Tamiya 35364 1/35 Marder III Ausf. M "Normandy Front"

World War Two (in action 1942~1945)
German anti-tank self-propelled gun (Panzerjäger - tank destroyer)
Marder I (Sd.Kfz.135) - based on French artillery tractor/armoured personnel carrier Tracteur Blindé 37L (Lorraine) + 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun. 170 built.
Marder II - based on Panzer II Ausf. D/E chassis (Sd.Kfz.132) or Panzer II Ausf. F chassis (Sd.Kfz.131) + 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun / modified Soviet 7.62 cm Pak 36(r) gun.
Marder III (Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62 cm Pak 36(r), Sd.Kfz.139) - based on Czech-supplied Panzer 38(t) Ausf. G + modified Soviet 7.62 cm Pak 36(r) gun. 344 built.
Marder III Ausf. H (7.5 cm Pak 40/3 auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf.H, Sd.Kfz.138) - based on Czech-supplied Panzer 38(t) Ausf.H + 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun. 275 built.
Marder III Ausf. M (Panzerjäger 38(t) mit 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 Ausf. M, Sd.Kfz.138) - based on Czech-supplied Geschützwagen 38(t) Ausf. M (a purpose-designed vehicle for self-propelled gun use) + 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun. The engine was moved from the rear to the middle between driver and the rest of the crew. Because there was no engine in the rear, the gun and the crew did not have to sit on top of the engine deck as in previous models. The fighting compartment could be lowered down to ground level (lower silhouette) 942 built.