Panzer III Tank

The Panzer III tank was considered a medium tank, and was
used in all theaters of the war.  Originally armed with a 35mm
cannon, it was used as a main battle tank through the early 
1940s.  Throughout its history, the armament was continuously
upgraded as Allied armor became stronger.  By 1941-1942, the
Panzer III was woefully underarmed for the tanks it was 
encountering - as a result, the latter years of the war saw
the Panzer III used primarily as a reconnaissance and command/
radio tank.

The version modeled here has a 50mm main gun, the standard
coaxial machine gun, and the radioman's gun.  There is room 
inside for the standard crew of 5; the driver, the radioman/
machine gunner, loader, main gunner, and commander.  The turret
has full 360 rotation, and elevation of about -10 degrees to 
+25 degrees or so.  There are two front hatches for the driver
and radioman, two side hatches on the turret, and the main hatch
on the roof of the turret.  The engine compartment also opens, 
though I have not detailed any of the engine.  

These features place it as a mid-production model - an Ausf J or so.   

The equipment carried on the chassis is representative of German 
vehicles during the war.  Extra suspension wheels are stacked on one
side, as are jerry cas for extra fuel and whatever tools, weapons, 
and materials might be needed.  Extra treads were commonly attached 
around the chassis; in addition to allowing field repairs on damaged
tracks, the crew also appreciated the additional "armoring" their
attachment provided.  In reality, the treads were virtually 
ineffective as protective armor.

Oh, yeah - the two dark rings around the barrel of the gun represent two
armored vehicles that the crew of this tank have destroyed.  In some
instances, crews would have to start using specially marked rings to 
indicate the 10s place, and then regluar rings to indicate the 1s.   

Yes, I do actually have this built ... due to a lack of any sort of
digital photography equipment, though, I don't have any pictures
yet.  Hopefully I'll be putting up some real photos soon, along with 
some other, less-grainy renderings.

shaun sullivan
January 18, 2001
shaun_sullivan@irco.com