1/ZW7
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf A, SdKfz 141:
| Gun | Ammo Type | Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 mm KwK L/4512 | AP12 | 30°: 2.8"@500yards12 70 mm@457 m12 |
||
| 30° 1"@1,000 yards12 31 mm@914 m12 |
Built by Daimler-Benz.7,12 In May 1937, 5 of the Ausf As became available and another 10 (chassis no. 60101-60110) weren't completed until the end of 1937. Eight of them received the 37 mm gun.8 The turret was built by Rheinmetall-Borsig. The suspension had 5 large double bogie wheels on coil springs.7,8 The drive sprocket was in front and the idler in the rear with 2 return rollers.8
The coaxial MGs followed the aim of the main armament.12
The radioman operated the hull MG.12
Used FuG5 radio.3
Usage
Tested in Poland, but withdrawn in February 1940.7
| Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf A | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator8 52,3,4,7,8,12 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 33,824 lb, 33,951 lb, 33,069 lb 15 tons2,4,7, 15.1 tons8, 15.4 tons3 |
| Length w/gun | 18.9'4, 18' 6", 18' 8"7 5.69 m3,7, 5.8 m2 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 7' 7", 7.75'4, 7' 8"7 2.34 m3,7, 2.36 m2 |
| Width | 9' 2", 9.3'4,7 2.81 m3,7, 2.82 m2 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 0.35 m2, 0.38 m |
| Ground contact length | 2.86 m |
| Ground pressure | 15.3 psi 0.67 (kg/cm2)2 |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 37 mm KwK 36 L/45 37 mm L/46.52 27 mm KwK L/46.53 37 mm4 37 mm KwK L/457,12 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 3: 7.92 mm MG34 coaxial (2), hull7,8,13 3: MGs2,4 3: 7.92 mm MG343 3: 7.92 mm MG, coaxial (2), hull12 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 150 Pzgr & Sprgr3, 1212, 1507 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 4,5002,7, 4,500 Patr SmK3 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 5 - 14.58 10 - 14.54 Front: 157,12 Side: 157,12 Turret: 1512 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 14.52, 14.5@817 15@10°3 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 14.5@69°7, 15@20°3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 14.52, 14.5@90°7 15@0°3 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 15@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 14.52, 14.5@77-80°7 15@0°3 |
| Hull Top | 102 10@70-90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 52 5@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 14.5@75°7, 152 15@15°3 Mantlet: 15 round3 |
| Turret Sides | 14.5@65°7, 14.52 15@25°3 |
| Turret Rear | 14.52, 14.5@78°7 15@0-21°3 |
| Turret Top | 102, 10@0-7°7 10@82-90°3 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 108 TR2,3,7,8 |
| Bore/stroke | |
| Cooling | |
| Cylinders | V-127,8 |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 2307 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | 5 forward, 1 reverse.2 6 forward, 1 reverse.3 ZF SFG 75, 5 forward, 1 reverse 5 speed8 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical System | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline7,8,12 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 66 gallons7, 79 gallons 300 liters2,7 Use per 100 km of road: 200 liters |
| Road consumption | |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand.3 |
| Max speed | 20 mph4,7,8, 21.7 mph 32 kph7, 35 kph2,3 |
| Cross country speed | 12 mph7 19 kph7 |
| Road radius | 93 miles7, 103 miles7 150 km7, 165 km2,3,7 Cross Country: 59 miles7 94 miles, 102.5 miles, 95 km2,7 |
| Cross country radius | |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation limits | -10° to +20°3 |
| Fording depth | 2' 8" 0.8 m2 |
| Trench crossing | 8' 6", 7' 6" 2.6 m |
| Vertical obstacle | 2' 0.60 m |
| Climbing ability | |
| Suspension (Type) | Coil springs2,12 |
| Wheels each side | 5x2, 52,7,8,12 |
| Return rollers each side | 27 |
| Tracks (Type) | |
| Length | 11' 1" |
| Width | 14" 0.36 m, 0.38 m2 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | |
| Pitch | |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 2.49 m |
| Production | Daimler-Benz12 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- AFV 2: Panzerkampfwagen III, Walter Spielberger
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
- Tanks - Over 250 of the World's Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles, Chris Chant, 2004
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