New Pz III Book - the definitive source at last

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:20 am

For those who attended Tankfest at Bovington at the weekend, there was good weather, Mark and Gill in great form, the Pz III and Tiger running (in 1:6 and 1:1 scale) and ...... the long awaited Panzer Tracts volume on the late Pz III variants (J,L,M & N).

If you haven't seen a Panzer Tracts, they are a slim 80 odd pages packed with the fruits of decades of research in primary sources by Jenz and Doyle. They have documented all the changes of build standard for the various Ausfuerungen and Hillary Doyle has provided definitive drawings in 1:35th and 1:10 scales. At last, there is a reliable source from which to confirm details and sizes, particularly if you aren't fortunate to have access to the real thing.

They describe a somewhat chaotic method of introducing modifications in production, which means that you really have to look at specific vehicles to establish the build standard if you want accuracy as there was little commonality within each variant.

I've found answers to a whole stack of issues such as when Bosch headlights appeared, why was the scalloping on the lower hull brackets discontinued (to simplify production, moving from a welded to a bolted frame) etc.

The publication is described here:

http://www.panzertracts.com/

and the advertising blurb goes like this:

Thomas L. Jentz
Now for the first time the defining features of each Ausfuehrung of the Pz.Kpfw.III have been correctly identified and when significant modifications were introduced correctly sorted out. This has been made possible by over 39 years of research in private and public archives, chassis number analysis, and the assistance of friends sharing rare photos of Pz.Kpfw.III with legible chassis numbers. Hundreds of hours were spent precisely measuring surviving Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J, L, M, and N components and over two thousand hours were spent in creating detailed as-built drawings. The authors have selected the unique approach of using 1/10th scale drawings to illustrate the smallest details, while six view (including right side and belly) 1/35th scale drawings are still used for the complete Pz.Kpfw.III. 80pp Over 120 scale drawings and 72 photos

Highly recommended.

Regards

Stephen

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:46 pm

Good news on this one Stephen ... I have been waiting on this volume . I will order one today ...Day

colin fairweather · Post by **colin fairweather** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:12 am

yes this is one good reference book i got it as soon as it came out great info scale drawings and pics all good

with the popularity of 1/6th modeling i'm amazed that no one has done a book with 6th scale drawings yet every time i scale the 1/10th drawings in paint they seem to come out 10mm too small

need to fiddle a bit more i think

colin

Rick Jensen · Post by **Rick Jensen** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:04 pm

Hi Colin

Thanks for the advance notification on this book. Just out of interest can you tell me the price of this publication. My local bookseller does not have it yet.

Regards

Rick Jensen

colin fairweather · Post by **colin fairweather** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:48 pm

hi rick

it is worth buying the price was $29.95 i got it from the uk i think it was around Â£17.00 well worth it saves on getting a load of books this one should cover everthing building wise

regards

colin

Rick Jensen · Post by **Rick Jensen** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:25 am

Hi colin
Thanks for the info. I just received the price......down here it is $71 95 or 31 .45 english pounds, need I say more?

Rick

colin fairweather · Post by **colin fairweather** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:09 pm

dam thats the pits

but it is is a must have

regards

colin

Jim Fowler · Post by **Jim Fowler** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:09 pm

I ordered the PanzerTract book on the PIII by fax just before the 4th of July Holiday on 07-02-2009 and it was promptly in my mailbox on 07-08-2009 - that was VERY FAST service!

I spent most of the balance of my free time since reading it - in between work, chores, and a little bit of tank building. While I think it is a good reference book for anyone researching and/or building a model of the PIII, I really don't see it as a singular or "definative" source..... One for the stack - yes....but maybe not the one on top.

I just want to be honest - especially when some of you are stating what it is going to cost you..... But, if your like me...its a Panzertracts and thus I had to have it.....

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:09 pm

Jim - since it was me who used the term definitive, I should justify it. I think it is definitive in one respect, that it is the most authoritative, comprehensive and documented source of drawings and listing of the physical characteristics of all the variants. It is authoritative because the authors used primary German documents and measurements of actual vehicles as their sources. There is only one other reference that contains some original technical drawings ie the Troica book which I listed on my earlier post on Pz III sources.

There are of course better sources for operational and development histories but I still think if I could only have one book as reference, I choose the Panzertracts.

Hope this is helpful.

Stephen

Jim Fowler · Post by **Jim Fowler** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:56 pm

Sorry Stephen,

I just can't give it the weight you do. I guess I should type some big response to explain my viewpoint (and I actually did) but its just going to sound mean and stir the issue and I don't want to.

You do GREAT work Stephen and I could never tell you how much your postings have helped me in my efforts. But, as with that front return roller placement - we differ a millimeter or two....(and, that keeps things interesting)