Hello,

I recently started MK72's model of the Sdkfz 131 Marder II model.
For those who don't know, MK72 is a relatively new Swiss model company who has produced some models that have received very positive reviews.
It's owner, Peter Kuonen, is also a mastermodeler and a caster.
More at Henk's website :
http://henk.fox3000.com/mpk.htm

The model has some of the interion details as it's an open topped Tank Destroyer and to some extend some things are visible from the interior.
I have finished assembling and painting of the interior and the running gear.

The model presents a relative challenge and needs some planning how to assemble it and when to paint - weather it.
Experienced modelers should have no problem however.
The model parts are crispy, detail is good. Overall a fun model, I suspect it will be very nice in the end.

Some photos.









Tracks will be impossible to glue if the upper hull and lower hull are glued together. Furthermore, because of the small size of the model (remember it's based on the PzII chassis) weathering with the tracks on will be difficult.
So I decided at first to paint and weather the running gear.

TBC P.A.

Alexander, looks like a really nice kit. The painting and weathering done so far is top notch. Good luck with the rest of the build. Bill

@PanzerAlexander – Alexander,

That’s a nice kit you’ve got started there, looks well detailed and to scale it actually looks like a larger scale kit! You’re making good progress on this one. I like the tracks, you’ve already manage a little track sag on the return wheels, nice.

Happy Holidays,
~ Eddy

Bill, Eddy thank for commenting.

Just a small update.



The model is almost out of the box with the exception of the addition of a metal barrel from RB.

I also thinned down the side plates of the crew compartement to a more realistic scale effect as you can see in the photo.

TBC, P.A.

Some weathering on the side panels :



TBC, P.A.

Greetings Alexander

Your build is coming along beautifully and the suspension looks great! This looks like a very nice kit and I am impressed by the fact that the PaK has the double shield as most 1/72 kits don't.

Cheers,
Jan

Sweet little build Alex! I especially liked the markings, very cool!

The model look great and you have made a excellent work.

Best regards.

Thank you everyone for the comments.
I wish you happy new year.

I found out that I had installed the tracks the wrong way, unfortunately the instructions are wrong at this part.
Keep in mind in case you decide to build this kit.

P.A.

A wonderful job Alaxander ..
cheers.

Alexander, can't believe I missed this, I think I was too busy trying to finish this same kit for the review which was published about the same time you posted this... obviously spending too much time modelling, not enough on here!

I am very happy to see that we produced different finishes from each other, rather than the same one. I couldn't help noticing that on the interior shot of your model, I couldn't see the gun clamp that attaches to the breech end of the gun, the clamp that I broke and then had the disaster when I tried to make a new one, and in the end left it off altogether. Did you also have trouble with this part? It is very small and delicate...

Also interesting to see how you took a slightly different approach to building and painting the tracks. They are a bit of a problem to fit and paint, so now we can see two approaches... Anyway, your finished model looks great, and I think it shows that this is a very nice kit.

Cheers.
Matthew

Erhan, Matthew thank you for your comments.

About the clamp, it was the piece which was fitted last along with some other details. I did not have any problems with it, yes it is small and delicate but this is Braille right ?

Anyway I managed to finish it but before I show you pics of it I'd like to show you how I made my lightbox.

The idea of a lightbox is to spread the light in a more smooth way on the model.

What you need :
An A4 carton box (suits most 1/72 armor projects)
3 white A4 papers
some clamps
Staples and paper glue
A paper cutter/blade
a ruler and pen
3M tape
3 light sources to place close to the box

I visited a local photocopy store and asked for a A4 carton box which I was given for free. I removed the inner surface on the 3 sides and used vinil glue, common staples and the 3M tape to reeinforce it. I used the vivil glue to place the white papers and the blue backround in the inner side.
A pic from the construction


It took me about 30 minutes.
A pic from the photo session.

It's best to have 3 identical lights to create uniform lighting but I used whatever I could find.
The results are great the photos were taken in my dark basement and I used no flash. I beleive the result is rewarding.









P.A.

Thanks Alexander. Easy and useful.

Best regards.

Pedro.

Alexander,
Fantastic work on your Marder, a solid build of what looks to be a sweet kit. And your high-tech light box shows it off to advantage!

@PanzerAlexander – Alexander,

You’ve done a splendid job on the Marder II. I like how you draped the tow cable over the spare tracks at the front of the vehicle; this feature adds a lot of interest and looks realistic too, as does the guns stowed travel support. Excellent job on the translucent camouflage spots; looks effective and lifelike. Your little beauty looks amazing in your photographs, I bet it looks outstanding with the Mk I eyeball!

I wouldn’t worry too much about the tracks as the crews often placed them on facing in the wrong direction, this is true on Panzer III and IV vehicles too, and it actually adds a bit more interest and realism to the build. Good idea on the light box, thanks! I really like this kit so I’m off to read through Matthew ‘firstcircle’ lenton’s review.

~ Eddy

Except Alexander has managed to turn them around... which is remarkable!
On the gun clamp, yeah OK, it's braille, though I don't think it had been fitted in that shot, though I can see it now.
The tow cable does look neat; from what I can see you also added some modified tie downs around the top of the fighting compartment - a nice touch.

Thanks everybody for taking the time to comment it's appreciated.
Matthew/s review is very detaild I have read it too although after I had started this build.

The tie dows Matthew mentions are from an old EDUARD PE set I used to build a FAMO, they are the tie down the Famo has around the side ''doors''.

You cant imagine how often I end up using parts from old PE frets. Nowdays I never throw away PE even if I use all the pieces on a fret.

See you guys on the next project, P.A.