German Panzerjäger Marder II Tank Destroyer with 75 mm PaK 40

Kit-bashing in 1:76 Scale

German Panzerjäger Marder II Tank Destroyer with 75 mm PaK 40 7.5 cm PaK 40/2 auf Geschützwagen II (Sd.Kfz. 131) Panzerjäger Marder II. In 1942 a large portion of the Pz.Kpfw. II production was shifted from the obsolete battle tank to a self-propelled anti-tank gun mode. Eventually 75% of the production was allocated for conversion to Panzerjäger, a simple upgrade, mounting the 7.5 cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun. A total of 576 vehicles were produced between June 1942 and June 1943, after which Pz.Kpfw. II chassis were used to produce the Wespe self-propelled field howitzer. A further 75 Panzerjäger were converted from existing Pz.Kpfw. II vehicles. Designated Panzerjäger Marder II, the vehicle served on all major fronts until war’s end. The vehicle shown here has been painted in DAK colours, bearing the markings of the 21st Panzer Division in North Africa.

Parts Required

Marder II Hull, 1:76 US CASTS
Pz.Kpfw. II Running Gear, 1:76 Matchbox 40081
PaK 40/2 Anti-tank Gun, 1:76 Fujimi 76023
Combat Stowage, Crusader Models and RAFM
Small Parts, 1:76 Nitto Kagaku

Technical Specifications

Type: Selbstfahrlafette (self-propelled gun)
Length: 4.62 m chassis, 6.36 m overall
Width: 2.27 m
Height: 2.20 m
Weight: 10 800 kg
Speed: 40 km/h
Armament: 7.5 cm L.46 PaK 40/2
Crew: 4

Evaluation

US CASTS produces a complete resin kit of the Marder II, but the author decided to replace as many resin components as possible with kit parts found in his tank graveyard. The motivation for this kit-bash was to achieve a more attractive model. Resin components are often plagued by air bubbles, and they are more brittle than injection molded parts.
The wheels and track assembly came from a Wespe self-propelled gun produced by Matchbox - another Pz.Kpfw. II variant - and adding an additional set of return rollers. Alternatively, the running gear of a Matchbox Pz.Kpfw. II can be used, that vehicle has the correct number of return rollers.
Fujimi offers a PaK 40 in conjunction with their Pz.Kpfw. I and Pz.Jäg. I kits, and this was used here. Injection molded kits of the PaK 40 are working models, they elevate, a feature which the resin kit did not offer.
Several parts were cannibalized from an old Nitto Kagaku Pz.Kpfw. II kit, which is now produced by Fujimi.
Stowed equipment like tarps and boxes comes from Crusader Models, jerry cans and ammunition boxes are made by RAFM.
The model could have been detailed even further, adding an antenna, possibly a machinegun mounted on the superstructure, towing cables, and more interior detail.
Crew figures are Matchbox.

Historical Employment

Wehrmacht, May 1942 – May 1945

The parts required for this kit-bash should be readily available, and they will go together very nicely. The Marder II is an open-topped vehicle, offering much scope for interior detailing of the fighting compartment. Crew figures, personal equipment, open and boxed ammunition, and other supplies will be stored inside or strapped to the vehicle itself.

Patrick Storto

Frequently Asked Questions

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