AFV Modeller - Issue 22 - 3 - Improving the Breed - Panzer III

AFV/22 May/June 05

18/4/05

10:38 am

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Improving the breed

PANZER III

Jorge Alvear reworks the Tamiya kit Kit piece replaced Five pairs of missing

with plasticard as

drain holes drille d

when the upper part

along the upper ring of

replaced with the PE

are too sloped and it is too small. However

the cupola. Thes are

part the kit piece was

the detail is very oversized on the TMD bin,

missing from the kit.

too small.

Turret storage bin replaced with the TIGER MODEL DESIGN version. The dimensions of the Tamiya kit bin are wrong, the angles

so this was sanded off and the Aber latches used, the lid made from plasticard, and the hinges made from scrap PE. The rivets were made using a 25 gauge needle to punch them out of 5 thou plasticard.

The kit Grab handles are replaced with copper wire versions.

Weld seam placed where it was missing from the kit. All kits miss this loop at the top of the the turret hatch hinges. Axe repositioned according to the

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Weld seams are added where

location specified by Achtung

it was missing on the kit.

Panzer #2 on the Panzer III.

AFV/22 May/June 05

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Plasticard for the

Jack block is undersized

headpads on the

in the kit. I replaced it

cupola hatch covers

with one from the TAMIYA Tiger I mid kit which has the correct dimensions.

Weld seams replaced with Milliput after a trench was drilled out with the Dremel tool using a very small toothed disc. The seam was detailed using a tool I made following Lee Lloyd’s article in AFV Modeller Issue 13.

The toolboxes are from the DRAGON kit, these

Wiring for

are better than the

headlamps, siren,

Tamiya ones. Latch

Notek added.

detail and hinges are

Missing hex nuts placed,

from the ABER sets

using the Historex Punch and Die. The entire tank was textured using MR SURFACER 1000. This was stippled and allowed this to dry overnight before I used 450 grit sandpaper to sand some areas Turret side hatch latches

smooth and leave some areas textured.

MIG PRODUCTIONS lovely Notek lamps This set comes

replaced with the lovely resin

with two bonus

ones from the ROYAL MODEL

taillights, one of

Panzer III ausf L set

which is on the right rear fender.

Fender struts made with plastic rod.

FRIULMODEL drive sprockets are used because they are more accurate than the kit ones. 23

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Antenna holder is from

A JORDI RUBIO barrel

the DRAGON Panzer III

replaces the kit part. A

ausf M/N kit, it is better

weld seam is added

than the TAMIYA

around barrel

offering.

attachment to mantlet.

FRIULMODEL tracks used, they are much more accurate than the kit ones.

The Co-driver’s side viewport is moved back 3mm. The TAMIYA kit has the vision

Hull and coaxial MG

ports parallel which is incorrect. Model

drilled out. KARAYA tow cables to replace the kit ones, which have the

from their screws and bolts set,

looks better and I can use the PE

RM-034. The holes were drilled

TAMIYA Panzer IV On Vehicle Equipment Set.

ones I shaved off.

using the ROYAL MODEL parts

latches moulded on. This way it latches. The ends are from the

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Kasten bolts used to replace the four kit The turret screws were detailed

out to accept the screw so it would sit flush.

The frame for mantlet spaced armour extension is undersized in the kit. The VOYAGER MODEL frame is correct.

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Aftermarket kits used: Aber P~n7er III ausf L set AB35038 Aber PanzerZ III ausf J set AB35018 Aber Panzer III fenders AB35A14 Aber Roadwheel Rings AB35A52 Aber Hinges set #2 AB35A39 Friulmodel tracks ATL04 Friulmodel Drive Sprocket FRAW02 Caliber 35 conical rivets CA 35-35-007 Royal Model Panzer III ausf L set RM-167

Voyager Models Panzer III ausf M/N set VM-35005 Karaya tow cables KTC M02 Jordi Rubio Panzer III barrel JR68 Tank Workshop Brake Cooling Housings TWS 2061 Grandt Line hex nut bolts 127 Grandt Line wingnuts 162 Tamiya Pan~er IV On Vehicle Equipment set Tam35185

The fenders are the ABER set. They allow a lot of abuse to be

Missing conical bolts added using the

replicated and look great when

CALIBRE 35 ones, which

finished, but they require quite a

are nice as they have a

bit of effort to make and fit.

thread, so you can drill a hole to receive them

ABER hex nuts used as kit is missing these.

A hole was drilled through the hook and a wire ring made to attach the ABER chain.

Exhaust shield is from the ROYAL MODEL set.

Exhaust pipes drilled out.

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