Marder III Ausf. M

The Marder III Ausf. M was part of the Marder III tank-killer family, a series of effective open-top self-propelled anti-tank guns used from 1942 until the end of the war. Following the launch of Operation Barbarossa in 1941—the invasion of the Soviet Union—it became clear that the German army urgently needed an effective response to the previously unknown, powerful Russian tanks: the T-34, KV-1, and KV-2.

It was against this backdrop that the Marder III tank destroyer was developed, with an initial version, the Sd.Kfz. 139, rapidly brought into service. It was built on the chassis of the Czech Panzer 38(t) tank, which was already obsolete in terms of armor and armament for the war unfolding on the Eastern Front, but whose compact chassis and mobility were well-suited for an anti-tank vehicle. This version was armed with the Russian-made 76.2 mm F-22 Model 1936 field gun, hundreds of which had been captured at the start of Operation Barbarossa and converted into anti-tank guns under the designation 7.62 cm PaK 36 (r) after adapting the chamber for a larger-caliber cartridge, improving the recoil system, limiting the elevation angle, moving the elevation controls to the left side of the gun, and installing a distinctive muzzle brake. In total, approximately 360 units of this Marder III variant were built between April 1942 and 1943; they were used on all fronts in Europe and even by the Afrika Korps.

The next versions of the Marder III were the Sd.Kfz. 138 Ausf. H and Ausf. M. Both were built on the same chassis as the Panzer 38(t) but were equipped with the excellent standard German 7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 40 (PaK 40) gun, the backbone of German anti-tank weapons. The Ausf. H had the engine mounted at the rear, as in the Panzer 38(t), while in the more modern Ausf. M, the engine was located in the middle of the vehicle, moving the gun turret to the rear of the vehicle, which reduced its overall height. This was also the most widely produced version between 1943 and 1944, with approximately 970 units manufactured.

Wargame3D scale models, 3D-printed in cured plastic resin in one or more pieces depending on the version (see available images). They are delivered without support structures, ready to paint. Paint and glue are not included. Not suitable for children under 14 years of age.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before placing your order, please keep the following considerations in mind regarding 3D-printed scale models:

1. This scale model was digitally designed by Wargame3D and is printed using SLA/DLP printers with UV-cured plastic resin. This type of printing is done in layers. In some cases, these layers may be visible on certain surfaces of the printed model. Therefore, some surfaces may not be completely smooth, although this characteristic may not be noticeable once the model is painted. Please keep this characteristic of plastic resin-printed models in mind before placing your order.
2. Printing is done on demand. A standard order takes about 10 business days to be printed and ready for shipment.
3. Some small details of the printed model (gauge bars, handles, etc.) may not be reproduced in the smallest scales, such as H0 and 15mm.