Tamiya 35370 - 1:35 German Tank Destroyer Marder I

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German tank destroyer Marder I

The Marder I combined two things never meant to work together: the German 7.5 cm PaK 40/1 L/46 anti-tank gun and the captured French Lorraine 37L tracked carrier. The result was a light, tall and thinly armoured — but very dangerous — tank destroyer. Tamiya 35370 reproduces it from tooling created in 2020.

A highlight of the kit is the detailed interior of the open fighting compartment, with the gun breech, sight, ammunition racks and radio all reproduced. The tracks are of the link-and-length type, with longer runs on the straight sections and individual links around the curves. Two crew figures are posed watching the sky, and one of them comes with a choice of two heads.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the chassis, superstructure, gun and interior fittings
• Link-and-length tracks
• Two crew figures scanning the sky (one with a choice of two heads)
• Decal sheet for three marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35370
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: approx. 146 × 60 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-and-length tracks, interior detail)

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This kit is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The model is small but carries a lot of detail inside the fighting compartment. As that interior stays visible on the finished vehicle, it is worth painting and finishing it before the superstructure is closed up. The link-and-length tracks call for patience, but the excellent parts fit typical of Tamiya keeps the whole build within reach of less experienced modellers.

For painting we suggest a Dunkelgelb base (e.g. Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow) with green and brown camouflage patches depending on the chosen option; the instructions give Tamiya paint codes for all three schemes. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish. A wash will bring out the interior and armour detail, while pigments reproduce dust and mud.

Tools you will need:

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

About the vehicle – Marder I:

After the invasion of the Soviet Union the Germans faced a problem they had not foreseen: their towed anti-tank guns were too slow to keep up with the advance, and Soviet tanks proved immune to the lighter calibres. The stopgap answer was to mount the effective 7.5 cm PaK 40 on whatever chassis was available — including captured ones.

The Marder I used the French Lorraine 37L tracked carrier, taken in large numbers in 1940. About 170 vehicles were built in 1942. They were powered by a Delahaye engine of some 70 hp, weighed around 8 tonnes and carried a crew of four to five.

The open fighting compartment and thin armour protected the crew only against splinters and small-arms fire, but the gun could deal with almost any Allied tank. Most Marder Is went to units stationed in France and fought there in 1944, including in Normandy.

Original vehicle specifications (Marder I):

• Length: approx. 5.4 m
• Width: approx. 1.9 m
• Height: approx. 2.0 m
• Combat weight: approx. 8 t
• Crew: 4–5
• Main armament: 7.5 cm PaK 40/1 L/46 gun
• Chassis: French Lorraine 37L tracked carrier
• Engine: Delahaye, approx. 70 hp
• Production: approx. 170 vehicles (1942)
• Service: fighting in France in 1944

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in timber and wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first injection-moulded plastic kit. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the scale as a worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles anywhere. Alongside kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.