In Box Review of DML 1/35th Scale
German Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M/N, Sd.Kfz. 141/2
Imperial Series No. 9015
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1995
Out of production
I paid $20.00 for my kit when it was marked down from $37.98 years ago,
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1995
Out of production
I paid $20.00 for my kit when it was marked down from $37.98 years ago,
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.
However, as the Germans faced the formidable T-34, more powerful anti-tank guns were needed, and since the Panzer IV had more development potential with a larger turret ring, it was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun.
The Panzer III effectively swapped roles with the Panzer IV, as from 1942 the last version of Panzer III mounted the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 that was better suited for infantry support. Production of the Panzer III ceased in 1943. Nevertheless, the Panzer III's capable chassis provided hulls for the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun 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 Reichsmark (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-M: 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 Maschinengewehr 34
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300-320 litres
Operational range: 165 km (103 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.
However, as the Germans faced the formidable T-34, more powerful anti-tank guns were needed, and since the Panzer IV had more development potential with a larger turret ring, it was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun.
The Panzer III effectively swapped roles with the Panzer IV, as from 1942 the last version of Panzer III mounted the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 that was better suited for infantry support. Production of the Panzer III ceased in 1943. Nevertheless, the Panzer III's capable chassis provided hulls for the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun 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 Reichsmark (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-M: 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 Maschinengewehr 34
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300-320 litres
Operational range: 165 km (103 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
THE KIT:
DML Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is 3 ½” too long and 2” too wide. Creating a letter “L” void around the parts trees.
The box art shows a Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M/N passing a log-sided building on one side of it and a wood fence on the other side. There is a couple patches of snow on the ground.
In the background there is a river with a demolished steel bridge in it and a knocked-out polish 7TP tank on its shore.
The Pz.Kpfw. III is in a base of sandy-yellow with large dark-green blotch camouflage. It carries the no. 421 with the German cross on its turret sides. The tank commander is dressed in a black uniform with a black side cap. He is standing in the top turret hatch and holding a pair of binoculars in his right hand.
There are 3 German infantrymen sitting on top of the rear engine deck of the tank and 3 more infantrymen behind the tank.
All the infantrymen are dressed in field-grey uniforms with steel helmets and black jack boots.
One man seated on the tank is armed with a MP38 machine pistol. The other two and one of the men walking behind the tank are armed with Mauser 98K carbines.
The other 2 men behind the tank are a MG42 machine gun team. One man carries the gun and its bipod. The other man has an ammo belt for the machine gun around his neck.
One corner of the box art is shaded in blue with white “New 40cm (type Kgs. 61/400/120) tracks”.
Another corner says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains 538 parts. For modelers age 10 and over. The box contains one model of one armoured vehicle.
One side panel begins with a color illustration of the box art of DML’s kit no. 9014, a Stug, III Ausf. G, 75mm, Sd.Kfz. 142/1. Followed by the copyright for the kit as 1995, over DML’s street address in Hong Kong, China and kit was made there.
DML Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is 3 ½” too long and 2” too wide. Creating a letter “L” void around the parts trees.
The box art shows a Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M/N passing a log-sided building on one side of it and a wood fence on the other side. There is a couple patches of snow on the ground.
In the background there is a river with a demolished steel bridge in it and a knocked-out polish 7TP tank on its shore.
The Pz.Kpfw. III is in a base of sandy-yellow with large dark-green blotch camouflage. It carries the no. 421 with the German cross on its turret sides. The tank commander is dressed in a black uniform with a black side cap. He is standing in the top turret hatch and holding a pair of binoculars in his right hand.
There are 3 German infantrymen sitting on top of the rear engine deck of the tank and 3 more infantrymen behind the tank.
All the infantrymen are dressed in field-grey uniforms with steel helmets and black jack boots.
One man seated on the tank is armed with a MP38 machine pistol. The other two and one of the men walking behind the tank are armed with Mauser 98K carbines.
The other 2 men behind the tank are a MG42 machine gun team. One man carries the gun and its bipod. The other man has an ammo belt for the machine gun around his neck.
One corner of the box art is shaded in blue with white “New 40cm (type Kgs. 61/400/120) tracks”.
Another corner says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains 538 parts. For modelers age 10 and over. The box contains one model of one armoured vehicle.
One side panel begins with a color illustration of the box art of DML’s kit no. 9014, a Stug, III Ausf. G, 75mm, Sd.Kfz. 142/1. Followed by the copyright for the kit as 1995, over DML’s street address in Hong Kong, China and kit was made there.
The other side panel shows two sets of two color walk-around type photos of the model made up, with a short main gun barrel and a long barrel.
The long barreled one is the box art scheme. The short barreled one is overall sandy-yellow, with a white shield with a two headed black eagle on it on the sides of the turret.
The long barreled one is the box art scheme. The short barreled one is overall sandy-yellow, with a white shield with a two headed black eagle on it on the sides of the turret.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 11 medium-gray trees, 8 black trees, 2 die-cut clear sheets, a steel PE fret and the decal sheet in 8 sealed clear cello bags.
There are 2 instructions included.
The main instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 14” x 8 ¼’ page format.
Page one begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations. A number of parts are shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanation and a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo or Italeri brands of hobby paints in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 7 gives a grand total of 22 assembly steps.
Page 8 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a Pz.Kpfw. III two-view profile in the box art cammo of a base of sandy-yellow with large dark-green blotches. It carries the black turret no. 101. The cover-art scheme with turret no. 124 is not illustrated, but both 101 and 124 are on the decal sheet. The second 2-view is overall sandy-yellow with the German cross on the right of its rear hull with a white tactical insignia.
Both tanks were with the 3rd S.S.-Panzer Division “Totenkopf”, Kursk, 1943.
The second-instructions are in the same size as the main instructions , printed on one side. It is a painting and marking guide too. It shows two 2-views. One is a short barreled one. It is in a base of sandy-yellow with dark-green squiggle camouflage pattern It has a white shield with a black two headed eagle on it on the sides of the turret.
The second one is also short barreled. It is overall sandy-brown with no markings.
Both tanks were with 3rd Panzer Regiment, 2nd Panzer Division, Hungarian Army, Kursk, 1943.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-gray letter A tree is the hull top (1 part)
This kit contains 11 medium-gray trees, 8 black trees, 2 die-cut clear sheets, a steel PE fret and the decal sheet in 8 sealed clear cello bags.
There are 2 instructions included.
The main instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 14” x 8 ¼’ page format.
Page one begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations. A number of parts are shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanation and a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo or Italeri brands of hobby paints in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 7 gives a grand total of 22 assembly steps.
Page 8 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a Pz.Kpfw. III two-view profile in the box art cammo of a base of sandy-yellow with large dark-green blotches. It carries the black turret no. 101. The cover-art scheme with turret no. 124 is not illustrated, but both 101 and 124 are on the decal sheet. The second 2-view is overall sandy-yellow with the German cross on the right of its rear hull with a white tactical insignia.
Both tanks were with the 3rd S.S.-Panzer Division “Totenkopf”, Kursk, 1943.
The second-instructions are in the same size as the main instructions , printed on one side. It is a painting and marking guide too. It shows two 2-views. One is a short barreled one. It is in a base of sandy-yellow with dark-green squiggle camouflage pattern It has a white shield with a black two headed eagle on it on the sides of the turret.
The second one is also short barreled. It is overall sandy-brown with no markings.
Both tanks were with 3rd Panzer Regiment, 2nd Panzer Division, Hungarian Army, Kursk, 1943.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-gray letter A tree is the hull top (1 part)
Medium-gray tree marked with a small letter b holds turret parts etc. (20 parts)
There are 2 identical large medium-gray letter B trees. They hold: drive sprockets, idler wheels, shocks etc. (39 parts ea.) 31 parts are excess.
Medium-gray letter C tree is the hull tub part (1 part)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter D trees. They hold: road wheels and return rollers (20 parts ea.)
Medium-gray letter E tree holds spare wheels etc. (21 parts) 13 parts are excess.
There are two different medium-gray trees labeled F.
One holds: bogies, hatch doors, tools, jack etc. (20 parts) 10 parts are excess.
The other letter F tree holds: tools, the turret rear bin etc. (27 parts) 6 parts are excess.
Both F trees are co-joined to one of the 2 identical medium-gray letter H trees.
The 2 identical medium-gray letter H trees hold the main gun barrel etc. (43 parts) 7 parts are excess.
The other letter F tree holds: tools, the turret rear bin etc. (27 parts) 6 parts are excess.
Both F trees are co-joined to one of the 2 identical medium-gray letter H trees.
The 2 identical medium-gray letter H trees hold the main gun barrel etc. (43 parts) 7 parts are excess.
There are 8 identical jet-black letter I trees that hold individual track links (80 parts ea.)
Medium-gray letter J tree contains the hull and turret armor, mounting rails, glacis and mantlet spaced armor, etc. (46 parts)
Medium-gray letter K tree holds the machine gun ring, turret walls etc. (33 parts)
Lettering jumps to the 2 identical, letter L, clear die-cut plastic sheets. They hold the side skirt parts (4 parts ea.)
Letter MA is the steel PE fret. It holds 2 parts.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents. There are no figures included or clear parts. The detail is excellent.
I have added an accessory conversion set by Precision Models to this kit. It creates an open-topped version of the Pz.Kpfw. III. I will do the kit review for this set separately later.
Highly recommended.