{"product_id":"um-models-1-72-marder-iii-sdkfz-138-tank-destroyer-343","title":"UM Models 1\/72 Marder III Sd.Kfz. 138 Tank Destroyer (343)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMarder III: mobile anti-tank firepower in 1\/72 scale\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUM Models kit 343 represents the German Marder III Sd.Kfz. 138 tank destroyer. Combining a tracked chassis with a prominent gun and open fighting compartment, the Marder offers a distinctive alternative to a conventional turreted tank for your WWII armour collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHistorical background\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Marder III family was developed to give German forces mobile anti-tank weapons using the proven Czech-designed Panzer 38(t) chassis. The Sd.Kfz. 138 versions carried the German 7.5 cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun, providing substantially greater firepower than the original light tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat firepower came with compromises. The lightly protected, open-topped fighting compartment left the crew vulnerable to shell splinters and small-arms fire, so the Marder was better suited to firing from carefully selected positions than fighting like a fully enclosed tank. It illustrates the wartime drive to put effective anti-tank guns onto available tracked vehicles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn miniature, the exposed fighting compartment and angular silhouette make an engaging subject for careful painting and weathering. Set it on a dusty track or beside a concealed firing position to tell the story of a mobile anti-tank crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eModel details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManufacturer: UM Models (UniModel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: 1\/72\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubject: Marder III Sd.Kfz. 138 German WWII tank destroyer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKit number: 343\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eModel kit requiring assembly and painting. Consult the kit instructions and marking options before selecting a specific vehicle or unit for your build.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UM Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55306746626389,"sku":"UM-343","price":16.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/8287\/8805\/files\/103721-26775-85-pristine.avif?v=1791782161","url":"https:\/\/monstermodelsandgames.co.uk\/products\/um-models-1-72-marder-iii-sdkfz-138-tank-destroyer-343","provider":"Monster Models and Games","version":"1.0","type":"link"}