Bronco Models 1/35 Panzerjaeger II fuer 7.62 cm Pak 36 (Sd.Kfz.132) 'Marder II D' Kit First Look

By Dave Manter

First Look

As the war progressed the German Army converted many of its older tanks into self-propelled anti-tank guns. The Marder II was such a conversion. It used the Panzerkampfwagen II light tank hull with added upper superstructure to house an anti-tank gun and ammunition. It was built in two models, the SdKfz 131 and the SdKfz 132 depending on the model of the PzKpfw II used. Production started in early 1942 when Alkett & Wegmann produced 201 SdKfz 132 Marder II's from the PzKpfw IID/E hulls. All mounted the Soviet 76.2mm M1936 gun which had been re-bored to fire German 7.5cm Pak 40 Ammunition. These were followed by the SdKfz 131 based on the PzKpfw IIA/C/F models and mounting the 7.5cm Pak 40 in a modified superstructure. Marder II's served on all fronts, but most were issued to Wehrmacht and SS Panzerjager Abteilungen serving on the Eastern Front.

Bronco's kit of the German Marder II consists of hundreds of styrene parts molded in tan. All of the parts are molded to Bronco's usual high standards and feature incredible detail. There is no flash present and seam lines are minimal. Also included is a large sheet of photo etch detail parts and markings for no fewer than 9 vehicles. The markings included are:

• Grossdeutschland, September 1943 Russia
• Unknown Unit, Russia 1943
• Panzerjager ersatz-und Ausbildungseinheit
• Unknown unit
• LAH Div. in France 1942
• Wiking, August 1942 Russia
• 16th Inf. Div.
• H.PZ.Jg.Abt 611 in Russia 1942
• Grossdeutschland Panzer Grenadier Division, Eastern front 1942

The instructions are broken down into 35 steps and are well written and feature great artwork.

Steps 1-3 start with the lower hull and the driver's compartment. The driver's compartment has nice details and a detailed transmission is included.

Steps 4 and 5 have you construct the suspension and running gear. Detail here is high and there are a fair number of parts. Take your time to keep everything aligned.

Steps 6-8 have you added the details to the front and rear of the lower hull.

Steps 9-11 have you working on the fenders and all of their details. This is where the Bronco kits really shine as the details included really make the kit!

Steps 12-18 have you working on the upper hull detail and the interior details for the main fighting compartment. There are a lot of parts used here so follow the instructions carefully.

Step 19 is the construction of the individual track links. The detail here is great, both on the inner and outer face of each link. Each side calls for 94 links. The fit here is great and no problems should be encountered.

Steps 20-26 have you construct the upper fighting compartment. Take your time here as this is the structure that sets this vehicle apart from others. Test fitting of the main components shows that the fit is excellent.

Step 27 is the construction of the rear of the main fighting compartment. This is entirely made up from the photo etch parts.

Steps 28 and 29 have you assemble the main gun. This thing is a work of art by Bronco! Tons of details and excellent fit will make this gun really stand out!

Steps 30-32 are the assembly of the main gun shield. Again detail is amazing here!

The final steps have you finish construction and put all of the main components together. Bronco does also include a couple of highly detailed ammo boxes complete with shells.

Overall this kit is near perfect. Bronco continues to produce kits of such high quality, but yet is still very buildable. This one can be made into a real show stopper right out of the box! Highly Recommended!