Hobby Master Archive

In 1941 while invading the USSR the German generals realized that their tanks were no match for the new Soviet T34 and KV-1. While new German tanks were being developed and existing tanks upgraded there was a need for a stopgap vehicle. This would be the Marder III Tank Destroyer (English - Marder means Marten) based on the chassis of the Czechoslovak Panzer 38(t) and produced in 3 variants, Sd.Kfz.139, Ausf.H, Sd.Kfz.138 and Ausf.M, Sd.Kfz.138. These Tank Destroyers saw action on all battlefronts.

The 15th Panzer Division was comprised of many units with one being the 33rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. In the Spring of 1941 the 15th was sent to Libya as one of two divisions of Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Corps. The 15th fought in all but one of the North Africa battles. They arrived too late for the first one when Rommel captured Benghazi. The 15th did take part in recapturing Benghazi. The division finally was defeated and destroyed in May 1943 when the only fuel available for their engines was Tunisian wine.

Specifications - Sd.Kfz.139 Marder III Tank Destroyer Country of origin - Germany Number built - 363 Crew - 4, Driver, Radio Operator, Gunner, Commander Performance Engine - Praga EPA 6-cylinder producing 125 hp or Praga EPA/2 6-cylinder producing 140 hp Fuel - 218 litres Range On road -185 km Cross-Country - 140 km Speed - 42 km/h Dimensions Length - 5.85 m Width - 2.16 m Height - 2.50 m Weight - 10,670 kg Armor - 10 to 50 mm Armament (1) 76.2 mm Pak 36(r) L/51 main gun with 30 rounds (1) 7.92 mm MG37(t) with 1,200 rounds

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4102 German Tank Destroyer Marder III 15th Pz. Div., 33rd Tank Destroyer Bttn. North Africa 1942

Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72)

Weathering and insignias Main gun can elevate

15th Panzer Division