Going through my stuff today, I realized I had enough spare parts from Dragon Panzer III kits to build another tank.

I was going to build an Ausf E with the spares, but I am missing the early cupola, and one of the return rollers that have to be moved toward the rear of the hull tub (Part J2).

If I used the parts that are unused in the Ausf E instructions, what variant do I end up with? I'm thinking an H.

Can anyone verify?

Thanks.

Hi Rich, it was a common practice to upgrade tanks that were return for overhaul with the newest materials. This was done so much that in a lot of cases the only way to tell which model a vehicle was, was to run down the actual chassis number. Taking that into account, I'd say build away and call it an upgraded E (if that is what you're starting out with).

Rich,

I agree with Bob in that tanks were returned to the depot throughout the war and were upgraded and either returned to the field or used for training tanks for new Soldiers. But there are some major features that will help determine what Ausf you have.

If the hull still has the escape hatches, that would be a J/L or before. If the main gun is a short barreled 50mm, that would be the J or earlier. If the rear deck hatches are smooth, meaning no raised vents, that is a E or F; the H had raised vents and the J and later had a different variation of vents.

But no matter what parts you have, just build it and have fun.

Good luck.
Kevin

Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe.

Now it's time to dig up some references, unfortunately my books are somewhere in a rubbermaid container, where exactly?

Even field repair had cranes to lift off turrets. So it's not inconceivable that an early (or late) tank could have a replacement late (or early) turret, just so long as the parts fit. Same with drive gears, idlers, etc. One junked tank was spare parts for another.