
to that of the Tristar kits with each bogie assembly consisting of
nine parts. A =93doormat=94 type matting is provided for the floor of the
fighting compartment.
The driveline and interior are mostly styrene parts, such as the
transmission/clutch assembly, steering controls, driveshaft and
****eld. The ammo racks are all molded as groups of tubes and dummy
half rounds are provided to simulate a loaded tube. There is one small
radio and it mounts on the right side of the casemate. Each periscope
in the fighting compartment is all stryene (clear prism component,
grey mounts) and may be positioned as folded or erected.
This kit offers seven different fini****ng options: Unidentified unit,
Italy 1943 (whitewash over sand); Unidentified unit, Italy 1944 (sand
overall); captured British vehicle, Mozza Grogna, Italy 1943 (sand
with green and tri-color roundels plus British AOS markings);
Pz.Jg.Abt. 113, Eastern Front 1944 (whitewash over sand); Unidentified
Unit, Eastern Front 1944 (sand with green mottle and =93kill=94 rings);
12th SS Panzer Division =93Hitlerjungen=94, France 1944 (tricolor mottle,
number 102); and Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1943 (thin green
mottle over sand). Decals are targeted and from Cartograf.
Assistance on this kit is credited to Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.
Overall, this is a nicely done kit and given the overall popularity
of these tank destroyers the wide-release version should do well.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell
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