Panzer III, open day pictures

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:37 am

Any chance , that some of you guys have some photos of the PZ III'S rear lower plate !! I would like to see the exhausts and how the idlers brackets are held onto the hull . Dale

Lawrence Godson · Post by **Lawrence Godson** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:41 am

Two more cents worth: Is it an optical illusion or does the turret rear storage bin need to be mounted higher on the back of the turret?

Derek Attree · Post by **Derek Attree** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:47 am

Hi Mark
I think it looks stunning

Thanks guys for posting pictures as I could not make it on saterday

Derek

stuart holden · Post by **stuart holden** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:20 pm

Dale jordan wrote:Any chance , that some of you guys have some photos of the PZ III'S rear lower plate !! I would like to see the exhausts and how the idlers brackets are held onto the hull . Dale

Hi Dale
this is the best i can do with the rear of panzer . there may be some better out there of the rear detailing . cheers stu

David Lee · Post by **David Lee** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:43 pm

Hi Antony,

I agree and hope Mark would consider splitting the commanders hatch cover too

. I saw this in the reference books for the L version.

Antony Rowley wrote: One other thing Mark, any chance of having the cupola commanders hatch split in two so my figure can hold each side as so many of the originals were

Jim Fowler · Post by **Jim Fowler** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:39 pm

I am sort of with Lee on the hatch. I don't remember ever seeing it as a solid single hinged assembly on a P3 before? Maybe I missed something?

Mark?

(It's still awsome work!)

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:12 pm

Hi guys,

The final version of the Panzer III was in fact equipped with a one-piece hatch just as Mark has built. I assume the same cupola and hatch used on Panzer IVs. Here's a photo of a about 5 of them surrendered to the British at wars end in Norway and they have the one-piece cupola hatch.

I'm sure making your own two-piece hatch if you wish to represent an earlier production model wouldn't be too much trouble.

Will turret and hull Schurtzen be available for these? I wish I had the money to get one of these. Really cool looking and neat, smaller size.

kind regards

Tim

Antony Rowley · Post by **Antony Rowley** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:12 pm

Hi Tim,

Quite right the Ausf N looks like it had a one piece hatch but I'm quite sure that the Ausf L had the 2 piece. I agree changing it will be quite easy as is the side visor. By the way great photo

There are going to be a lot of variants we build that's one of the reasons it is a great choice for a tank

.

Thanks Antony

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:50 pm

Thanks for the photos everyone . The hull on this machine is the early L version because of the hull escape hatch . Which give us a lot of scope for other models. One thing I hope Mark adds to the kit is the two cone shape pistol ports either side of the turret rear plate next to the turret bin ... This was on all PZ III. With my PZ III . I'm going to do a DAK ' Ausf. N 'support tank . I will add smoke dischargers move the lights from the fenders to the front hull plate . Make a brass a stowage rack for the rear deck add lots stowage , water filled jerry cans on the turret roof . Then I will let Noel paint the model with a grey base coat . Mask up the Africa core logo . Re spray with Africa brown then paint red numbers on the turret with white out lines .Lots of worn paint ,paint chips and lots of dust .. I can see it already . How about the other PZ III owners what ideas do you have for your machine Please tell ... Dale

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:42 am

There was something that did not look right with the running gear . I've been looking at it on and off all day .. I now know what it was !!! Simple to fix , Mark just put the tracks on back to front that's all . Easly done ... Dale

Jim Fowler · Post by **Jim Fowler** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:03 pm

Tim Bowman's picture is showing the one-piece hatch on Panzer 3Ns . Look closely and you will note the stubby 75mm gun. The turret for the Ns was modified to take the up-gun, some P4 components were included - I guess the cupola/cupola hatch was one. But, this model is supossed to be of an L - as per the product description. Guys, I have not found a PIC yet of an L with a one-piece hatch - sorry.

Yes, I can make a split hatch...but....its just...OK, I will go with it.

I do find Jordan's gameplan intriguing...... But, I sort of wanted to stick to the L as it would make a good partner for the Stu - thought about possible back dating to a G....but, the turret would need some major rework - not sure I could render that on in metal?

Post by **Armortek** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:10 pm

Gentlemen

Thank you for the feedback on the Panzer III.
I'm sure that the longer you look at the pictures and the model, the more detail variations you will find. We try to get as many details included and correct as we can, without ending up with a model that would be so expensive that no one would buy it. Manufacturing of parts for this model is now complete and they are sold out. I'm sure that the small minority of those who require more accuracy will see an opportunity for them to add to, and modify this already excellent kit.

Mark

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:23 am

Mark,
While the PzIII isn't my favorite tank

The model is indeed stunning. Something about bare, gleaming, freshly machined aluminum! Nicely designed and executed. As an engineer I'm impressed by the evolution in detail and precision <not to mention time to market> that is made with every new release.

To those wishing for more detail. Buy a model and you can spend a lifetime detailiing them up. The possibility of detailing and creating more things to put on them is endless. Besides half the fun of building them -is creating detail parts and pieces yourself.

Thanks Armortek for answering more than one tank nut's dream.
Bob

Lawrence Godson · Post by **Lawrence Godson** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:35 pm

I also am very impressed with the model and the amazingly short development time that has now been achieved by Armortek. Used to be not so many years ago we would get all excited when someone decided that they were going to produce a 1/6 model and then be frustrated for years on end with lack of progress. It is most likely difficult to consult with us all on a sort of "proof reading" of the model before production because a certain security is required in the business. I'm sure our comments and suggestions are taken in the spirit that they are given...and who knows perhaps occasionally we will find something at a time such that it can be changed without unduly reducing the very necessary profit margin that must be achieved in order for Mark and Gill to continue to produce these sturdy models that we all wait for eagerly each year.
Thanks again for a great group of models and hope to see many more in the years to come.

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:03 am

Well said Lawrence .. This is the best straight out of the box 1/6 scale kit by far !!!! . It's a real credit to Mark to draw up design and machine then pack and count all these parts in a short time span from scratch . Now they have to push the machine buttoms for the king tiger . I don't know how they do it . Maybe Gill and Mark need to come to Australia for a holiday . . Where will this end . Whats next ??? Dale