D.M.L. Dragon

20096 CAN.Do Series

Panzerkampwagen III “Pocket Army”

B - Pz. III Ausf. F (3.PzDiv. France, May 1940) 
1/144 Scale, aprx. L 1.5”

ABOUT THE SERIES

This series consist of seven models:

“The Panzer III was the backbone of the German Panzer Korps in the early stages of WWII. Over time they developed many variations. This Panzer III series features seven different variations of action tanks that the Germans used in WWII.”

20096-A (12%): Pz. III Ausf. E (10.PzDiv. "Blitzkrieg", 1940)
20096-B (21%):
20096-C (21%): Pz. III Ausf. G (PzRgt 5, 5.le-Div., North Africa, May-June 1941)
20096-D (12%): Pz.Bef.Wg. III Ausf. H (6.PzDiv., Russia 1943)
20096-E (12%): Pz.Beob.Wg. III Ausf. H (PzGrenDiv. "Groβdeutschland" Russia 1943)
20096-F (18%): Pz. III Ausf. M (3.SS-PzGrenDiv., "Totenkopf", Kursk 1943)
20096-X (4%): Tauch Pz. III Ausf. H (4.PzDiv., Russia 1941) --- SPECIAL , VERY RARE, NOT INCLUDED

**Not all items are produced in the same quantities. The percentages above represent the approximate master case ratio**

Can.Do 1/144 and 1/35 Pocket Army (by Dragon Models)

This line includes extremely detailed static military miniatures in both 1/35 and 1/144 scale. These items are sold pre-painted, pre-assembled and ready to go right out of the box. They include realistic camouflage patterns and weathering! Titles include tanks, aircraft, ships and figures.

MAIN FEATURES:
- Collectible miniatures;  Stunning detail on your fingertip;  Accurate camouflage patterns;   Realistic weathering;  Historically accurate;  Static pre-assembled models;  Limited release;  Made of high quality plastic;  Each comes with an acrylic display case with a base that imitated ground

It is a great way to start or supplement your militaria collection.  Inexpensive, very small but yet very detailed model with terrific paint job.  It is difficult to believe that such small models could be as good as they are.

Buying a set you will get the series and save on S&H that will cost you much less compare to an individually shipped models, in fact S&H for a one model unfortunately cost more than the model itself.

ABOUT THE TANK 

In 1935 Germans started to develop two types of tanks one with a high velocity gun designed to defeat enemy tanks and other with a high caliber gun able to fire destructive HE shell to destroy enemy artillery and infantry.  The PzKpfw III (Tank III) was designed for the first type.  First major production versions (Ausf.) E and F were accepted in 1939 with Pz.III was planned as a basic of the armored divisions.  First versions were equipped with 37mm gun, which was updated to 50mm, some E and Ausf. H, which still be unsatisfactory because its low velocity.  Ausf. H also introduced additional armor bolted to the hull and turrets and wider tracks to carry additional weight and a new gearbox.  98 took part in the invasion of Poland and 350 in the battle of France in May 1940.  By 1941 there were some 1500 Pz III, which performed well on early stage of invasion in Russia.  Although by late 1941 they encounter newest Russian T 34 medium and KV I heavy tanks it then become clear that both these tanks were impervious.  The Ausf. J was longer and had better protection and was designed to be easier to produce, some 2700 were built.  The ausf M was a further development and some 2600 were made.  It had 75 mm low velocity gun and was widely to as support to heavy tank battalions (sPzAbt) to provide HE support.

The Pz III Ausf F

Was manufactured by : Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN, Alkett, FAMO; 435 had been produced from September 1939 to  July 1940.  It had a crew of 5, armed with 3.7cm (37mm) KwK L/46.5 gun and one 7.92 MG34 machine-gun mounted in hull; armor hull and superstructure 30 mm front and side and 21mm rear, turret 30mm around, top 12mm; weight 19.8 metric  t.  It was powered by Maybach HL 120TRM engine with 300hp at 3,000rpm; road speed 40 km /hr 24mph with cross country speed at 11mph.  Ausf F practically was the same tank as Ausf E and was the first type (Ausf) for a mass production, but original order was cut to 250 because the order had been placed for improved Ausf G and H.  While most Ausf F were armed with 3.7cm gun about 100 were armed with 5 cm KwK L/42 mounted in external gun mantlet  From August 1940 until 1942 remaining tanks originally armed with 3.7cm gun were converted to 5cm gun with hull and superstructure up-armored by adding 30mm plates.  Last known Ausf F in service were with the 116 PzDiv in June 1944.

The tank looks very similar to Pz IV, which originally was designed as an infantry support tank, you can immediately recognize two by counting road wheels.  Pz III had 6 while larger Pz IV had 8.