Marder III - 1/72

Name Tank hunter Sd.Kfz. 138 Marder III (No. 343)

Producer UM, Ukraine

Packaging Cardboard box with side opening

Type of kit Plastic kit of German WWII tank destoryer (small PE fret included)

Quality Kit is based on previous Pz. 38 (t) kit. They have three sprues common - one with hull parts and two identical with suspension parts and tracks (only one is pictured). New one in this kit is only sprue with parts of main gun and superstructure. Parts are molded quite good, with sharp details and minimum flash. However, perforated tub over engine desk is completely useless (Parts No. 82C, 83C and 30C). it is very thick and simplified. There are four rows of very big holes in side plates of the tub instead of eight rows of small holes, for example. We can only hope, that some aftermarket set will be released soon. Interior can be improved also, mainly parts No. 29C (ammo holders?).

Instruction sheet First part is detailed and well-arranged, but at hte end it seems, that designers of instructions had not enough space and it is quite cramped. Painting schemes are very simplified and inaccurate. It is better to rely on references.

Decals Marking for eight vehicles (seven German and one post-war Czechoslovak). Only three vehicles from decal set are detailed in instructions. There is fourth vehicle on backside of the box. Luckily, it is not in the decals - scheme is completely wrong (photo of real vehicle is in Panzer Colors vol. I, p. 71, its color profile is in MBI book Marder & Grille).

General impression When buying this kit, You must count also with the investment to some accessories. Without them, built only from the box, this kit will look more like a toy.

Name	Tank hunter Sd.Kfz. 138 Marder III (No. 343)
Producer	UM, Ukraine
Packaging	Cardboard box with side opening
Type of kit	Plastic kit of German WWII tank destoryer (small PE fret included)
Quality	Kit is based on previous Pz. 38 (t) kit. They have three sprues common - one with hull parts and two identical with suspension parts and tracks (only one is pictured). New one in this kit is only sprue with parts of main gun and superstructure. Parts are molded quite good, with sharp details and minimum flash. However, perforated tub over engine desk is completely useless (Parts No. 82C, 83C and 30C). it is very thick and simplified. There are four rows of very big holes in side plates of the tub instead of eight rows of small holes, for example. We can only hope, that some aftermarket set will be released soon. Interior can be improved also, mainly parts No. 29C (ammo holders?).
Instruction sheet	First part is detailed and well-arranged, but at hte end it seems, that designers of instructions had not enough space and it is quite cramped. Painting schemes are very simplified and inaccurate. It is better to rely on references.
Decals	Marking for eight vehicles (seven German and one post-war Czechoslovak). Only three vehicles from decal set are detailed in instructions. There is fourth vehicle on backside of the box. Luckily, it is not in the decals - scheme is completely wrong (photo of real vehicle is in Panzer Colors vol. I, p. 71, its color profile is in MBI book Marder & Grille).
General impression	When buying this kit, You must count also with the investment to some accessories. Without them, built only from the box, this kit will look more like a toy.