In Box Review of Cornerstone 1/35th Scale
German Panzer III HL 120 TRM Engine
Kit no CM 004
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 199X
MSRP: $10.00 back then.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 199X
MSRP: $10.00 back then.
HISTORY:
The Panzerkampfwagen III, commonly known as the Panzer III, was a medium tank developed in the 1930s by Germany, and was used extensively in World War II. The official German ordnance designation was Sd.Kfz. 141. It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside and support the similar Panzer IV, which was originally designed for infantry support.
Initially the Panzer III had the same 3.7 cm gun as the infantry used for anti-tank work but later models were given 5 cm gun.
However, this was the largest gun that could be fitted within the limitations of the turret ring and it was insufficient against Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. Instead the Panzer IV which had a larger turret ring, was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun and became the main German tank. The Panzer III effectively swapped roles with the Panzer IV; from 1942 the last version of the Panzer III (Panzer III N) mounted the short barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 that the first Panzer IVs had been fitted with.
Production of the Panzer III ceased in 1943 but the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun which had been developed from the Panzer III chassis continued in production until the end of the war.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic, Croatia, Norway, Turkey
Wars: World War II
Designer: Daimler-Benz
Designed: 1935–1937
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Unit cost: 103,163 Reichsmarks (Ausf. M)
Produced: 1939–1943
No. built: 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Mass: 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length: 5.56 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Ausf A-C: 15 mm all around, Ausf D-G: 30 mm all around, Ausf J-N: 50 mm all around
Main armament: 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G, 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J, 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J-M, 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary armament: 2–3 × 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM petrol engine of 300 PS (295 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300–320 L (66–70 imp gal; 79–85 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 165 km (103 mi), Cross-country: 85 km (53 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
The Panzerkampfwagen III, commonly known as the Panzer III, was a medium tank developed in the 1930s by Germany, and was used extensively in World War II. The official German ordnance designation was Sd.Kfz. 141. It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside and support the similar Panzer IV, which was originally designed for infantry support.
Initially the Panzer III had the same 3.7 cm gun as the infantry used for anti-tank work but later models were given 5 cm gun.
However, this was the largest gun that could be fitted within the limitations of the turret ring and it was insufficient against Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. Instead the Panzer IV which had a larger turret ring, was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun and became the main German tank. The Panzer III effectively swapped roles with the Panzer IV; from 1942 the last version of the Panzer III (Panzer III N) mounted the short barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 that the first Panzer IVs had been fitted with.
Production of the Panzer III ceased in 1943 but the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun which had been developed from the Panzer III chassis continued in production until the end of the war.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic, Croatia, Norway, Turkey
Wars: World War II
Designer: Daimler-Benz
Designed: 1935–1937
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Unit cost: 103,163 Reichsmarks (Ausf. M)
Produced: 1939–1943
No. built: 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Mass: 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length: 5.56 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Ausf A-C: 15 mm all around, Ausf D-G: 30 mm all around, Ausf J-N: 50 mm all around
Main armament: 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G, 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J, 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J-M, 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary armament: 2–3 × 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM petrol engine of 300 PS (295 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300–320 L (66–70 imp gal; 79–85 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 165 km (103 mi), Cross-country: 85 km (53 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
THE KIT:
Cornerstone Models is a resin model kit manufacturer, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They make all manner of resin subjects in 1/35th scale.
This kit comes in a blousy, navy-blue, end-opening type box. It has a color photo that is glued to the top of the box, that shows the Panzer III transmission painted up and atop a workbench.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet (no decals in this kit) will find their way past one of the end-flaps of the box, to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
Cornerstone Models is a resin model kit manufacturer, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They make all manner of resin subjects in 1/35th scale.
This kit comes in a blousy, navy-blue, end-opening type box. It has a color photo that is glued to the top of the box, that shows the Panzer III transmission painted up and atop a workbench.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet (no decals in this kit) will find their way past one of the end-flaps of the box, to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains seven tan resin parts of the engine in two zip-locked clear cello bags and the instructions.
One bag holds the main engine parts (1 part). The other bag holds the generator, engine side rails, pulley wheel etc. (6 parts)
The kit contains seven tan resin parts of the engine in two zip-locked clear cello bags and the instructions.
One bag holds the main engine parts (1 part). The other bag holds the generator, engine side rails, pulley wheel etc. (6 parts)
The instructions consist of a single white sheet, printed on both sides in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
The face side shows illustrations of the engine compartment and kit parts
location and the colors of all its parts. Cornerstone’s street address in Colorado Springs, Colorado is provided.
The face side shows illustrations of the engine compartment and kit parts
location and the colors of all its parts. Cornerstone’s street address in Colorado Springs, Colorado is provided.
The reverse side of the instructions shows 3 black and white photos of the interior of the engine compartment of an actual Panzer III.
The detail is very good.
The detail is very good.
Recommended.