German medium tank Panzer III Pz. KpfW. Ausf. J COBI 2562 - World War II

You know that:

• Panzer tanks were developed in 1935 as the main battle tanks of the German army.
• From the beginning, the tank was designed as a modular kit, with chassis and turrets produced by various suppliers. In field conditions, it was thus easy to assemble working machines from damaged and non-mobile pieces.
• The Panzer III was equipped with a system for wading up to 15 meters deep for 20 minutes. The air supply was provided by an 18 metre long hose with a diameter of 20 cm suspended from a float.
• After the invasion of Russia, the Panzers encountered superior Soviet and British machines, sparking a dispute between the German Army and the Ordnance Office, which would not allow a larger caliber gun.
• Eventually, in the face of the Soviet Army's rolling T-34 and KV-1 armour, the tank was given a more powerful 50mm calibre cannon with a long barrel.
• Even with the more powerful gun, the machine was not enough to take on the opponents and there was no choice but to accept the fact that the Pz III was too light and small to incorporate an effective weapon, so production was discontinued in 1943.
• AUSF version. J was produced in the largest number and later versions were fitted with the KwK 39 L/60 gun and a reinforced 57 mm front plate.
• The tank was fitted with a Maybach HL petrol engine. Yes, this is the same company that makes luxury cars today.
• In total, some 5,774 were produced in various modifications.

Technical parameters:

• length 5.49 m, width 2.95 m, height 2.5 m
• weight 21 600 kg
• frontal armour thickness up to 57 mm
• propulsion Maybach HL 120 TRM V-12 petrol engine with a displacement of 11.9 litres and a power of 210 kW
• fuel tank capacity 2 x 150 l
• number of gears 6 forward + 1 reverse
• top speed 40 km/h on the road and 15 km/h off-road
• range 155 km on the road and approx. 95 km off-road
• wadeability 0.8 m
• main weapon Kw.K 38 L/42 cannon 50 mm calibre (99 rounds) or Kw.K 39/L60
• secondary weapon 2x MG 34 machine gun 7,92 mm calibre (3 750 rounds)
• crew of 5