1:35 German Marder 1A2 Kit
Item #35162

DESCRIPTION
About the German Schutzenpanzer Marder I

The highly successful and sophisticated German Marder entered
active service in the early 1970's. It was designed under a
concept that departed from previous armored personnel carriers,
in that it is capable of offensive and defensive combat
operations. It provides good protection to its load of
infantrymen from small arms fire, and fallout from a tactical
nuclear attack. Designed and developed by the Rheinstahl Henschel
AG of Kassel, renowed for their formidable Tiger tanks of WWII,
the Marder became such a distinctive armored vehicle, it was
classed as a new category, and called the "MICV" or Mechanized
Infantry Combat Vehicle with NATO forces. The development of the
Marder dated back to the early 1960's when the first prototypes
were built for evaluation. These closely resembled in appearance
the HS30, then in service, and having a forward mounted turret.
However the powerplant was moved to a right-side midship allowing
a rear exit format for the infantrymen. Further improvements and
a redesign made radical changes and repositioned the powerplant
to the right forward section. The last prototypes offered in the
mid 1960's showed a sleek and sloped front section that provides
excellent protection. It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 6-cylinder
diesel engine capable of 600h- that allows a maximum road speed
of 75km/h. The Marder 1A2 is an upgraded version that features a
"Milan" anti-tank missile system. The Marder, with 20 years in
service, is continually being improved to meet the needs of
NATO's long-term strategy.