After successful trials, from 1970 the German army received 2,136 "Marder" infantry combat vehicles. In combat the "Marder" accompanies the tanks on the battlefield. The mechanized infantrymen who sit in the rear troop compartment carry out their battle mission both mounted and dismounted. They can jump on and off quickly through large rear hatch. To meet the increasing threat form modern combat vehicles such as the BMP-2, from 1989 onwards the troops had an upgraded variant which was equipped with additional armour and an improved turret among other things. This version, known as the "Marder" 1 A3, has three hatches over the rear troop compartment. The sides were fitted with additional stowing lockers and the original mantlets were removed. In an artillery battle the commander can use the 20 mm DM 6 cannon (BMK) mounted above the turret, a coaxial MG 3 A1 and the "Milan" anti-tank guided missile. The "Marder" is fully equipped for night fighting. The crew of the "Marder" 1 A3 consists of commander, gunner, driver and up to six infantrymen. The 441 kW 6 cylinder MTU MB 833 Ea-500 diesel engine gives the vehicle, with an approx. weight of 33,500 kg, a max. speed of 65 km/h.
Stockton Models Limited trading as Stockton Modeller.Registered office: 10 Silver Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1SX Company Number: 5799543 : Company is registered in England and Wales.
