Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie SPz Marder 1A3 de la Bundeswehr Allemande

Revue de la Maquette Revell au 1/72

This Marder 1A3 shows the new three-colour NATO camouflage pattern called "Fleckentarnanstrich" in the Bundeswehr. The basic colour is RAL 6031 Bronzegrün, mixed avec 30% white to account for the scale effect. The model comes avec a detailed plan of the camouflage pattern which shows the pitch black (RAL 9021) et leather brown (RAL 8027) camouflage patches on all sides of the véhicule. The Fleckentarnanstrich is difficult to paint, but the finished model is well worth the effort. The stowed camouflage nets may be replaced avec more realistic items made from army gauze bandage et draped over the infantry fighting véhicule. Le système de missile antichar MILAN, like many other equipment items, still shows the older RAL 6014 Gelboliv Bundeswehr camouflage colour. The launcher tube has been drilled open to add realism.

Contenu

Schützenpanzer Marder 1A3, Véhicule de Transport de Troupes (VTT)
- 5. Kompanie/PzGrenBtl. 152, Schwarzenborn, 1997
- 5. Kompanie/PzGrenBtl. 323, Schwanewede, 1998
- 2. Kompanie/PzGrenBtl. 212, Augustdorf, 1999
Milan Panzerabwehr-Raketensystem, système de missile antichar (ATGM)

Évaluation

Scale-Modell avec excellent detail. The surface of the Marder is covered avec small hinges, rivets, bolt heads, crew et infantry hatches, et panel lines which remain clearly visible after painting. The finished model is a feast for the eyes, especially if the regulation camouflage pattern is recreated accurately.

More than 160 parts, the Marder 1A3 is an exceptional model in this scale. Despite the abundance of detail et kit parts, the hatches in the rear fighting compartment are cast into the hull permanently.

Compatible avec ESCI, Hasegawa, Omega-K, AER, et CDC.

The required skill rating on the box cover places the kit in category 3 (medium), when it should be category 4 at least: the Marder 1A3 is difficult to build.

Stage 6: The applique armour plate (part No. 13) should not be mounted at this early stage, because the top edge needs to be aligned avec the engine deck later. First complete Stage 9, then paste the armour plate to the lower hull et engine deck at the same time.
Stage 7: The tiny track links need to be glued to the drive sprocket individually, making sure that there are no obvious gaps between the links.
Stage 11: The holes for the railing (part 27.A) should be drilled open to ensure a better fit.
Stage 12: Use glue only sparingly when cementing parts No. 31, 32 et 33 together. Otherwise the entire assembly may melt et collapse, as can be seen in the rear view of the véhicule below.
Stage 13: The semi-circular railings around the infantry hatches (parts 36 et 37) should be glued to their posts avec very little adhesive. Excess adhesive will flow onto the rear deck et spoil small detail in that area.
Stage 14: The rearview mirrors (part 39 et 40) should be cut off their mountings et glued onto the véhicule in the stowed position. Small parts like these tend to break off easily when the model is handled au course des jeux de guerres. Furthermore, the kit does not provide self-adhesive mirror foil which might be used to finish the mirrors after painting the véhicule. Standard operating procedure is to stow the mirrors during combat maneuvers, et this may be recreated accurately in miniature.
Stage 20: The antenna mounts should be drilled open et fitted avec long bristles taken from a paint brush.
Stage 22: The barrel of the 20 mm cannon should not be fitted at this stage, otherwise it will be in the way quand le système de missile antichar Milan needs to be mounted in stage 30. Make sure the Milan is properly in place, only then glue the barrel into the turret.
Stage 26: Part No. 70 is shown in the instructions as if it was just a rack for the ammunition box of the co-axial machine gun. In fact, the part combines the rack et the ammunition box, even if the latter is sculpted inaccurately. Refer to the picture on the box cover to see how the rack is mounted correctly.
Stage 27: The co-axial machine gun (stage 26) is not glued to the 20 mm cannon, therefore it will not move co-axially in miniature. If the Marder is used in a diorama the machine gun et 20 mm cannon should be aligned in the desired position et then glued to the turret permanently.
Stage 28 to 30: le système de missile antichar Milan (part 75) needs to be glued to the small parts of the tripod (part 72, 73, et 74) first. Allow the entire assembly to dry overnight before glueing the launcher to the turret hatch. The locating pegs on two of the turret periscopes are too small to insert securely into the underside of part 72. In addition, the weight of the Milan launcher will tilt the entire assembly forward during the drying process, et this needs to be checked et corrected until the glue has set. Milan may be fired from the véhicule ou from the ground. Accordingly, parts 73 to 75 should have been marked as optional in stage 28.
Stage 32: The rolled camouflage nets (part 79 et 81) should be mounted avec the wide end forward. Fill the unavoidable gaps between the net et the engine deck avec Rai-Ro Green Wax

The hatches in the rear fighting compartment as well as the écoutille du conducteur are cast into the hull permanently. If mounted crew et infantry figurines are to be shown in a diorama, open hatches will have to be scratchbuilt.

There are no crew figurines in the kit. Maybe Preiser will take the opportunity et produce crew et infantry for the Marder 1A3. However, any such kit would have to include new hatch covers avec interior detail, because the cast-on items will be destroyed when the hatches are cut open.

The protective covers over the headlights are slightly too thick. Expert modélistes will want to replace them avec etched brass parts.

Incorrect painting instructions in Stage 32: the tow ropes are actually bronze green at either end, only the section of metal rope between the tow rings should be painted iron colour.

Fleckentarnanstrich

View of the front left

View of the left side

View of the right rear

Rear view

Marder 1A3 from above

Revell’s kit of the Marder 1A3 is difficult to master even for the expert modéliste. The two editors of this magazine who built the three Marder 1A3 review samples did not enjoy the experience. The first model suffered all the mishaps outlined above, et the following kits were only marginally easier to build. The completed models are a feast for the eyes, but the many frustrations suffered in the process will be remembered for some time. Potential joueurs de guerre are not to be envied either: they will have to build three Marder 1A3 infantry fighting véhicules to raise a Panzergrenadier platoon ou 13 véhicules for a complete PzGren-Kompanie in accordance avec the current Bundeswehr TO&E of Heeresstruktur 5.

Questions Fréquents

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Véhicule de Combat d’Infanterie Spz Marder 1