If I replace the heads, can I use this set of figures for a pz.III in Afrika or were shorts the standard uniform?

Not sure about that set,but shorts were definitely not standard.

So long as I can go with pants, the figures should work.

Stug crews might be another story but looking through my meager collection, I think tank crews had tropical shirts/tunics rather than the double breasted jackets. Shorts seem to be a 50/50 thing.

Kimmo

Agree that the double-breasted jacket doesn't seem to show up in photos of DAK crews. Plenty of photos of both shorts and pants--often mixed in the same crew--but when it was pants they were more like slacks than the baggy trousers in that set. If I were going to speculate, I would figure crews would probably commonly shorts in garrison or when they weren't anticipating going into action soon, but would switch to pants when going into battle--marginally better protection from flames and debris flying around the compartment. Just speculation...

Just a general shorts/pants reference image.


Caption: "An assorted group of Afrika-Korps officers around their commander."
Photo for reference.

Does this help any?

—mike

No double breasted Jackets I think you'll find.

That is unfortunate. I don't know of any other set that has a driver in action.

I hate to"buck the trend" here but I think you are safe using the figs you have and here's why.
The pics already posted here show DAK guys in the high desert. At the end of the campaign in Tunisia the weather was actually pretty chilly and you see guys wearing overcoats and northern European uniform items,including even the wool toques.
This is one of those things like snow in the BoB,it depends on when and where.
J

Good point, Jerry.

Ref Mike's photo, while very cool, perhaps isn't all that enlightening since we have no way to know which are Panzer officers (vs. infantry, artillery, supply, etc.). That said, I do see a few of the baggy trousers there, which would seem to refute my observation of not showing up much in photos.

One thing is certain: there was a lot of variation in uniforms. It even looks in Mike's photo like there are some field grey blouses mixed in with the desert khakis.

Now, whether to kit bash, with the set Alan posted or go on the possibility that a crew could have been wearing the double breasted jacket. Thank you for all of the help.

The panzer wrap (that double breasted jacket) wasn't worn in the desert. The panzer crews just didn't have them or carry them. You look at pictures form 1941 to 1943 into the Tiger crews in Tunisia and not a panzer wrap among them.

There may have been a few in 10th Panzer or Herman Goering but it's really reaching. ICM and Miniart make panzer crews in shirt sleeves and baggy pants that make perfect AK panzer crews.










I know this because I face the exact same dilemma and researched and discovered the shirt-sleeve and baggy pants solution rather than shorts and bare chest.