Rubicon Models > Work In Progress

The Panzer III Digital Library - Mid-War Panzer 200521

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Rubicon Models:
We have not started the Panzer III Digital Library yet, just some preliminary info, and may be a few line drawings, for data collections and comments only!

;)

Rubicon Models:
Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tanks

Panzer III Ausf A – 1936 - 10 units - Prototype; only 8 armed and saw service in Poland. Armed with 3.7cm KwK 36 L/46.5 main gun, 250 PS HL 108 engine.

Panzer III Ausf B – 1937 - 10 units - Prototype; some saw service in Poland.

Panzer III Ausf C – 1937/38 - 15 units - Prototype; some saw service in Poland.

Panzer III Ausf D – 1938/40 - 25 + 5 units - Prototype; some saw service in Poland and Norway. Armour upgraded to 30mm front, side and back.

Panzer III Ausf E – 1939/40 - 96 units - Suspension re-designed, switching from leaf-springs to torsion-bars, now using 6 larger road wheels per side. 300 PS HL 120 engine.

Panzer III Ausf F – 1940 - 450 units - Improved Ausf E, first mass-production version, late production armed with 5cm KwK 38 L/42 main gun.

Panzer III Ausf G – 1940/41 - 594 units - More armour on gun mantlet. Armed with 3.7cm KwK 36 L/46.5 (later 5cm KwK 38 L/42) gun.

Panzer III Ausf H – 1940/41 - 286 units - 5cm KwK 38 L/42 as standard gun. Bolt-on armour added to front and rear hull (30mm base + 30mm plates).

Panzer III Ausf I – Variant mentioned in Allied intelligence reports but not an actual existing vehicle. Possible confusion with Ausf J.

Panzer III Ausf J – 1941/42 - 1,521 units - Hull and turret front armour increased to solid 50mm plate. Some were produced with 5cm KwK 39 L/60 gun and later re-designated Ausf L.

Panzer III Ausf K – 1942/43 - 50 units - Panzerbefehlswagen command tank variant with a modified turret. Carried actual main armament rather than a dummy gun as found on other Panzer III command versions.

Panzer III Ausf L – 1941/42 - 1,470 units - Re-designated Aus. J equipped with long 5 cm gun, 20 mm stand-off armour plates on hull and turret front.

Panzer III Ausf M – 1942/43 - 517 units - Minor modifications of the Ausf L such as deep-wading exhaust and Schürzen side-armour panels.

Panzer III Ausf N – 1942/43 - 614 - Infantry support tank, armed with a short-barrelled 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 gun.

Command Tanks

Ausf D - 1938/39 - 30 units
Ausf E - 1938/40 - 45 units
Ausf H - 1940/41 - 175 units
Ausf J - 1941/42 - 81 units
Ausf K - 1942/43 - 50 units
Flamm - 1943 - 100 units

H0ffmn:
I hope that you make an earlier version of the Panzer III than the Ausf.L. Besides DML, UM,and a few 1/72 wargaming kits, the earlier versions have been overlooked in plastic.
I feel that you need a plastic  opponent for your Crusader I and II's, and your upcoming T-26's!

tyroflyer:
It won't be any surprise that I'd like to see a Panzer III that served in Poland. The Ausf E is the obvious contender although if you wanted to game the Norwegian campaign you'd probably like an Ausf D. It would certainly create confusion for those who identify Panzer III's by the number of road wheels!

Rubicon Models:


- After the basic screening of the Panzer III variants, we probably will skip all the prototypes and start the project with Ausf E/F.
- Will definitely look into doing all the main wartime variants, including the Ausf G / H / J.
- Then working on the late Panzer IIIs... Ausf K / L / M / N.
- Will do the Flammpanzer III Ausf M.
- Might do a command tank if sprue space permitted.
- Might include 2 half body figures.
- Might include schurzen... if so, will definitely be a 3 or 4 sprue kit.

Not going to discuss details yet, need more time to study each variant in depth. Hopefully will have all good features of the old Panzer III, plus enhanced options like open hatches and track details; and more guns and mantlet options!

Comments?
;)

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