DR6262 7.5cm Pak 40/2 auf Fgst Pz.Kpfw.II (Sf) "Marder II"
1/35 injection plastic kit with multimedia accessories and decals

Encounters with the Russian T-34 and KV series revealed major deficiencies in the anti-tank capabilities of the German Army. One of the measures implemented to counter this was the introduction of the Marder II self-propelled anti tank gun based on the chassis of existing Panzer II light tank. Armed with the long barrel 75mm Pak 40/2 L/46 it was capable of destroying all common enemy tanks, but being open topped offered the crew minimal protection. For modellers this open fighting compartment offers considerable potential for adding detail and interest.

Overview
This kit features new tooling for most parts including all parts unique to the Marder II and Panzer II series, and shares no parts in common with other Panzer II series kits. The chassis is detailed and the open-top fighting compartment is comprehensive. The gun’s tooling is from Dragon’s recently issued Pak 40 towed anti-tank gun.

The model has approximately 700 parts and includes photo etch, a metal barrel, clear periscopes, and decals. The gatefold instructions have 22 steps of line drawings. The model compares favourably to references and photos and depicts a ‘late production’ Marder II built from January 1943 onwards.

Hull and Superstructure
The lower hull and upper hull/engine deck are new tooling and the hull is a one-piece tub and the upper hull has a main piece, which incorporates the main fenders (with antiskid tread plate) and upper glacis. The side armor plates are also single pieces, which taper nicely at the tops for an in-scale appearance. Cyber-hobby’s upgrade set includes preformed metal plates. The tie down cleats are cast in position, but can be replaced with optional photo etch.

The newly tooled suspension is detailed, both for those parts most visible on the finished kit and also for the leaf spring suspension, which has separate parts for each leaf spring, axle arm and spring cover plate. The road wheels compare favourable to photos in terms of the counter sunk bolts and the hub pattern. Like with some other DML kits the tires and return rollers are labeled “Continentau”, but you can slice of half the “U” if you really wish. Modellers have a choice of two types of detailed drive sprockets, of which one has more detailed bolt heads but would require longer to construct. For the rear idler there are three choices, allowing modelers to build specific vehicles seen in photos.

The hatch for the engine bay can be assembled open, however you will need to provide your own aftermarket engine. The front and rear fender flaps are individual pieces which will meet most modeller’s expectations; while those wishing a thinner profile may thin them or use PE replacements.

Two sets of on-vehicle tools are provided of which one has the clamps molded on for easy of assembly, and the other is bare and is for use with the PE clamps provided. The multi-part exhaust comes with a photo-etched heat shield with the characteristic perforations.

Photos show that the crew often stowed a tow cable (not included) on the upper front glacis, wound around the spare wheel stays, and if you have a spare cable this would be a simple addition.

Tracks
The pre-cut injection plastic magic tracks have open guide horns and are "handed" in that separate left and right side tracks are provided with the track pin facing out accordingly. To avoid mix-ups each set has its own plastic bag and is in a different shade of gray. The links snap together for quick assembly and a whole run can be assembled in minutes; before you apply glue to the assembled track run. A small injection mark is on each side of the guide horns and could be removed swiftly with a hobby knife if desired.

Driver’s and Fighting Compartments
The open topped fighting compartment contains considerable detailed including the driver’s compartment, side fittings and ammunition bins. The driver’s compartment includes the seat, dials, pedals and ZF SSG46 Aphon transmission, and given the driver’s hatch can be modeled open this offers potential for dioramas.

The floor of the fighting compartment has antiskid tread. Other fittings include the flare box (can be left open) MG34 (Gen-2 tooling) with storage brackets, MP38/40 submachine gun (Gen-2 tooling) and storage frame, headphone storage box, coolant exchange hose, four periscopes which have clear plastic vision blocks and an extremely well detailed FuG 5 radio set which has about 20 parts including the battery, rack and both a receiver and transmitter. The ammunition bins can be positioned closed or open with interior racks visible.

Pak 40 Anti-Tank Gun
The gun is made from approximately 70 parts and would be familiar to those modelers who have Dragon’s Pak 40, Sd.Kfz 251/22 Pakwagen or 234/4. This particular kit has a new recoil guard.

The gun shield kit is correctly double skinned (spaced armour saved weight) and both skins are made from plastic. The bolt heads are cast in place and the edges taper to give the impression of being thin.

This kit includes PE for the small sliding center-plate and the two visors fitted between the two skins of the gun shield. There is a choice of plastic or turned metal gun barrel. The plastic barrel has a one-piece tube made using slide technology and both barrels are drop fits into the breach and muzzle breaks. Three different muzzle brakes are included and all are crisp with slide molded parts.

Both the front and rear gun locks for the Pak can be built either in place for travel or open for combat.

A plastic sprue has 8 rounds, 10 ammunition tubes, 3 shell casings and 2 wooden ammunition boxes, which can be used as you wish within the vehicle or on a diorama.

Decals
Two Cartograph waterslide decal sheets are included. One sheet is from the Pak 40 A/T gun and contains marking for the shells and their cases, and spares left over for other projects. The other sheet is new and contains markings for 11 vehicles. The marking are a combination of vehicle numbers, unit insignia and six sets of Balkan crosses in varying styles, including one interesting set which is washed out/faded. Nine of the Marders are from the Eastern Front and one each from France 1944 and Tunisia. As usual the instruction sheet has profiles with a painting guide for each vehicle.

Recommendation

Dragon’s Marder II should prove to be popular as it scores highly for accuracy, crisp parts, and completeness while filling a gap in 1/35 scale models. The inclusion of magic tracks, metal parts and the attention to detail for the suspension and the fighting compartment add to its appeal and value for money. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord

"... an "eye-popper" in anyone's display..."

< full review here >
- Frank De Sisto

"... this is a good choice and a great job of bringing a popular vehicle back out and at a modern level of technological standards ..."

< full review here >
- Cookie Sewell

"... contains great detail that cries out to be built and super-detailed!"

< full review here >
- Vinnie Branigan