7/ZW7
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf H:

Sofia, 1941
German PzKpfw III Ausf H
Imperial War Museum

Russia, summer 1941. PzKpfw III Ausf H on left, PzKpfw III Ausf J on right.
German Pzkpfw III Ausf H and Ausf J
Imperial War Museum

Captured by the Russians on December 4, 1942
Germany's PzKpfw III Ausf H

Germany's PzKpfw III Ausf H

Germany's PzKpfw III Ausf H

Germany's PzKpfw III Ausf H

Germany's PzKpfw III Ausf H

Diecast 1/72 Armor
Admiral Toys
72002:
Admiral Toys 1/72 Diecast Armor 72002, German PzKpfw III Ausf H

An initial order of 759 were placed on January 1939. The turret was redesigned to accommodate the 50 mm KwK 38 L/42. Also a turret basket was fitted for first time in this model series.

Additional 30 mm plates were bolted to the upper and lower nose-plates.7 The tracks were widened to distribute the extra weight.7,8 Rear plate on the turret was made one piece and this eliminated bulge below commander's hatch. New sprockets, idler wheels, and reshaped shock absorbers were added.8 The 1st return roller was moved a little forward to help distribute the heavier track's weight better.8

Some of the late production vehicles had a 50 mm L/60 installed.8

Used FuG5 radio.3

  Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf H
Crew Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator
52,3,4
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 47,619 lb, 43,600 lb
21.5 tons2, 21.6 tons7, 21.8 tons3, 26.6 tons4
Length w/gun 18' 1", 18.33'4
5.38 m2, 5.41 m3, 5.52 m
Length w/o gun  
Height 8', 9' 8", 8.33'4
2.44 m3, 2.5 m2
Width 9' 6", 9.8'4
2.95 m2,3
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance 8 cm, 0.38 m2
Ground contact length 2.86 m
Ground pressure 13.5 psi,
0.97 (kg/cm2)2
Turret ring diameter  
Armament  
Main 50 mm KwK 38 L/42
50 mm L/422,5
50 mm KwK L/423
50 mm4
Secondary  
MG 7.92 MG 34 coaxial, bow
2: MGs2,4
2: 7.92 mm MG343
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 992, 99 Pzgr & Sprgr3
Secondary  
MG 2,700 Patr SmK3, 3,7502
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm) 18 - 30+304
Hull Front, Upper 30+302 30+30@90°3
Hull Front, Lower 30+30@23°3
Hull Sides, Upper 302
30@0°3
Hull Sides, Lower 30@0°3
Hull Rear 30+302
30+30@8°3
Hull Top 162
17@77°-90°3
Hull Bottom 12, 152
16@90°3
Turret Front 352
30@13°3
Mantlet: 37@0-45°3
Turret Sides 302
30@25°3
Turret Rear 302
30@13°3
Turret Top 102
12@85°-90°3
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach HL 120 TRM2,3
Bore / stroke  
Cooling  
Cylinders  
Capacity  
Net HP  
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) Maybach Variorex
ZF SSG 77
6 forward, 1 reverse.2,3
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type)  
Octane  
Quantity 320 liters2
Use per 100 km of road: 183 liters
Road consumption  
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°, hand.3
Max speed 25 mph4
40 kph3, 42 kph2
Cross country speed 18 kph
Road radius 109 miles
155 km2, 165 km3, 175 km
Cross country radius 95 km2
Turning radius 5.8 m
Elevation limits -10° to +20°3
Fording depth 2' 8"
0.8 m2
Trench crossing 8' 6", 7' 6"
2.59 m
Vertical obstacle 2'
0.60 m
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) Torsion bar
Wheels each side 6x22
Return rollers each side 3
Tracks (Type)  
Length  
Width 0.4 m2
15.75"
Diameter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread 2.51 m
Production  

Sources:

  1. 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
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  4. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  5. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  6. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  7. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
  8. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  9. Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
  10. AFV 2: Panzerkampfwagen III, Walter Spielberger
  11. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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