Academy - 1/35 - German Panzer III AUSF-J "North Africa"

Academy - 1/35 - German Panzer III AUSF-J "North Africa"

The PzKpfw III (Panzerkampfwagen III) was a German medium tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were produced in 1936, and serial production ran from 1937 to 1943, ultimately resulting in about 5,800 vehicles being built. The E version of the tank was powered by a Maybach HL 120 TRM engine with 300 horsepower. Its armament consisted of one 37mm KwK 35/36 cannon and two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns, all mounted in the turret.

The Panzer III served as the "workhorse" of the German armored forces during the early and mid-years of World War II and was one of the most actively developed and upgraded tanks in the Wehrmacht's arsenal. Serial production began in 1936, and throughout its production life, many variants were introduced. The first of these was the A version, which was equipped with a 37mm gun and a 230hp engine.

By December 1938, the E version emerged as the first widely produced model. This version featured a new, more powerful engine, a redesigned suspension system, and significantly strengthened frontal armor on both the turret and hull. From December 1940, the E version was also upgraded with a more powerful 50mm cannon, addressing the need for better firepower against evolving enemy armor.

In March 1940, production of the G version began, which introduced reinforced armor at the rear of the hull and turret. This was soon followed by the H version in October 1940, which was armed from the outset with the 50mm KwK 38 L/42 gun and featured reinforced frontal armor. One of the most produced models was the J version, which came with 50mm-thick armor - later improved with applique plates - and was eventually rearmed with the longer KwK 39 L/60 50mm cannon after German encounters with the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks.

The last major development was the N version, which shifted roles to serve as a support tank for armored grenadiers. This version was armed with a short-barreled 75mm KwK 37 L/24 cannon for infantry support. Beyond the main battle tank role, the PzKpfw III chassis was adapted into several other vehicles, including the famous StuG III assault gun. Panzer III tanks saw action on nearly every front of the war - from the invasion of Poland in 1939, the French campaign in 1940, Operation Barbarossa and Typhoon in 1941, the Battle of Kursk in 1943, and even during the final German defenses against the Soviet Union and the Western Allies from 1944 to 1945.