I have a kit bashed Tamiya Pz III L I would like to back-date to a early J

Where can I find drawings of the Pz III J & L to compare

I’m mainly looking for the differences between the turrets and upper/lower hulls of both tanks to see what I have to add or take from the Tamiya kit

Billy

Good drawings are available on Tornado series and Squadron Signal books.
You can find some of these drawings on the net with Google (Pz III drawings).

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/92523.aspx

Backdating Tamiya Ausf L kit in a early Ausf J could be not very easy.
You must remove additional armor from the mantlet and front hull, add early style vision ports on turret front sides and 50mm L/42 gun, change completely layout of engine deck, remove exhaust shield and other small details.


I suggest you to use one of Dragon's kit dedicated at ausf J version, it should be more convenient (PE, Magic Tracks links included) and they offer possibility to make a early o late version.
Regards

I'd have to concur with Dario - you would be biting off a substantial amount of work and time and still may not be able to get where you want to be to your satisfaction.

There is a specific (and very positively-reviewed) Dragon Pz. III Ausf J Initial Production kit #6463, and a slightly different Dragon III Ausf J early production (Tp) kit #6543) kit available - both are excellent and should get you to where you wish, and probably either could arrive at your door from evilbay vendors for maybe $40 or so in the USA. Either could provide you a great base to build a host of specific early J tanks.

By me, time and effort are valuable - I'll skip endless hours of difficult reworking in favor of spending modest bucks to get a great baseline headstart almost anytime!

Just my opinion and suggestion, of course!

Bob

I think the Achtung Panzer books are the single best books to do work like this. After that, panzer tracts is very helpful with details.

After studying some drawings of the J &L I noticed the turrets (only difference being the side vision port) and lower hull are the same

I have the Dragon Pz III J 2n1 & Pz III J Initial Production kits

I can change out the long 50 for the short 50 from the Dragon Pz III J 2n1

I'm planning to use the Tank Workshop 50mm Barrel w/ Canvas Sleeve I have on the Pz III J 2n1

If I can find a upper hull I can use most of the Pz III L kit

Billy

I have a new conversion...

I just received the Tamiya Pz III N #35290 and sense it's the same kit as the Pz III L I have I'm going to convert the L into a N

Billy

Using Dragon kits/parts would be easier.