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Post by ww2pictures on Jul 16, 2007 19:46:01 GMT 1
The Marder II came in two major versions. The first version Marder II (Sd.Kfz. 132) was based on obsolete Panzer II Ausf. D/E and Flammpanzer II chassis with Christie suspension. It was armed with captured Russian 7.62 cm guns. These Marder II had a very high silhouette (2.60 m high), thin armor of only 30 mm (front) and 10 to 15 mm (sides). There was no protection for the top or rear leaving the crew with very little protection. Alkett and Wegmann produced 201 Marder II (Sd. Kfz. 132) from early 1942 to early 1943.
The second version Marder II (Sd.Kfz. 131) was based on Panzer II Ausf. A to C removed from active service but later also newly produced Ausf. F chassis were used. This Marder II had a redesigned (widened) fighting compartment and used the German 75 mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun. The silhouette was lowered by about 40 cm to 2.20 m of height but the armor was thin and open to the top and rear just like in Sd. Kfz. 132. FAMO, MAN and Daimler-Benz produced 576 Marder II (Sd.Kfz. 131) from June 1942 to Mid 1943. 75 more were converted (probably by FAMO only) from Mid 1943 to early 1944 when the last Panzer II's were taken out of active service.
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