Panzer III Ausf. J (DAK Version with L/60 Barrel & Spaced Armor)
One of the damaged Pz. III J’s of African campaign. Its left side drive sprocket and fender were fully fell off, while the rest parts remained in good condition.
No tactical NO. or divisional insignia could be seen neither on turret nor superstructure.
No tactical NO. or divisional insignia could be seen neither on turret nor superstructure.
The Pz. III J from 5 Kompany of 15 Pz. Div., there was no doubt that this Pz. III J was the first production batch of Pz. III with L/60 barrel, as its engine decks were still horizontally placed.
The photo should be taken sometime in spring of 1942, as the first wave of Pz. III J with long barrel launched to North Africa in March 1942.
The photo should be taken sometime in spring of 1942, as the first wave of Pz. III J with long barrel launched to North Africa in March 1942.
An abandoned Pz. III J after the battle of El Alamein. Unfortunately, I did not see the tactical NO. of this vehicle, so I have no idea about affiliation of it.
This Pz. III J did have a long barrel, but no spaced armor on its turret and front plate of superstructure.
This Pz. III J did have a long barrel, but no spaced armor on its turret and front plate of superstructure.
A fully destroyed Pz. III J from 15 Pz. Div. which inspected by British soldiers.
We could see the 20mm spaced armor was added on its front superstructure, but no spaced armor was installed on turret. According to reference photos, I realized in mid of 1942 a great number of Pz. III J’s with short barrel have been updated by adding 20mm spaced armor both on turret and front plate, however, many Pz. III J’s with long barrel did not choose to upgrade their armor.
We could see the 20mm spaced armor was added on its front superstructure, but no spaced armor was installed on turret. According to reference photos, I realized in mid of 1942 a great number of Pz. III J’s with short barrel have been updated by adding 20mm spaced armor both on turret and front plate, however, many Pz. III J’s with long barrel did not choose to upgrade their armor.
80% completed.
One of the drawbacks of Academy was that 2 meters antenna was too thick.
The jerrycan bracket was made by waste brass.
Done ~
Self-made RAL8000 versus RAL8020.
Commentaires
8 9 July 2022, 07:06
Album info
This is also a renovation project on my early purchase kit. Slight modifications are made on the vehicle, including the self made jerrycan case and bracket for spare tracks.
The previous top coat XF-60 dark yellow has been washed away and now the vehicle is repainted into RAL8000 based on reference context.
The Pz. III J with L/60 barrel was a large family that included multiple variations; its early production shared the same chassis and upper structure with Pz. III J L/42 barrel version and its late production was pretty similar to Pz. III L. In late 1942, all Pz. III J's with L/60 barrel were classified as Pz. III Ausf. L due to the logistics and repairing issues.
