{"product_id":"1-35-sd-kfz-138-marder-iii-ausf-m-initial-production","title":"1\/35 Sd.Kfz.138 Marder III Ausf.M Initial Production","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAlmost as soon as WWII began, Germany began to realize it had a weakness in the penetration power of its tank guns. This truth was forcefully rammed home when panzers began facing well-armored Russian tanks like the T-34 and KV-1. There was an urgent need for mobile antitank weapons, and one solution was the Marder III Ausf.M based on the chassis of the Czech-designed Panzer 38(t). (Note, the “M” in Ausf.M stands for Mittelmotor, referring to the mid-engine layout). This tank destroyer mounted a 75mm PaK 40\/3 L\/46 antitank gun set well back on the hull. The Marder III Ausf.M was the most widely produced Marder variant, with 975 vehicles built from April 1943 to May 1944. Marders fought in all theaters, and some 350 Ausf.M were still in service in February 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDragon will release a fine 1\/35 scale rendition of a Marder III Ausf.M Initial Production vehicle. No detail has been spared on this kit, and it is bulging and rippling with fine detail. The open-topped fighting compartment is crammed with components such as ammo racks and rounds that will allow modelers to really go to town. Using Dragon’s proprietary “Ultra Slim” molding technique, the edges of the armor plates in this fighting compartment are produced to an extremely realistic thickness. This attractive vehicle makes widespread use of slide-molded plastic parts (e.g. a one-piece lower hull) to squeeze every last drop of detail from the available technology. There is also a liberal supply of photo-etched elements (e.g. exhaust shield, mudguards) to give that extra degree of finesse that modelers crave. Based on intensive research, this kit is carefully configured as an Initial Production vehicle and offers many convenient elements such as Magic Tracks, and the option of showing the engine compartment open or closed. As a Smart Kit, this new item will give great pleasure to model connoisseurs!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFighting Compartment:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInjection armor plates in \"Ultra Slim\" thickness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoof of fighting compartment comes with\/different bolt details\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull interior detail for fighting compartment Shell racks finely made\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOption of showing ammunition rounds in rack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriscope made from clear parts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandrail accurated reproduced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed radio unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeather tarp suuport with the fine detail reproduced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGun:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorkable breech\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGun travel lock reproduced w\/crisp detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew gun shield and recoil guards for PaK40 that traverses and elevates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGun shield is produced by 3-directional slide molds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpper Hull:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelicate detailed lower mount for PaK 40\/3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerforated storage box finely made from individual parts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpper hull rendered with delicate detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngine deck cover can be assembled open\/closed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLower Hull, Suspension \u0026amp; Wheels:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew mud flap represented by photo-etched parts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlide-molded one-piece chassis with delicate details\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mud flap and rear panel can be assembled optional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew external exhaust pipe w\/photo-etched exhasut cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngine compartment rear panel is sharply detailed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLower-hull frontal armor has crisp detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngine exhibits delicate details thanks to separate parts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo optional types of sprocket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSprocket and idler wheels accurately tooled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoad wheels and suspension with crisp detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOthers:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBonus perforated storage box made from photo-etched parts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo types of plastic ammunition shell cases, ammo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebes and cases with decal marking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagic tracks w\/casting-number details embossed on every link\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew Cartograf decal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Pack: 20\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox Size: 9.6\" x 15\" x 2.8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Dragon Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42653329588380,"sku":"DR6464","price":99.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/9095\/3628\/files\/DR6464-2.jpg?v=1695714843","url":"https:\/\/www.hobbyco.com.au\/products\/1-35-sd-kfz-138-marder-iii-ausf-m-initial-production","provider":"Hobbyco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}