With overwhelming interest in doing the Panzer III and its variants GB, we are going for it and this is the official group build posting.
Since we are talking about many Ausf models and variants especially the StuGs, the GB will go on for a full year from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. It would be great if we can have each model built just like we saw in Marder Madness mini-GB earlier. So that way we can see all models and its variants at once at the end.
The guidelines for this GB are…
You can enter anytime from when it starts to when it’s finished
Any scale
Any aftermarket item
All kits must be unstarted or very lightly started
No crossovers of other GB’s
A badge can only be obtained for a completed build
Please do a WIP or post as much as possible… we [ht] photos!
Just have FUN!
There are so plenty of choices for us…
Panzer III Ausf. A, B, C, D - Pre-production models in 1937-1938.
Panzer III Ausf. E, F - Production models 1939-1940.
Panzer III Ausf. G - More armour on gun mantlet. Produced in 1940-1941.
Panzer III Ausf. H - Bolt-on armor added to front and rear hull. Produced in 1940-1941.
Panzer III Ausf. I - Variant mentioned in Allied intelligence reports but not an actual existing vehicle.
Panzer III Ausf. J - The hull was lengthened. Front armor increased. Produced in 1941.
Panzer III Ausf. J¹ - Equipped with the longer and more powerful gun. Produced in late 1941-1942.
Panzer III Ausf. K - Panzerbefehlswagen command tank variant with a modified turret.
Panzer III Ausf. L - Uparmored to 50 mm + 20 mm plates. Produced in 1942.
Panzer III Ausf. M - Minor modifications such as deep-wading exhaust and schurzen. 1942-1943.
Panzer III Ausf. N - Armed with a short barreled gun, re-equipped J/L/M models in 1942-1943.
And its variants…
Artillerie-Panzerbeobachtungswagen III - Forward artillery observer tank.
Bergepanzer III - In 1944 some Panzer IIIs were converted to armoured recovery vehicles.
Flammpanzer III Ausf. M / Panzer III (F1) - Flamethrower tank. Converted from Panzer III Ausf. M.
Minenräumer III - Mine clearing vehicle based on a Panzer III chassis with a very highly raised suspension. (Prototype only)
Panzerbefehlswagen III - Command tank. Heavier armor, dummy gun, and long-range radios.
Sturm-Infanteriegeschütz 33B - A close-support, Assault gun. Only 24 built.
Sturmgeschütz (StuG) III - Assault gun / tank destroyer armed with a 75-millimeter StuK.
The Soviet SU-76i self-propelled gun was based on the chassis of captured German Panzer III and StuG III.
Tauchpanzer III - Some tanks were converted to “diving tanks” for Operation Sealion.
MajMike- Your welcome… it is going to be fun! You can PM me anytime if you have any GB questions. But it will cost you 229 [B] everytime…
DoogsATX- AWESOME! I was hoping that somebody will go for this cool Vorpanzer so we have a very good chance that we will hit all models and variants now.
I can afford that. My Panzer III and after-market goodies should arrive from Spruebrothers tomorrow. All I’m lacking are the right color paints and the necessary skills.
Dupes- Welcome aboard! [Y] It is not a mandatory but It would be great if we can hit each variant… I think it can be done since we have a large number of interested builders. That’s why I am waiting to decide which kit I should order to fill in the gap. Leaning between Panzer III Ausf E and Ausf M since nobody has those unless you do. [:D]
Rob- Thanks! I am really looking forward to this… [B]
Chazzer- GB is a great place to learn and get help from others. That’s what I did when I returned to the hobby 3 years ago. It will be my fifth GB… wait a minute… sixth GB I think. [:P] Before you head out to buy a kit, check the list I am about to post tonight showing which variant is still available so maybe you can help us close the gaps if your store got them!
Guys- If you can look at the third list I recently posted next to GB participants. It is our official tracking list and it will help us keep better track what variants that are still available. With nine participants or more still undecided, maybe we can fill in the gaps if you haven’t ordered a kit or have those already.
Please let me know what you think… I am open to feedback to change or improve the list. Thanks!
satch ip- PERFECT! [Y] Now we can close two of the gaps. Yes, you can do F and I will do E. I assume you have Dragon 1:35 kit? I am going to order the kit today… now it is really looking good! [B]
Poked around the stash list, found all of my III - based stuff…available kits shown below. I’ll definitely be able to fill in one of the lesser-known versions! I just finished Sturm-Inf33b and StuGB’s in the past 6 months, so I’ll ignore those ones.
As far as the A-D, unless someone has a resin kit (Coree, maybe?) or conversion that I’m not aware of, we won’t be seeing any of those built up, unfortunately.
Panzer III Ausf J, J1, K, M
Pz.Beob.IIIH
Flammpz III
StuG III A, C, D, F (I’m sure I could make an E with a bit of research as well)
Dupes, I wish I have many Panzer III in my stash! Only two for me… I will let my wife read this so maybe she will let me order few more. [;)]
I agree with you about Ausf A-D… that’s why I put them all in one row and maybe somebody would be brave enough to step up or already has a resin kit.
If I was you, I would go either for Pz.Beob IIIH or Flammpz III. I am surprised nobody else has signed up for Flammpaz… it looked real good and easily available at most vendors. Maybe you can build second if you are interested later this year or in 2012.
