Panzer III Ausf. N (Early Production of 501 s.Pz.Abt. in Tunisia)

The Pz. III N 04 from the HQ of 501 s.Pz.Abt.. 

The same Pz. III N 04 was crossing a shallow river.

Refer to this photo, it seems that climate and natural environment in Tunisia are far different from Libya. The crewmen worn the Autumn jacket suits and probably the temperature in winter of Tunisia was not high enough. 

The Pz. III N with tactical NO. 05 from HQ of 501 s.Pz.Abt.. 

Lt. Kodar was standing on the turret of Panzer III N with tactical NO. 07.

The major responsibilities for Pz. III N’s of 501 s.Pz.Abt. are reconnaissance, providing supports to Tigers and protecting against the attacks of enemy's infantry.  

The Tiger 112 with Pz. III N 113 at port of southern Italy. The photo was taken in late November 1942 before the first Kompany of 501 Abt. was transported to Tunisia. 

Pz. III N (113) and its crews.

My initial plan was to build this vehicle, however, the decal or masking tape of ‘113’ was unavailable in market. So I could only change my mind to build vehicle ‘133’. 

Another Pz. III N from 1st platoon (114), a half-track armored vehicle was in the front of Pz. III. 

The vehicle 124 and we can clearly see the Tiger insignia was painted on side of turret. 

The vehicle 133. A lot of toolboxes were placed on the fender. 

The vehicle 134 and crewmen. We could see the special toolbox was placed on left front fender (this toolbox was provided in Dragon 6431) and clean robs for 75mm L/24 gun.  

The vehicle 222 from second kompany of 501 s.Pz.Abt.. 

The Pz. III 232/832 which lost in battle of Hunt Gap during Operation of OX Head in February/March 1943. 

The damaged vehicle 832 that captured by US troops. 

One of the features for Pz. III N from 2nd Kompany of 501 Abt. were the jerrycan racks on turret. 

The American were collecting some souvenirs. 

The vehicle 242 was destroyed and burnt out in the second Operation of Eilbote. 

The British soldiers inspected the destroyed vehicle. 

A group of Pz. III N in Tunisian campaign. The Pz. III N has been widely equipped by 15 Pz. Div., 190 Pz.Abt., and 501 s.Pz.Abt. in late stage of African campaign.  

The boxart of Dragon 6431.

The initial released box of Dragon 6431 was really an excellent kit which included magic tracks, 12 jerrycans, extra toolboxes for 501 Abt., jerrycan shelves made by photo-etches, and some attached tools/equipments for Pz. III N in African campaign. Modelers did not need to buy after market products after purchasing Dragon 6431. However, this kit was no longer available nowadays. 

The jerrycan racks were made by wasted brass. 

Primer was done for both of them. 

One mistake that I made was I chose RAL8020 instead of RAL8000 as the top coat for Pz. III N from 501 Abt.; note that all vehicles from 501 Abt. in 1942 & 1943 were painted in RAL8000, useless for those replacement components which installed after they launched to Tunisia. (Just ignore that inaccuracy)