Hi everyone,
This is my first build blog . Ok, I have started the kit already, but there's still a lot to do. The kit is the Revell-germany one in 1/35. I think it's the only one available for this vehicle.



The hull is built strait out of the box. Fitting is pretty good, with no real problem.





Problem begins with the fitting of the guns component. The filler is needed here.





Using the references photos, I decided to add some details using electric wires, styrene pieces and other items from the spare parts box. The tips of the guns were open, some missing weld line were added, chains for the smoke dischargers were also added. New handle was also added using the electric wire. Well , maybe not like a PE set, but I like the result so far..

Looking good. There is a Tamiya Marder I but it's probably a million years old and very inaccurate.

The Revell offering beats Tamiya by length. The only advantage Tamiya has is two crewmen and an engine. Strictly my opinion.

I built one of these and liked the kit a lot. It even had the first place for the DMOM Beginner/Intermediate a couple of months back, but compared to yours I guess it is rubbish. Your level of detail is amazing!

What did you use for the chain on the smoke launcer covers?

Keep up the good work!

Thank you for the kind words. I tried different material for the smoke discharger covers chains but the only one that gives me good result for the look is the one seen in my pictures. I had an old piece of screen, made of vinyl, no clue where it cames from, that I cut and trim to keep only a thread. You can not see it in my pictures, because it's not close enough, but the thread has some tiny beads in it that looks like chain links. I know there is PE on the market that offers chains replica, but for this project I don't want to use any aftermarket sets. I want to prove myself that we can come up with many details using everyday material ,without spending a fortune in aftermarket accessories

Interesting build. Not so often you see this kit finished. Looking forward to see your progress.

Erik

Tamiya's is a Marder 1A2, Revell's is a Marder 1A3, they are not the same versions. The Tamiya one is not really that bad. It was updated a few years ago. The engine is a nice touch. A full interior would have been nice though. I used the engine and modified it for an M7A2 B-FIST (Bradley-Fires Integration Support Team) vehicle.

Tamiya's is a Marder 1A2, Revell's is a Marder 1A3, they are not the same versions. The Tamiya one is not really that bad. It was updated a few years ago. The engine is a nice touch. A full interior would have been nice though. I used the engine and modified it for an M7A2 B-FIST (Bradley-Fires Integration Support Team) vehicle.[/quote]

I just assumed it was horrible given my experince with other kits of that era, even the updated and re-released ones. Their Leopard 1s were pretty horrible and that old Panther A was nothing to write home about either.

Your Marder is coming along nicely. I really like the extra detail you're adding without resorting to aftermarket sets.

Nice job on the details. I've always found Revell plastic to be brittle and hard to work with.

Elite Models has/had a complete 1A3 resin kit but the price is a bit steep. AFAIK, Tamiya has the only 1A2 and 1A0 kits. The guide teeth on the track in the Tamiya/Revell kit are both inaccurate.

The Tamiya 1A2 kit builds out nicely:


Paul

Paul, I also have the Tamiya kits on the shelf waiting their turn to get on the workbench. I did not get a close look at the kits, but can I expect some good details? It's Tamiya after all !

Back to my build. Now I'm working on the turret. I'm trying to add some detail that were missing from the kit. It may look rough but I think it will look fine at the end.

As stated earlier, it is very inspiring to see additional detail being added that did not come from an after-market set. I have found the type of styrene used by ROG to not handle sanding or scraping with the #11 blade very well. I'll get over it.....

Interesting build, Luc. You are making good progress on this and adding some fine detail.

I will follow your build with interest - thanks for sharing

I didn't attempt as much detail as you have done. I mostly fixed a few glaring errors like lack of support arms for the Milan platform, solid coax mg muzzle screen and some fit issue on the cannon mount to the turret.

Great little bits you added.

Paul

Hey Luc

Nice start on that marder. Great build so far. I have this one waiting for me in the future in the mean time I will follow your thread I wonder what setting you will place it in. Germans have a nice way of camoflage when the have field training ex's

Grtz Roel

Looking great so far.......

Hi guys,
Thanks you for your comments. Here is where I'm at with the project: I add more detail on the Milan launcher: I drill out the handle use for aiming as it is on the real thing, than the rear support was made with metal wire and styrene rod, and I also add a knob and some rivets. The plastic piece that goes over the turret vision ports was not covering all of them as it should, so I put a piece of styrene there to make it end like it should. You can see that I also add the carrying belt for the Milan. It was made with a piece of masking tape and the rings at each end of the belt were made with an electrical wire tread...

Here we go for another update ! This time I added the guards for the front light, detailed by adding some rivets, a scratch built horn ( is it a horn?) with his wire connection. A few other handles were added using electrical wire tread. Also I finished the assembly of the Milan launcher. Not a lot to do now. Here's the latest pics:

Nice details that you are adding. You are really taking this kit to the next level.

Thanks for sharing - looking forward to see more

Nice indeed! To the question with the horn: I'm not sure, if I got the right thing, but if u mean the one next to one of the front lights: its an additional electrical outlet. The Leopard tanks have the same.

Thanks for the comments guys. By " horn " , I mean the little round piece that is beside the front left headlamp. It was missing in the kit, but in my reference pictures I've seen it was there so I decided to add it using some piece of styrene. I'm happy with the result..

Hey Luc

Your progress is very nice. Great detailing of the kit. You don't see this marder being so detailed this much. I hope to get it as good as yours. Where did you look for ref pics? I will be waiting for the paint

Grtz and keep us updated soon!

Great amount of detail, makes me want to grab a new Marder and detail it just like you are doing.

Lucky me, my 230+ kits in the stash are screaming "NOOOOOO".

Back on the Marder again. This time it's the final picture of the components before painting. You can see that I have cut out the openings in the side skirts ( most reference pictures I got show them open) and added the retainers using styrene strip. On the upcoming pictures the paint will be applied.

Here it is , camo paint applied. I used the Tamiya NATO color ( green-brown-black). It's taking form.

Here I go again..This time the decals have been applied, the front and back lights have also been mounted and some details painted ( optics, lights, Milan launcher, markings). You can also see the first step ( medium wash with black oil paint) of my weathering process. More to come !