SdKfz.131 New Marder (123)
$299.00

Thomas Gunn Miniatures

Item Number: ACCPACK121

SdKfz.131 New Marder (123)

Development History

Heinz Guderian envisaged in the 1930s the need for highly mobile self-propelled anti-tank vehicles.  His vision was not put into practice in the early war years.   However, during the Invasion of the Soviet Union, the Wehrmacht encountered tanks which they had problems dealing with effectively and were forced to introduce a number of different hastily built and developed Panzerjäger based on any chassis that was available.  From this, the sequence of Self Propelled Anti-tank guns, generally known today as the ‘Marder’ (Marten) were brought into service.
 
The Marder II was built using Panzer II Ausf.F (with smaller numbers of older versions) chassis by simply removing the turret and most of the superstructure except for the driver’s compartment. On top of the driver’s compartment, a specially designed mount for the main gun was welded to the hull.   There were 531-576 Built + 68-75 Converted + 10 Field Conversions

Combat History
 The Marder II had a wide and varied combat history.  The Marder IIs were used by the Panzerjäger Abteilungen of the Panzer divisions of both the Heer and the Waffen SS, as well as several Luftwaffe units, it was the first armoured vehicle to be used by the Fallschirmjager.  Seeing service in all theatres, with the vast majority seeing action on the Eastern front, there were over 300 that took part during the Kursk Campaign. The vehicle saw service in North Africa, Italy and the Western Front.  Six were sent to Denmark, one of which was purchased by the Swedes for evaluation and can be seen in the Arsenalen Tank Museum Strängnäs (Sweden).  It's now one of only four surviving vehicles in the world.
 
The Marder's limitations were mainly related to survivability.  A combination of a high silhouette and open-top fighting compartment made the vehicle vulnerable to indirect artillery fire, aircraft strafing, and grenades.  Relatively thin armour made them vulnerable to enemy tanks or infantry.  The Marders were not assault vehicles or tank substitutes; the open-top compartment meant operations in crowded areas such as urban environments or other close-combat situations were not an option.  They were best employed in defensive or overwatch roles.  Despite their Achillies Heel, they were more effective than the towed antitank guns that they replaced and well liked by their crews.
 

Our Marder
The photos below show a 1/30 scale 90% completed prototype, we are still awaiting final interior enhancements such as side periscopes, gas mask, radio, and fire extinguisher, plus decal markings.  The gun can be moved horizontally.

Final production pieces will come as per photos, but with addition of serial numbers on the side, 121, 122 and 123, making a total of 3 variants available.  Three different sets of crew figures will also be available.  These are 'universal' crew figures and will also complement the second self-propelled gun due out in October 2024.

Limeted to 120 worldwide.

Due to be released in SEPTEMBER 2024.