Tamiya 35162 - 1:35 Marder 1A2

1:35 plastic model kit of the Marder 1A2 infantry fighting vehicle

For decades the Marder was the backbone of Germany’s mechanised infantry, and the 1A2 version – with its MILAN anti-tank guided missile launcher mounted by the turret – shows it as it stood facing Warsaw Pact forces in the 1980s. Tamiya 35162 reproduces the vehicle in 1:35 scale.

The kit is based on a 1977 mould, supplemented in the 1993 release with new parts matching the 1A2 standard. It captures the vehicle’s low hull, the one-man turret with its 20 mm Rh 202 cannon and the MILAN launcher. Vinyl belt tracks speed up the running gear, and two figures help bring the finished vehicle to life.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and armament parts
• Vinyl belt tracks
• Fabric part
• Two figures: commander and driver bust
• Waterslide decal sheet for 3 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35162
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 194 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Note: This kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly is quick and simple – the vinyl belt tracks close up the running gear without any link-by-link work, and the parts fit is at the high level typical of Tamiya. It is worth painting the road wheels before fitting them to the hull, and leaving the smaller external parts, including the MILAN launcher, until the final stage so they do not get damaged during the build.

All three options are Bundeswehr vehicles finished in 1980s German army colours, with a dark olive base (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab); the instructions give paint codes for each scheme. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish. A wash and pigments will help suggest the training-ground grime that Marders spent most of their service in.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Marder 1A2:

The Marder was the Bundeswehr’s first series-built infantry fighting vehicle and one of the first of its kind in the West. It was designed to carry a panzergrenadier squad straight into battle, protect it with armour and support it with 20 mm cannon fire, all while keeping pace with Leopard tanks.

The 1A2 version, introduced in the 1980s, received upgraded equipment and – most visibly – a MILAN anti-tank guided missile launcher mounted at the turret. This gave the vehicle a genuine tank-killing capability rather than just an infantry support role.

Marders served with panzergrenadier battalions across the Federal Republic of Germany and were an everyday sight on training grounds for decades. The design proved successful enough to remain in front-line service long after the Cold War, going through further upgrades.

Original vehicle specifications (Marder 1A2):

• Length: approx. 6.79 m
• Width: approx. 3.24 m
• Combat weight: approx. 33 t
• Crew: 3 + 6 infantry
• Main armament: 20 mm Rh 202 automatic cannon
• Anti-tank armament: MILAN anti-tank guided missile launcher
• Powerplant: MTU diesel engine, 600 hp
• Top speed: approx. 65 km/h
• Range: approx. 500 km
• Operator: Bundeswehr

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company originally traded in timber and moved on to wooden models in the late 1940s. Its first plastic model kit appeared in 1960, and two years later came its first 1:35 tank – the scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, outstanding parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases covering vehicles, artillery and figures from around the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.