Foghorn Leghorn Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 For some time I've wanted to do a Panzer III or IV Afrika Korps in 1/35th, but I want the version with the very short stubby barrel, apparently the 7.5cm L/24 gun, whatever that is! So far I've figured out there's the Tamiya IIIN but when it comes to other versions (WITH the short barrel) I'm getting somewhat lost. The IV D seems to be possible but then I come across different track widths which confuses things. I don't know if these desert Panzers had any specific equipment fit or not so I'm not sure if I could take the Tristar IVD Tauch, lose the snorkeling stuff and voila, an Afrika IVD. Can anyone point me in the right direction of what versions I should be looking for? Also, if you've got a suitable kit to offload I might be interested, I'm not bothered with super dupa detail kits. TIA Neil
pigsty Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 The Pz Kpfw III Ausf N was the only one that had the 7.5cm L/24. It was developed quite late in the war, mainly to support Tiger battalions. I don't believe any made it to Africa. All other Pz Kpfw III had 3.7cm or 5cm guns. The Pz Kpfw IV was a different vehicle altogether, despite being only slightly bigger. (I still tell them apart by counting the wheels - six for the III, eight for the IV.) All Pz Kpfw IV up to the Ausf F1 had the short 7.5cm gun. For North Africa you should be safest with an Ausf D or E. All will have had the narrower tracks, I think - the wider ones were introduced for the Eastern Front. I can't think of another obvious desert equipment fit so, potentially, that Tauchpanzer might be suitable as a starting point. But there's a wealth of correct variants available from Dragon, if you're feeling rich or don't mind trawling eBay. At all costs avoid the old Tamiya Ausf D kit if you want accuracy - although it builds easily enough and great things have been done with it.
Seahawk Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 The Pz Kpfw III Ausf N was the only one that had the 7.5cm L/24. It was developed quite late in the war, mainly to support Tiger battalions. I don't believe any made it to Africa. Some Pz III Ausf Ns did make it to Tunisia, supporting the Tigers of 501 Independent Heavy Tank Battalion. They operated without Schuerzen on turret or hull and it was long held that they were painted in a "pea green" shade (eg George Bradford's "Armour Camouflage and Markings North Afica 1940-1943"), but I expect that's been entirely rubbished by subsequent researchers.
alanmac Posted September 26, 2012 Posted September 26, 2012 (edited) Hi As has already been stated the Panzer III N did serve in North Afrika so you could use the Dragon kit which is based on that variant, kit number 6431. I have it unbuilt as yet but its a wonderfully detailed kit, and its the type of German tank Dragon excel at. Here is a link to Terry Ashleys review of it. http://www.perthmili...by/chc6431.html It's a little difficult to find and can be expensive but is available. As an alternative to that you have the Tamiya one. This is boxed as an Eastern Front with the box image showing it in white wash but it does include details and decals for NA. It is probably easier to build, not quite so extensively detailed and of course has the rubber tracks but is still a very nice kit. If you think you'd find the Dragon kit to fiddly, etc. and not enjoy the build maybe the Tamiya one is a better choice. You can pick it up for a good price on Ebay sometimes. Again here is Terry's review http://www.perthmili...a/tam35290.html Another alternative is the Dragon kit of the E variant. It will be as complicated to build as the N version, perhaps more so but also when it came out it was heavily criticised for many inaccuracies. To Dragon's credit they did rectify virtually all of them, in a new release (Vorpanzer variant) and in the first version - but never changed the boxing in any way, so you may get the old one or the new one depending where you buy from. I should imagine new kits in the shops are okay. Modellers selling off kits on Ebay might be a game of potluck. I found out about the errors after winning one on Ebay but came up lucky. Kit number is 6264. Hope its of help. Alan Edited September 26, 2012 by alanmac
bigh827 Posted September 28, 2012 Posted September 28, 2012 THe L/24 the 24 stands for how long the gun tube was, was used on the Panzer III N, based on rebuilt L, and new M tanks, and some earlier marks. As was said it was used on the Panzer IV A-F(German documents call the F2 with the long gun Gs). The L/24 was all so used in the Sdkfz 251C/D and the Sdkfz 250, the Stug III A-F, and both the early war eight wheeled armored car, and the all new eight wheeled armored car fielded in 1944. There was even a plan to mount the L/24 on a version of the Hertzer with an open top. Now with what you want help with, I have built the old Tamiya IV D, as both early war The Low Countries and NA, and it looks good, and builds fast, with out to much trouble.
Foghorn Leghorn Posted October 1, 2012 Author Posted October 1, 2012 THe L/24 the 24 stands for how long the gun tube was Now there's a man who knows his onions! Thanx for the info. Some say the Tamiya kit is ok, some say not. For me the choice will probably come down to price, shortlist so far is the Tamiya or Tristar.
Hepster Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Regarding the different track widths of Panzer IV types, A-E started off fitted with narrow tracks and F-J were fitted with wider tracks. Early versions still in use late in the war were refitted with wider tracks, as evidenced by a pic of a destroyed D in 'Panzers in Normandy - Then and Now'. Some pics of early D/E types show them without engine grills - these WERE fitted to Afrika Korps vehicles because otherwise they overheated.
bigh827 Posted October 26, 2012 Posted October 26, 2012 The Tamiya Panzer IV D has both the solid and hot climate engine covers. If you want to build one in 1/48, Bandi made a kit of the D but it only had the solid covers.
Peter Lloyd Posted November 14, 2012 Posted November 14, 2012 There is also the old (but nice) Italeri kit of the Mk IV F/G, It can be built as an F1 with short gun, and the kit IIRC came with Afrika Korps markings and maybe even some relevant figures.
bigh827 Posted November 14, 2012 Posted November 14, 2012 There is also the old (but nice) Italeri kit of the Mk IV F/G, It can be built as an F1 with short gun, and the kit IIRC came with Afrika Korps markings and maybe even some relevant figures. Yes, not a bad kit, have built it as the F1, F2, and G. The part of the main gun seen in the turret is make believe, but other than that keep the side doors closed and it looks pretty damn good.
AngloSaxon Posted November 14, 2012 Posted November 14, 2012 THe L/24 the 24 stands for how long the gun tube was Now there's a man who knows his onions! Thanx for the info. Just to further this and for future reference; the 24 length means that the barrel is 24 times it's calibre (24 x 7.5cm = 1.80m barrel length). This still applies to guns today. Mike.
Foghorn Leghorn Posted November 15, 2012 Author Posted November 15, 2012 There is also the old (but nice) Italeri kit of the Mk IV F/G, It can be built as an F1 with short gun, and the kit IIRC came with Afrika Korps markings and maybe even some relevant figures. Sounds interesting, might have to follow that up. Thanx for all the info posted guys.
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