Bill Cross reviews Cyber-Hobby''s Pz. III Ausf. G.



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Thanks!

Please, do you know if with this kit can I build a G version of the Afrika Korps? it brings the corresponding spare pieces?
Many thanks.

Regards.

Edgardo Gil.

I believe that you can go with this kit for an early DAK III-G - but you may need to source some tropical engine covers from elsewhere (if they were actually retrofit to these G in N. Africa), as I don't think those will be in this box.

Hello Edgardo,

This kit is missing a lot of the nessesary parts for an African IIIG. First of all there were NO 37mm armed Panzer IIIs in Africa. Second the pics of the Very early Panzer arrivals in March/April 1941 especially the early Tripoli shots show the early Gs with the upgraded so called Tropical engine hatches already in place. Also of course you will need the proper Decals/Markings not in this kit. This kit also does not have the turret rear stowage box the so called Rommel box. As of yet Dragon does not release a proper III F or G for North Africa . They did upgrade the very Old III G kit from the 80s/90s with. New magic tracks and a couple other small new tooled parts and decent Afrika Korps figures kit 6263 the guys eating. This kit isn't bad , the front of the recuperator housing has very bad knock out holes a pain to fix and the Rommel turret box is very badly shaped. Most of the parts need are available now in After Market resin. If you have not purchased this kit as of yet I would suggest instead obtaining Dragon 6639 III G , this kit has all the parts ness except the Tropical engine hatches and Decals both readily avail on EBay I'm sure so 6639 is the closest new tooled G kit for Africa , again I am Surprised Dragon hasn't produced the F and G for Africa they have all the parts already just need to rebox it properly and add decals . I hope this info helps and you can Email me with any questions on the Pz III if you wish ( panzerstikeATcomcast.net ) I do have a large library on the III and enjoy talking about it it is my Favorite Panzer. Good luck on your project and have fun.

Brian

Many thanks Brian.
By the way I have a question about the Pz III but the adress site that you mention it doesn´t run.
Do you know if the panzer III have a turret basket in any of their diferent variants?
I have read some publications like Panzer tracts or the Spielberger book about the Pz III but to no avail.
In the Encyclopedia of german tanks (Chamberlain, Doyle, Jentz) there is a reference that says that the
Pz III have a turret basket since the H model and that was retrofitted then to other models, but this is the only
reference that I can find.
With the turret basket I mean that the turret floor must turn when the turret turn, like the Panzer IV, Panther, Sherman, Tiger, etc. in these last cases, turret and turret floor were connected in one piece.
In the Panzer III the loader must walk accompanying the turret movement, like the T-34.
In the Encyclopedia of german taks the authors says that this change occurs in the Ausf H when turret floor was attached to the turret and they move togheter.

Thanks again for all your information Brian.

Best regards.