Tamiya Plastic Model Kit
German Tank Destroyer Marder I (1/35) 35370
This 1/35 scale model from Tamiya recreates the Marder I, a German tank destroyer built on the chassis of the French Lorraine 37L tractor. As German forces struggled with shortages of dedicated anti-tank vehicles in the early years of WWII, captured equipment was repurposed to meet battlefield needs. The Marder I mounted the powerful 7.5cm Pak40 anti-tank gun, giving German units enhanced firepower in theatres where Allied armoured threats were intensifying.
- Highly detailed upper hull with rivet and weld-line texture
- Includes full interior with gun breech, radio, shell racks, and sights
- Assembly-type tracks with realistic sag on upper sections
- Two crew figures included in alert observational poses
- Three marking options: Normandy (2) and Eastern Front (1)
- Compact footprint and historically accurate details throughout
Note: This model kit requires assembly and painting. Glue, paints and tools are not included and must be purchased separately.
History
The Marder I was among the first German tank destroyers to mount the effective 7.5cm Pak40 gun on an existing chassis. Built on the French Lorraine 37L supply carrier, around 170 units were converted from May 1942. These vehicles played a key role in German defensive efforts post-1943, especially in the aftermath of the Normandy landings, where they targeted Allied armoured vehicles from concealed positions. Though lightly armoured and vulnerable to return fire, the Marder I represented a pragmatic and lethal stopgap in the evolution of German anti-tank warfare.
