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Marder tracks
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 6:14 pm
by bryanrmassie
Hi All
I'm looking for a set of tracks that would match or look similar to a Marder/38T. I bought this model years ago but didn't know who made it, every time that I turn with it the tracks just break up as its been sitting a fair while and probably not in the best of conditions.
Any help would be brilliant
regards
Bryan.
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:08 pm
by Phil Woollard
Photos please Bryan! If the tracks break up then it must be MK1 crap ( now Mark Spencer who sells the range is a very nice chap indeed) which tend to rot over time! Change them out for Armortek and it will run just great.I would think panzer III or IV might do the trick.

Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:25 pm
by Adrian Harris
The only firm I can think of who made a 38T type tank was Spearhead Armour, who made a Hetzer. They sold out to Blitzkrieg Armour, who were also fairly short lived. I had a Hetzer hull and recall that the tracks on that were actually quite decent, as compared to the ones of the early Russian sourced models.
Unless you can find a secondhand Hetzer and rob the tracks, I think you're going to struggle to find replacements.
Panzer III tracks aren't going to work as the 38T/Hetzer uses a line of single road wheels, so has two horns to keep the track alignment, whereas the Panzer III uses pairs of road wheels, with a single horn running between them.
Adrian.
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:31 pm
by mark lawson
chunwai-model once produced the Marder though I think they no longer exist.
Niels Herman in Germany also produced the Marder and Hetzer, he is now bankrupt.
Speerhead models also now defunct produced a Hetzer.
the likelihood of finding the original tracks is not good, it may be possible to have tracks made but I expect these would cost some £1500 - £2000
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 12:09 am
by laurent ROSSET
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 10:40 am
by Adrian Harris
I had forgotten about this supplier

They do a good range of tracks, but the drawback of using manganese bronze is that the worn portions of the tracks will be orange in colour rather than silver.
Adrian.
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 10:59 am
by Gerhard Michel
Nils Hermann is back again, so I have heard. His insolvency period ended in October 2019.
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:11 am
by bryanrmassie
Thanks guys, I think it is a Nils Hermann one, it seems to ring a bell with me somehow. Laurent - that looks my best bet for tracks but pretty pricey !!
Adrian - that just might be the thing to do in finding an unloved Hetzer, they sometimes come up on evil bay so watch this space !!
regards
Bryan.
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 1:51 am
by Robert E Morey
Sadly heard that Martin Schneider, owner of Das Giesswerk passed away in October 2019. Really sad, his tracks were top notch. Not sure if his parts are still available - although website is still up. The parts he made for me were cast to order, ie no inventory on hand.
Best regards,
B
Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:49 pm
by Christoffer Ahlfors
Oh, no!

Re: Marder tracks
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 1:14 pm
by Adrian Harris
Sad news. According to the web site banner, they're not recasting, just selling off remaining stock.
Adrian.