The OFFICIAL Panzer III and Its Variants GB

Modeling Subjects Group Builds
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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.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-318-0083-30%2C_Polen%2C_Panzer_III_mit_Panzersoldaten.jpg

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*** GROUP BUILD PARTICIPANTS ***

Updated 9/23/12

Panzer III Participants Done Started
Panzer III Ausf A,B,C,D
Panzer III Ausf E telsono, streetfightingman X
Panzer III Ausf F satch ip X
Panzer III Ausf G Tojo72, geist XX
Panzer III Ausf H Phil H, stikpusher X
Panzer III Ausf J Initial armor86 X
Panzer III Ausf J Nachtflieger, armor86 (2nd) X
Panzer III Ausf K deafpanzer (2nd) X
Panzer III Ausf L MAJMike,DoogsATX,M1A1A2,carsanab,Jmart X
Panzer III Ausf M Shellback, BaBill12 XX
Panzer III Ausf N Hinksy (2nd), detailfreak (2nd), malone duke XX
Variants
Artillerie-Panzerbeobachtungswagen III dupes, malone duke XX
Bergepanzer III detailfreak X
Flammpanzer III dupes, the dude X
Minenraumer III
Sturm-Infanteriegeschutz 33B ogrejohn (2nd), bobbaily (2nd) Hinksy X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf A dupes (2nd) X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf B Chazzer X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf C/D Hinksy (3rd) X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf E bbrowniii X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf F bobbaily, Chazzer X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf F/8 deafpanzer X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf G Mjolner, AceHawkDriver, ogrejohn X
Sturmgeschutz III Ausf G 10.5cm a.k.a. StuH Ausf G 10.5 Panzerwaffe, terry35 X
Sturmgeschutlz Ausf G 42 Thunderbolt379 X
Soviet SU-76i DaveB X
Tauchpanzer III Phil H X
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*** BUILDERS ROSTER ***

Updated 9/23/12

Done

Started

deafpanzer

Cyber-Hobby

1:35

Panzer III Ausf K

X

deafpanzer

Dragon

1:35

StuG Ausf F/8

X

Detailfreak

Dragon

1:35

Bergepanzer III

X

Detailfreak

Dragon

1:35

Panzer III Ausf N

X

Hinsky

Tamiya

1:35

Panzer III Ausf N

X

Hinsky

Dragon

1:35

Sturm 33.B

X

Hinsky

Dragon

1:35

StuG Ausf C/D

X

satch ip

Cyber-Hobby

1:35

Panzer III Ausf F

X

satch ip

Dragon

1:35

Panzer III Ausf K

MAJ Mike

Tamiya

1:35

Panzer III Ausf L 50mm

Tojo72

Dragon

1:35

Panzer III Ausf G

X

Chazzer

Tamiya

1:35

StuG III Ausf B

X

M1A1A2 Tanker

Tamiya

1:48

Panzer III Ausf L

Phil H

Dragon

1:35

Tauchpanzer III Ausf H

Hun Hunter

?

?

StuG III Ausf ?

Nachtflieger

Cyber-Hobby

1:35

Panzer III Ausf J

DoogsATX

Cyber-Hobby

1:35

Panzer III Ausf L Vorpanzer

X

Panzerwaffe

Dragon

1:35

StuG III Ausf C/D

X

filthpig

Cyber-Hobby

1:35

Panzer III Ausf ?

malone duke

Dragon

1:35

Panzer III Ausf N

X

malone duke

Dragon
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* RESERVED FOR COMPLETED BUILDS ***

Our GB badge:

1. Geist: 1:35 Cyber-Hobby Panzer III Ausf G

!http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c229/ColSchmitz/Models/IMAG0270.jpg

2. Hinksy: Build #1 1:35 Dragon Sturm 33B

3. Hinksy: Build #2- Tamiya Panzer III Ausf N

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/Hinksy1/Models%20-%20October%202011%20onwards/PanzerIIINComplete221011034.jpg

4. Hinksy: Build #3 Cyber-Hobby StuG III Ausf C/D

5. Satch ip: 1:35 Cyber-Hobby Panzer III Ausf F

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab171/satch_ip/Panzer%20III%20F/IMG_0402.jpg

6. Panzerwaffe: 1:35 Dragon StuH III Ausf G 10.5

!http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad352/PANZERI/STUG%2042%20AUSF%20G/DSC00213.jpg

7. DoogsATX: 1:35 CyberHobby Panzer III Ausf L Vorpanzer

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy86/doogsatx/Cyber-Hobby%20PzKpfw%20III%20Ausf%20L%20Vorpanzer/file-17.jpg

8. Malone Duke: Build #1 Dragon 1/35 Panzer III Ausf N

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k593/malone123/S__F901.jpg

9. Malone Duke: Build #2 Dragon 1/35 Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf H

10. BaBill212: 1/72 Panzer III Ausf M

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad354/babill1/Pz%20III%20GB%20Nitto/PzIIIGB11111001.jpg?t=1320269697

11. Tojo72: 1/35 Dragon Panzer III Ausf G & DAK Crew

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x314/tojo72/Panzer%20III%20Build/DSC00426-1.jpg

12. Shellback: 1/35 Dragon Imperial Panzer III Ausf M

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/Shellback-01/Pz%20III%20GB/145-1.jpg

13. Dupes: Build #1 Dragon 1/35 StuG III Ausf A

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/cycledupes/StugIIIAFinal.jpg

14. Dupes: Build #2 Dragon Imperial 1/35 Artillerie-Panzerbeobachtungswagen III Ausf H

15. Stikpusher: Dragon Imperial 1/35 Panzer III Ausf H

16. Armor86: Build #1 Dragon 1/35 Panzer III Ausf J Initial

17. Armor86: Build #2 Dragon 1/35 Pz III Ausf J

18. Streetfightingman: Cyber-Hobby 1/35 Panzer III Ausf E

19. bbrowniii: Cyber-Hobby 1/35 StuG III Ausf E

20. AceHawkDriver: Dragon 1/35 StuG III Ausf G

21. Deafpanzer: Build #1 Dragon Imperial 1/35 StuG Ausf F/8

22. Deafpanzer: Build #2 Dragon Imperial 1/35 Panzer III Ausf K

23. Ogrejohn: Dragon 1/35 Sturm-33

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Reserved for my first post …he he [:P]

The box cover Art .

Parts.

For those that like more details .

Box cover back side .

Empty parts bags

food supply .

My wife if i spend to much time at the bench .

What i look like after several hours at the bench

OK then …the fun beggins (begun ) [B]

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Yay, I’m so excited!!! [proplr]

I’ll try not to post too many WIP photos, but here’s the kit. About 80% of it is still in bags. I’m about half done with the wheels. Sorry about the lighting in the photos. I’ll be taking most of my other photos in better light so that you can see more detail. [I]

!(http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae267/streetfightnman/Panzer III/IMG_8795.jpg)

!(http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae267/streetfightnman/Panzer III/IMG_8793.jpg)

!(http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae267/streetfightnman/Panzer III/IMG_8792.jpg)

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Also, I’d like to add that I used a circle template to mask each wheel for painting, a technique I picked up from the fine people on the fsm forums! [t$t]

8

ANDY!!!

Is it something I said? Did I not take a shower? Are my posts too dry??

I didn’t make the list…[:'(] Does this mean you DON’T want me to build the CyberHobby Stug III E (#06) that I intend to buy at AMPSEast in September and build for this group build? It’s OK man… if you don’t want me… I get it… I’ll just go…[:(((]

[;)]

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Boyd- NO WAY! I am not sure what has happened! [:$] I was thrilled that you were joining but why didn’t I update the list? Another blonde moment… yes I was born blonde and I am still little blonde! I am sorry about that. I owe you a pack of [B]… let me know if you will ever be in Indy area or when I am coming your way. LOL

The list has been updated! [:P]

10

Carl- I always loved that camo on the box cover… dark green spots outlined with brown. Now I am very concerned for your safety… you are limited to two hours of mobdeling on daily basis or your wife will go after all of us! [:S]

11

Mike- Try not to post many pictures? I am not sure where you got this… we love pictures! [:D] Looking forward to your WIP. I have the very same kit and I am planning to build it for this GB later this year. Good luck!

12

And here we go!

Up until last week I was 110% dead set on doing the Pz.Abt.502 units like the on the box. The Panzer Grey and kinda-sorta whitewash is really appealing. But now I’m zeroing in on this image:

Anybody know what unit/squadron that is? The, um, “White Parallelograms”?

Okay, well I’ve got time to decide. I’m not kicking the build off until tomorrow, but went ahead and dunked the sprues tonight, then put them in the oven outside to bake air dry. Here’s most of the sprues.

On Thursdays, the wife has yoga instructor training pretty much all night, and I’ve got the kids, which mean I also get bedtime! Our daughter, Lola, usually konks out pretty fast. But tonight, with all the excitement of pulling the Vorpanzer down off the shelf, she just wouldn’t settle down. Here she is two hours after “bed time”.

More tomorrow!

13

Signed up for the Initial Production J with the short 50mm gun … Dragon Smart kit 6463 has the early engine deck and have an Eduard etch detail set (35712) for the Pz. III Ausf J. The kit comes with only 2 or 3 markings for units operating on the Eastern / Russian Theater deployed in Oct - Dec 1941.

While working on the Ausf G I pickup two recently published Books (Panzers in the Sand Vol 1 and 2). Found several photos / pictures of early Pz III Js in DAK service. According to reviews of the kit (DML 6463) it does not come with the extra filters used in the tropical environment, or the kit instructions don’t call out the filters as an option. Found possible filters kit parts numbers (K16 and 17s).

Has any one build the kit before … additional at some point in the Pz III production every vehicle received the extra filters regardless of the theater it was shipped off too. The engine deck is different on early Js from late Js. Does anyone in the group have photos of Pz. III operating in Russia / Moscow theater in late 1941, DML instructions calls for overall German grey, however would have the crews white washed / painted the vehicles during their first winter. Reading about their first winter accounts, many supply issues were encounter, though they may have found / used captured material.

See several examples of winter camo in early 1942 and later. Looking around for any later 1941 photos of early Pz IIIs or IVs operating in Northern Russia.

Time to get washing in prepare to start the project.

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DoogsATX , the white “rhomboid” bar was carried on PzKpw III’s of the 11 panzer division . The 14 would indicate the 14th company . The 14K on the extra turret box would indicate the company commanders tank . I wounder what happened to the rest of the 14K tank ?

15

I’m still planning on a Stug, just have to figure out exactly what I want to do. Currently in the process of moving so Tankograd is going to be shut down for a few weeks. Once I get settled I’ll be making this my primary armor build (eying a 1/24 Airfix Mustang as well).

Looking forward to this, I think I’ll have to do a simple camo scheme, my compressor is far too loud for the new apartment.

16

The Stug III saw action in Tunisia, correct? I assume they were in an overall mustard color?

I guess I could just do something in Panzer grey as well, I actually have nothing in PG. Working on an early Tiger but I think it’ll stay shelved for a bit.

17

Thanks man! I’ve been looking into the 11th Panzer and haven’t had any luck finding a matching white rhomboid underneath the numbers like that - any chance of pointing me in the direction of more? Trying to get a sense, make sure I’m not missing any division emblems, etc.

18

The “K”, of course, indicates Kliest’s panzerarmee. Can’t quite make out other markings.

I probably can’t start until August. I’ve got a HO229 to do and a T-62 to complete. However, that will allow me to steal learn as many build techniques and tricks as I can from you guys.

19

Is that at the white Elephant ? About the compressor noise , have you thought about using a compressed air tank ? You can mount a regulator on it and refill it at a gas station …No noise !As far as i know Harbor Frieght Tools (corner of Sprague and Sullivan ) has everything you would need .

20

I’m filing an official protest…if Boyd gets a bigger font, I get a bigger font! [blkeye]

Tour De France starts tomorrow, so when I’m watching that and can’t do something on the Sturer Emil I’m finishing up, the Panzer III H will get rolling. I think that I’ve talked Mia into building the StuG III Ausf. A for me so I can just worry about painting the beast!

Done an awful lot of Panzer Gray lately…will be nice to do something in dunkelgelb.