There is a 2 minute exclusive sneak peek video of the Marder III Full Build (Part 2) down below for subscribers.
I have been busy with life, and in between more importantly to you guys I have been working hard on part two of my Marder III build.
It has been quite an intense journey, with an extensive amount of research about the interior of the armour plates in the fighting compartment, radio system and the periscopes. Not very easy information to find, I can assure you!
Small tight spaces to work with, tiny components to make all needing a place to fit on the model. I have even gone so far as to redo the lining connecting the plates together with new individual nut and bolt pieces!
The radio system on the Marder III H ausf. E was configured differently to the older Marder III's. It was mounted inside the fighting compartment next to the crew instead on top of the transmission shaft. It consisted of a Fusprech.a which was connected to the antenna, the transformer and a Kasten Pz. Nr. 23a intercom box. From there wires connected the intercom via conduits to the other side of the fighting compartment to a connection box where the crew could plug in the throat mic and the headphones.
All wires, plugs and conduits were scratch built as well as the transformer.
Basic diagram of the radio set up that I followed.
The original ammo racks were molded in and not very pronounced. I removed these and made new ones from scratch using brass sheet and added brackets to bring them out from the wall a little bit.
The tubes that held the rounds had little extensions at the end to accommodate the longer rounds with straps to hold them in place. These were made with brass and rounded to fit the mold with a ball mounted tool. I added straps made from masking tape with photo etch buckles as well as a photo etch strap to hold an MP-40 in place.
Although this photo is of the inside of a Marder III M, it is an excellent reference point for many things used on the Marder III H.
Bottom right is the ammo tube stowage, note the extensions and the buckled straps. The periscope brackets top right and the radio system in the middle.
I made the periscope brackets out of brass also making them functional so the periscopes can move up and down using brass pins with plastic end caps. I usually make something functional like that when I can't decide what position I want something in or I want options later on, also it makes a fun challenge for me being in the 1/35th scale.
I went with this design for the periscope brackets.
On the outside of the armour plates I replaced the stowage loops with photo etch ones and
soldered together an external stowage bin.
I finish up the video by making up the main gun, using an aluminium barrel and then dry fitting it all to the hull of the tank destroyer.
So while I am finishing the video please enjoy this exclusive preview of part 2 and I look forward to bringing the full video to you all soon.
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