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.

After several months of R&R the 7th Panzer Division left France for the southern sector of the Eastern Front in February 1943. After heavy fighting at Kursk, Kiev, Zhitomir and Kharkov the 7th was transferred to the Baltic states in August 1944 until November 1944 when it began its retreat from the Soviet Army. The 7th P-D surrendered to British forces at Scherwin in May 1945. During the French campaign in 1940 the 7th Panzer Division earned the title Gespenster Division “Ghost Division” because of its lightning speed nobody knew where it was, including the German High Command."

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 HG4103 German Marder III 7th Pz. Div. 42nd Tank Destroyer Bttn USSR 1944

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