Ray_W Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 I am thoroughly enjoying my current MiniArt Grant build and now planning a follow up with a Panzer III in DAK Service. Two questions: 1. What model of Panzer III's were used in Desert Service? 2. Any 1/35 kit recommendations? Kit can be complicated (PE, multi-link workable tracks are all OK) so long as accurate or the modifications required are well known. Prefer well moulded textures such as weld, bolt and casting marks. Not mandatory just trying to reduce the workload in that respect. I have good access to Dragon, MiniArt, Tamiya, Takom and RFM. Aftermarket deliveries are currently awkward so prefer most in-the-box. Not mandatory if there is a great kit that still needs something - just preferred. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Going by memory, initially the most prevalent marks were the G and H. There might have been a few F versions, but all should have been upgraded with the 50mm main gun. The E mark could be present as a command vehicle, fitted with a dummy gun. Later would see the arrival of the J version, both short and long barreled 50mm gun. Still later in Tunisia, would see the Panzer IIIL and IIIN, the latter being a support tank. Great link here for photos of the first panzers that arrived in Tripoli: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/help-with-id-a-dak-panzer-iii-from-5-panzer-regime-t314989.html @AgentG is huge fan of this vehicle, so he should be able to fill any holes and correct any mistakes on my part. regards, Jack 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted October 21, 2020 Author Share Posted October 21, 2020 Thank you Jack @JackG within the next couple of days I hope to raid the local hobby shops here and hopefully pick up something suitable. Thanks for linking to @AgentG. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaoinas Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 If a complicated kit is not a problem, then I would suggest Dragon Pz. III. There are all kinds of versions on the market, DAK ones as well and the latest tooling is pretty accurate and goes together nicely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) 26 minutes ago, vaoinas said: then I would suggest Dragon Pz. III. Thanks for coming back on this. I had come to a similar conclusion. Now to see if the LHS has one in stock. I can't vouch for its accuracy, but the recent Academy Ausf.J also looks like a nice kit. Might be another option. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-13531-panzer-iii-ausf-j--1262484 Ray Edited October 23, 2020 by Ray_W More info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 The only negative I've seen mentioned about the new Academy kit is the track guide horns are solid, but should be hollow - possibly deliberately done to save cost on the molding. No actual build reviews yet, but the brand does tend to fit well together, and a reviewer mentions it's nice to see the kit is not over engineered. RFM and Border also does the J series, but is too new to have any reviews available. Takom only does the M and N series, but a build review finds that some poor molding creates fit issues: https://www.track-link.com/forums/site_blogs/43855/flat ------- Another possible option with the Panzer III chasis would be the Stug III Ausf.D - three of these served with the DAK in 1942. If I recall, the Dragon option is favoured over Bronco, though both are available in the tropical version. regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 @JackG Thanks Jack for the detailed reply. Checked out the LHS and their Dragon stocks nicely cuts out the North Africa period with the Ausf.E and the Ausf.K kits. I'll check the other LHS tomorrow. They usually carry RFM and Academy. I might give myself a little more time. Discovered today there is a Panzer III STGB starting in February. Have to do it then. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbow Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 I have the Academy Ausf J in the Mail. Should be here Monday. I’ll let y’all know what it’s like. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Hi guys, Can you recommend a kit for early Panzer III in DAK service (G or H) that is available these days? I know about Dragon kits from 15 or so years ago, but it is impossible to find them. Regular Panzer G or H with a tropical conversion set (if something like this exist) should also work. Thanks, Nenad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 You can try the Tauchpanzer. Quickly looking at the instructions, it seems it has the necessary tropical engine covers, 5cm gun and turret bin? https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Pz.Kpfw.III-T-Ausf.H.html regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbow Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 The Academy Ausf J is very nice. Mine arrived yesterday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 For the kit I had linked earlier, the cheapest I could find is here: http://www.models-4-less.com/Dragon135Armor.php A different H boxing and earlier G was found here, both at $53.59 USD: https://www.hqhobbies.com/collections/armor-1-35/products/dragon-1-35-pz-kpfw-iii-5cm-ausf-h-sd-kfz-141-early-production-6641 https://www.hqhobbies.com/collections/armor-1-35/products/dragon-1-35-pz-kpfw-iii-5cm-t-ausf-g-6773 All three kits appear to have common sprues, E fret contain the turret bin, while the tropical engine deck covers are found on the K. Models4Less was found listed at Missinglynx forums a while back. Neither of these webstores have I ever ordered from, so can't vouch for how good a service they provide. regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick4350 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 According to the now out of print book Workhorse, Panzer III in North Africa by Claude Gillono, Panzer III variants sent to Africa were Ausf F to Ausf N models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbow Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Mick4350 said: According to the now out of print book Workhorse, Panzer III in North Africa by Claude Gillono, Panzer III variants sent to Africa were Ausf F to Ausf N models. A metric ton of Ausf N models served in Tunisia. Both the 15th Panzer Division and SPzAbt 504 used Ausf N models in the conflict. Edited October 30, 2020 by Longbow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenad Ilijic Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 On 10/30/2020 at 1:03 AM, JackG said: For the kit I had linked earlier, the cheapest I could find is here: http://www.models-4-less.com/Dragon135Armor.php A different H boxing and earlier G was found here, both at $53.59 USD: https://www.hqhobbies.com/collections/armor-1-35/products/dragon-1-35-pz-kpfw-iii-5cm-ausf-h-sd-kfz-141-early-production-6641 https://www.hqhobbies.com/collections/armor-1-35/products/dragon-1-35-pz-kpfw-iii-5cm-t-ausf-g-6773 All three kits appear to have common sprues, E fret contain the turret bin, while the tropical engine deck covers are found on the K. Models4Less was found listed at Missinglynx forums a while back. Neither of these webstores have I ever ordered from, so can't vouch for how good a service they provide. regards, Jack Thank you Jack! This was very helpful. Just ordered this one: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/dragon-6773-pzkpfwiii-5cm-t-ausfg--222227 I found it on eBay (some store from Taiwan). I also ordered a set of Echelon decals with various Reg 5 and Reg 8 options. I checked the kit contents as well and it seams that all is there. Thanks, Nenad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 (edited) That is right on, Nenad. I was thinking of getting the same kit, but trying to resist building an even bigger stash. I do have in my inventory the earlier Imperial Series Ausf.G, but the detail is soft and some missing compared to the newer Dragon kits: regards, Jack Edited October 31, 2020 by JackG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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