I thought I’d share some pics of my recently completed Marder III for Tigerman’s Panzerjager group build. I replaced the kit tracks with a set of Friuls, used Archer Transfers, and an RB productions antenna. I swiped the crewman from Tamiya’s Wespe kit, and painted them with Vallejo paints. I also used Archer’s transfers for their shoulder boards.
The kit was painted overall panzer gray from Tamiya, then filters and washes were applied. I used Mig pigements along the hull sides, and Tamiya weathering powders for the white wash.
I made a base using paper mache for the ground work, followed by Verlinden winter static grass, and Woodland Scenics field grass. I then sifted baking soda overall, and sealed everything with hairspray.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with how it all turned out. The kit was a dream to build, but I had a lot of trouble with the tracks. For some reason, they kept separating which meant I’d have to remove the bad link, and the link before it. Luckily, there were plenty of spares, so I didn’t run out.
I also built this kit a long while ago as one of my earlier builds - for a Tamiya build it was tricky but it turned out fine. I think I found it hard because I was a total newbie at the time! If I built it now (I’d actually like another crack at it anyway) I’m sure I’d fly through it.
I seem to remember that I used the kit supplied one piece tracks? Did it also come with link & lengths too? They used to scare me! LOL!
I do like the fact that you didn’t use the kit figures. I did and they are very good but it’s nice to see one of these builds with two cold, hunched figures waiting for action! Thet are extremely well painted - nice work.
No, the kit only comes with the rubber band tracks. They look good, but are a bit too long. Plus, I like the sag with the metal tracks. The orignal figures look good, but I wanted to do a winter scene, so I went with these guys.
Sorry Nate - I didn’t see the bit where you mentioned that you’d used Friuls! [:$]
How were they separating? Sounds odd?
That said I’ve got a set of 38(t) Friuls in my kit box and they are terrible! I can normally assemble one run of Friuls in about 90 minutes but when I tried assembling mine I found that every single link needed drilling out with the pin vice and they a bit too wide for my Tamiya Hetzer for which I had planned to use them on so they would sit properly!
In the end I decided that because I’d be using the Schurzen the top run would be totally hidden negating the need for a realistic looking top run - they would have been totally hidden!
I’ve still got them and plan to use them on my Daragon Marder at some point.
Did you experience this problem with your Hetzer Friuls like I did? If so there is something definately not right with them but it looks like you did good anyway!
Here’s my old Marder. One of my first 1/35 builds and my first use of figures - it’s still a favourite of mine:
[Y] Impressive work! [Y] What’s more I am impressed that you had the guts to built another Marder… I swore that I will not build another Marder for a long time because it took me forever to finish it. [:P]
Thanks Andy! Even though I still have 3 left to complete my collection, I think I’m done building Marders for a while!!![:XX]
Nice job on your Marder Ben.[Y]
As for the tracks, I drilled out every link also. I used a dremel to speed it up, but it was still tedious work. Where the links separated, it looks like the wire that holds the links together sliced through the white medal of the link itself. I’ve used Fiuls before, and haven’t had this trouble. Not sure why it happened this time.
Thanks Nate - I was really chuffed with that whitewash finish. It was a total fluke and looked really good [whstl]
As so far as you Friuls go, it sounds to me like you you used a slightly oversized drill bit perhaps? I’ve done this before and it causes one end of the outside of the hole to split. The split gets worse and the links separate. I’ve used a lot of Friuls now but have never had to drill out EVERY hole on each link before my I used the 38(t) links like you.
Heck, when I sat down to assemble my StuG III B links the other weekend I honestly didn’t have to drill one single hole out - they were all perfectly clear!
Still, at least it turned out really well and that is one Marder that anyone should be proud of!
Three more to go? Boy, I have a long way to go… only finished one and you have seen it. Hope I live long enough to build them all. Now you have made me curious which three you haven’t completed…
VERY nice Nate… the entire composition works well - - the kit looks great, the base and the figures = A+
PS
I’ve not had that Friul track problem before… hopefully just a fluke. I use a pin vice hand drill on these (mindless, tedious work, but worth it in the end)
Yeah, it was probably my fault for drilling out every link. I probably made them too weak by doing so. I just drilled them as a pre-emptive measure. They didn’t all need to be drilled, I just did them all at once so I wouldn’t have to stop assembly to re-drill. I’ll know better next time.[;)]
