Germany's 3b/ZW1; Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf D; PzKpfw III Ausf D medium tank
PzKpfw III Ausf D: |
PzKpfw III Ausf D: |
The PzKpfw III Ausf D had a new suspension1 with angled leaf springs, new sprockets, idlers, and transmission. Had four fuel tanks, instead of two, but still contained same amount of fuel.1
Production
- PzKpfw III Ausf D: 30
- Production: January - June 1938
The PzKpfw III series production figures.
Usage
Used in Poland and Norway.1 Withdrawn before invasion of France.
| Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf D | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator 52,3,4 |
| Radio | FuG53 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 43,652 lb, 35,273 lb, 42,769 lb 16 tons2,3, 19.3 tons1,4, 21 tons5 |
| Length w/gun | 18'4 5.5 m, 5.41 m, 5.66-5.922, 5.923 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 8.08'4 2.44 m, 2.39 - 2.42 m2, 2.42 m3 |
| Width | 9.7'4, 9' 3", 9' 2" 2.81 m, 2.82 m2,3 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 0.38 m2 |
| Ground contact length | 2.86 m |
| Ground pressure | 13.2 psi 0.93 kg/cm2, 0.68 (kg/cm2)2 |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 37 mm KwK 36 L/45 37 mm L/46.52 37 mm KwK L/46.53 37 mm4 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 3: MGs2,4 3: 7.92 MG343 |
| MG - coaxial | 2: 7.92 mm MG345,6 |
| MG - hull | 1: 7.92 mm MG345,6 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 1212, 121 Pzgr & Sprgr3 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 4,5002, 4,500 Patr SmK3 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 10 - 304 307,8 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 14.52 30@9° 15@10°3 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 30@21° 15@20°3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 14.52 30@0° 15@0°3 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0° 15@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 14.52 30@10-13° 15@10°3 & 15@33°3 |
| Hull Top | 102 18@90° 10@73-90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 52 30@90° 5@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 152 30@15° 15@15°3 Mantlet: 15 round3 |
| Turret Sides | 14.52 30@25° 15@25°3 |
| Turret Rear | 14.52 30@12° 15@0-21°3 |
| Turret Top | 102 10@83-90°3 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 108 TR2,3 |
| Bore/stroke | |
| Cooling | |
| Cylinders | |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | 5 forward, 1 reverse.2 6 forward, 1 reverse.3 ZF Aphon SSG 76 6 speed ZF5 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical System | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 300 liters2 Use per 100 km of road: 182 liters |
| Road consumption | |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand.3 |
| Max speed | 25 mph4 40 kph3, 35 kph2 |
| Cross country speed | |
| Road radius | 103 miles 165 km3, 165 km2 Cross Country: 95 km2 |
| Cross country radius | |
| Turning Radius | 5.8 m |
| Elevation limits | -10° to +20°3 |
| Fording depth | 2' 8" 0.8 m2 1 m |
| Trench crossing | 8' 6", 7' 6" 2.3 m |
| Vertical obstacle | 2' 0.60 m |
| Climbing ability | |
| Suspension (Type) | Leaf spring2 |
| Wheels each side | 8x22 |
| Return rollers each side | 3 |
| Tracks (Type) | |
| Length | |
| Width | 0.38 m2 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | |
| Pitch | |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 2.49 m |
Sources:
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- 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
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979 -
- Tanks - Over 250 of the World's Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles, Chris Chant, 2004
