DML Sd.Kfz.131 Panzerjäger II für PaK40/2

[James Tainton]

This kit came in the mail today, (thanks Larry!)
Will try and get some pics up tonight or tomorrow.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Goodies/MarderII.jpg

[Pvt Mutt]

:o SPG, SPG, SPG

Where are my NITROs,quickly, quickly,HURRRRRRRRYYYYYYYY :)

[MikkoH]

James. Now I'm jealous.. :lol: Can't wait to see more.

Cheers Mikko

[DCG]

I was tempted to pick up one of these at Magic Box myself today jamie, but I opted for the 234/1... ;)

D

[D.A.Kinder66]

I got this one and the cyberhobby update set coming in the mail until i get mine i 'm looking forward to seeing your in progress photos.

[James Tainton]

Well I'm glad for all the interest in this kit. I really just want to build this one from the box, just to have a care free therapy build without worrying about scale armour thickness and all that. But I bet I get bogged down in Advanced Modellers Syndrome (AMS) :lol:
So for the first item I want to discuss is that fact that I am really happy that Dragon seems to be giving some attention to the Panzer II. This all fits in with my primal interest of historical development of AFV's. The older Alan kits were pretty good for their time and I did build one in the early days of my re initiation to modelling years ago, as well as the Bison II. Also there is the ancient Panzer II and Marder from Tamiya but this is a new tooling though and it looks pretty thorough.

Now about the kit, Step 1. is about the usual suspension construction that starts out tank model builds. Dragon has really made it difficult (in a nice way) because there seems to be two types of Drive sprocket wheels and three for the idler! There is no information given as to which one is suited for early mid or late and for which paint scheme included in the instructions requires a specific one of the various the different types. More complete info ought to be included by Dragon if so many options are provided.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/Step-1.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/step1closeup.jpg

some pics showing the different versions. (Nice weld seams, eh?)
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idler1.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idler2.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/drivewheels1.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/drivewheels2.jpg

I also took the liberty of bugging Mr. Edmundson to see if he could give me some insight into this vehicle, as he was the technical consultant on this kit.

Here is a quote from his reply to my query.
As far as references for that Marder II kit, the best one would be the Achtung Panzer #7 on the Panzer I and II tanks and variants. They spent a bit of time on the Marder II and have some great line drawings and photos of a couple of museum examples. The rest of my references were piece-meal at best (old Squadron titles etc). Tom had sent the DML folks a book on the Marder II which had quite a few museum shots. I'll see if he can send me the name & publisher of that one.

The kit is basically a late variant, and the sprocket to use would be the one without the holes between the bolts, and the idler should be E6, which is the most common one seen in photos. I think all the marking options would have that later combination, but it's best to check photos of the one you're doing

[RC_Hill]

Originally posted by panzerfaust@Jul 8 2006, 10:58 PM
Now about the kit, Step 1. is about the usual suspension construction that starts out tank model builds. Dragon has really made it difficult (in a nice way) because there seems to be two types of Drive sprocket wheels and three for the idler! There is no information given as to which one is suited for early mid or late and for which paint scheme included in the instructions requires a specific one of the various the different types. More complete info ought to be included by Dragon if so many options are provided.
That's the only thing I tend to dislike myself...a jillion options on something, but ya never know what feature goes with which specific vehicle...you'd think that they'd get Concord books to make a new book for that particular type of vehicle to at least make it easier on us...come on Mr Dragon, throw us a freakin' bone here! :lol:

RC

[James Tainton]

Some general sprue pictures that Larry took before he mailed this kit out to me.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/107_0797%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/107_0800%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0801%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0802%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0803%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0804%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0805%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0806%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0807%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0808%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0809%20(Medium).JPG

[James Tainton]

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0810%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0811%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0812%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0813%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0814%20(Medium).JPG

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/108_0815%20(Medium).JPG
Big thanks to Larry for taking the trouble to shoot these and send them to me. ;)

[MikkoH]

Hi James!

That looks very great model to me! How about those magic tracks, how nice and accurate they are? I sure want that model to myself, already got achtung panzer no.7. Can't wait to see it build up!

Cheers Mikko

[Flak]

Thanks for sharing the sprue pictures ;) It look a nice kit...

[Larry Bates]

Originally posted by panzerfaust@Jul 7 2006, 08:41 AM
This kit came in the mail today, (thanks Larry!)
Hi James,

No problem bud.

One thing I noticed when taking the photos, as James let me rip into his kit before sending it off to him, was the really nice fine and delicate detail of the leaf springs.

In fact, they were so fine that I initially thought the detail was left off! (was late, and I need new glasses :lol: )

Make sure to finish your Jagdtiger before you tackle this one ;)

I'm having a real hard time not starting the 234/1 yet. :o

Larry

[James Tainton]

A couple of books good for reference are;
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/AP7.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/tpmarderbook.jpg

The wheels all look to match drawings - for whatever that is worth.
from Achtung Panzer 7
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/apdrawingwheels1.jpg

and the Tank Power book
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/mdrawingwheels1.jpg

Here are some images of the road wheels. There is a seam along the surface that meets the road on the rubber part of the wheels, perhaps that is similar to the seam seen on the Panzer IV road wheels- that is there was a seam on newer wheels? There does appear to be a little flash on the inset parts that go in the back but a few seconds with some sanding paper and a 3M pad and all is
well. The fit of the insert to the back of the road wheel I find absolutely spot on- so well engineered is the fit that one really doesn't need glue to secure the parts together! :)
The idler looks pretty good although if one were to worry about it the separate ring part could be sanded a little thinner than it is. I just left mine stock. These are comprised of two parts , the bigger front bit and a rear insert. Some minor clean up is required but everything fits snug as a bug. I like the weld detail, which can be seen on all types of suspension wheels in this kit.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel6.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel5.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel3.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel2.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel1a.jpg

the idler has nice detail on it as well.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idler1big.jpg

here are some 3D images - you need the red blue type of glasses.

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/3Dglasses.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel3da.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idlerroadwheel3Db.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idler3Da.jpg

[Finnmodeler]

Hi James,
thanks for sharing info. This looks very intriguing indeed.

Niko

[James Tainton]

No worries mate.
I take back what I said about sanding the idler ring- after I looked at some images of the Wespe at Munster I took recently it appears to be pretty thick.
Early drive wheel
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/drive-wheel.jpg

Idler wheel
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idlerwheel.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idlerdetail.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/idler-wheel2.jpg

road wheels
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/roadwheel.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/suspension-detail.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/suspension-detail2.jpg

from underneath
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/underneath.jpg

[D.A.Kinder66]

Hey, thanks for sharing These are some cool pictures and informative keep up the good work

[James Tainton]

So moving along to the suspension arms- these things need a fair amount of filing and cleanup of the mold seam lines. The leaf springs are especially fun! :lol:
But first the final drive cover. Some cleanup on the front armour plate on the sides is needed before gluing in place. I used a liberal amount of Testors liquid cement to glue the cover in place so I would get some melted plastic oozing out from the joint to simulate the gasket material that can be see in the detail pics I posted earlier.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/drivehubrightside.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/drivehubleft2.jpg

there are conical bolts on the sprue tree that need to be cut off with a scalpel and glued in the appropriate depressions on the cover.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/conicalbolts.jpg

you can see there is a little clean up on the lower arm pieces
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/arm1.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/arm2.jpg

before gluing the small end plate K1 (K2) that simulates the leaf spring ends careful filing will allow the part to just fit in place nicely.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/plasticspringend5.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/springend2.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/plasticspringend1.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/plasticspringend2.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/plasticspringend4.jpg

[Larry Bates]

Wow, nice work James,

Hands like a surgeon, errrr, or sculptur ;)
And damn nice camera work too.

Larry

[James Tainton]

Yes I work with paint and tinted glazes all day at work so my finger nails look pretty atrocious, but ah well ... ;)

[Larry Bates]

well, I broke down and started cutting pieces off the sprue of my 234/1
tonight. Man, there are lots of parts for the suspension and wheels. but it is well engineered and quite simple looking to assemble.

Larry

[Flak]

Nice work...

[D.A.Kinder66]

i have to say i'm impressed with the camera work to

[Sticky]

Marder II MANIA! Nice pics James - thanks for posting them up!

[James Tainton]

so with me working again- not much time for modelling, but a little update for ya's.
One the that I need to do was add the armour plate part A1. This fit real good, Next there is a detail with the parts C55(C54) that need to be added. I didn't notice this till later, in the kit, until after seeing in photos I took of the Wespe at Munster's final drive area the bolts and weld seam. I figured I would need to add those details myself- but part C55 has the flange and bolts. I did have to add a weld seam.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/flangemon.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/frontweldseam.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/frontweldseam2.jpg

before parts C55 and C54.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/frontseama.jpg

After
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/frontseam.jpg

One thing that is odd- the Dragon instructions show the parts C55 and C54 with two strengthening plates underneath on the flange. I maybe missing something but the actual part is missing this detail. The Wespe has these two triangular bits as well. I'll check my Marder references after I come back from going to get milk for my morning coffee, and see if the Marder chassis has them as well.

[Flak]

Very good presentation :thumb: Keep the graet work coming...

[Larry Bates]

James,

Nice. The squished out glue thing.....I like it. Funny thinf about the strengthening triangles. hmmmmmmmm

Larry

[MartinD]

Dragon is including some really nice detail bits for the models. I do hope they will keep this standard on their M4A2.
James, good luck in building the rest of the kit.

[James Tainton]

a review online
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german...reviewns_1.html (http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german/dml6262reviewns_1.html)
The squished out glue thing.....Actually I placed some strecthed sprue in the joint there before I noticed the parts C55 and C54 which show up later in the instruction sheet. I even did the chopping up of the soften sprue. I had to do some fast work when I discovered the mistake I had made. I basically added more glue and then forced part C55 into place which pushed out the compromised glue. The effect is pretty good thouhgh, a happy accident as they say.

[RC_Hill]

Pardon my french, but it's about d*mn time!
Perth Military Modelling Review of the Marder II (http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6262.htm)

RC

[James Tainton]

Well I have a few rather dark and rough pics of some progress made a few weeks ago- no time till now to upload them.
I have managed to complete the suspension parts. Unlike Sam and others I see with their builds- I keep all parts separate for access for painting and weathering. Once the wheels and hull are painted they will come together then.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0014.jpg

The clean up on the springs was the most trying aspect. There were a couple of noticeable sink marks in the very back pair of springs- I filled with some Auto motive finishing putty, essentially the same thing as Squadron Green Putty.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0015.jpg

The Volte dampers were a real bitch too as for cleaning up the molding seam remnants. :( But with patience and my Opti-Visor I got it done.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0016.jpg

the rear spring - you can maybe just make out the sink mark??
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0017.jpg

sticking things on finally...
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0019.jpg

here the Volte dampers are on and I have glued the rear tow pintle in place- The fit here with the two parts was a bit dodgy but I think I was able to get things looking al right.
https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0021.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0022.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0023.jpg

https://panzerfaust.sslpowered.com/Planet%20armor%20pictures/Marder%20II/DSCF0024.jpg

[paulyrichard]

Fantastic attention to detail, inspirin' stuff! :thumb:

[Panzergrenadier]

Very nice to look at. :thumb:

Siim

[Larry Bates]

James,

Hey, nice to see you have some time to model. I'll be carting boxes to my new place all week after work till Friday, then as soon as I get set up, back to modelling for me :)

Your Marder's looking good, must have taken a couple hours to do with cleanup on those small parts. You have once again made it look easy.

Larry

[Flak]

Great to see you back ;) Great work...and keep us posted on your progress :lol:

[Stuke Sowle]

I love watching progress on this kit!!! Can't wait to see further updates.

[D.A.Kinder66]

Thanks again for the update it looks real good :thumb: