TGBX19: Marder II Zug

With the introduction of the Leopard 2 main battle tank in 1979 a decision was made to develop a new infantry fighting vehicle with similar protection and mobility. The initial Bundeswehr requirements for the Marder 2 was the ability to transport seven troops, improved protection, a stabilised main gun for effective firing-on-the-move, and equal mobility of the Leopard 2 tank. In the mid-1980s the development contract was awarded to the Krauss-Maffei Company.

Compared to the original Marder, the Marder 2 is an entirely new vehicle, which shares only the name and general layout. The armored protection of the Marder 2 was rated to withstand a 30mm AP round frontally and a 14.5mm round at all other angles. This was achieved through modular passive armour bolted on to the hull and turret which were constructed with steel.

The Marder 2 weighs 43 tonnes, which is more than the initial production version of the Soviet T-72 main battle tank. Because of this reason the Marder 2 is sometimes referred to as a heavy infantry fighting vehicle.

This IFV is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with a fully-stabilized Rheinmetall MK 35/50 Rh-503 twin-calibre automatic cannon. This gun has interchangeable barrels and uses a universal breach and mount, and can be fitted with either a 35mm calibre or 50mm calibre barrel. Secondary armament consists of a coaxial 7.62mm machine-gun. The gunners sight has a thermal channel and laser range finder with an effective range of 2000m.

The Rh-503 uses 35mm or 50mm ammunition depending on which barrel is fitted. Both have APFSDS-T and HE rounds available. Its two ammunition types have separate belt feeds, which can be selected by the gunner using a switch. Rates of fire are estimated at 400 rounds per minute for the 35mm and 177 rounds are stored, plus another 110 in reserve. The Marder 2 is operated by a crew of three, a commander, gunner and driver. The Marder 2 IFV accommodates seven troops at the rear. Troops and crew enter and leave the vehicle via rear doors and roof hatches. There are no firing ports for the troops in order not to compromise protection of the vehicle.

The Marder 2 infantry fighting vehicle is powered by an MTU MB-883 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1000 hp. Engine is located at the front. This provided the Marder 2 the necessary power to keep pace with the Leopard 2 tank off-road.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 5x Marder 2 IFVs

These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted