Preview: Gecko Models' new 1/16th scale SdKfz 131 Marder II

Gecko Models' new 1/16th scale SdKfz 131 Marder II – a perfect-sized vehicle to be made up in 16th scale. We can see this one in France, Africa, France or Russia with plenty of stowage & equipment, battle-damaged & worn. We look at the vehicle & the kit in CAD to see what Gecko is offering in our preview...

Preview: Gecko Models' new 1/16th scale SdKfz 131 Marder II 

SdKfz 131 Marder II 

From Gecko Models

1/16th scale

Kit No. #16GM0010

The kit consists of plastic injection parts, a resin mantlet cover, a metal barrel & photo-etched metal.

Gecko Models Website

The Subject:

The Marder II was a German tank destroyer built on the Panzer II chassis, designed to counter Soviet armour during World War II. It combined mobility with potent firepower but suffered from limited protection and high visibility on the battlefield.

The Marder II saw action in North Africa. Some vehicles were transported by using the large Me-323 Gigant transport planes. This is a well-known propaganda photo of the type being regurgitated from the maws of this beast. 

Developed in response to the Wehrmacht’s early encounters with Soviet T-34 and KV tanks, the Marder II was a stopgap solution to Germany’s anti-tank deficiencies. Engineers repurposed surplus Panzer II hulls to mount either captured Soviet 76.2 mm field guns or the German 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun. This improvisation allowed for rapid deployment of a mobile platform capable of engaging enemy armour at longer ranges than existing towed guns. However, the open-topped fighting compartment and thin armour—just 35 mm at the front and 14.5 mm on the sides—left the crew vulnerable to small arms fire, artillery fragments, and harsh weather conditions.

Mass-produced version of the 7.5 cm Pak 40/2 auf Sfl.II, seen from above. 

Despite its shortcomings, the Marder II played a crucial role on the Eastern Front between 1942 and 1943. Its ability to deliver accurate, high-velocity fire made it a valuable asset in defensive operations and ambush tactics. Crews often relied on camouflage and terrain to mitigate the vehicle’s exposure, using its 40 km/h top speed to reposition quickly. Though eventually outclassed by more advanced tank destroyers, the Marder II exemplified Germany’s adaptive engineering under pressure and remains a notable example of wartime improvisation. Only a handful survive today, preserved in museums as reminders of the evolving battlefield demands of World War II.

The Marder II "coal thief", one of the most photographed examples, is recognisable by the cartoon painted on both sides, on the Eastern Front in 1943. 

Early variants of the Marder II, introduced in 1942, were built on the Panzer II Ausf. D and E chassis and armed with captured Soviet 76.2 mm field guns adapted for anti-tank use. These vehicles featured a high-mounted, open-topped fighting compartment with minimal armour protection—typically 30 mm at the front and 10–15 mm on the sides—leaving crews exposed to small arms fire and shrapnel. Despite this vulnerability, the Marder II offered a significant improvement in firepower over standard infantry anti-tank weapons, capable of penetrating the armour of Soviet T-34s and KV-1s at combat ranges. Its compact size and mobility allowed for flexible deployment, but the high silhouette and limited traverse of the gun made it best suited for ambush tactics and defensive operations.

The new kit from Gecko Models

The new tooling of the Gecko 1/16 scale SdKfz131 Marder II (Early Production) from Gecko is just the right size for a small tank to be scaled up, and with the open interior, you can include plenty of detail.

The engine is included in the front of the vehicle, and the full main gun is represented in detail also.

The full fighting compartment is included in some detail.

The storage racks in the rear are included and can be opened up.

The rear deck. You can bet that stowage will be laid thickly on this detail. There is plenty of room here on the flat surfaces to display, so that will be the order of the day.

A resin gun muzzle brake cover is included.

A metal barrel is included.

The workable suspension & tracks are included with this kit.

The kit will be available, we estimate, in December 2025.

You can find out more about Gecko Models kits on their website.