8/ZW7
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf J SdKfz 141:
Early production version with a short 50 mm.
Imperial War Museum
Russia, summer 1941. PzKpfw III Ausf H on left, PzKpfw III Ausf J on right.
Imperial War Museum
In the Ukraine on February 10, 1944
The initial order was for 900 but that was later increased to 2,700. Hull was lengthened, and the engine deck received an extension to the rear. Smoke candles had armor added and were moved to below the tail pipe. The driver received a new visor. Hull machine gun mounted in ball-mount. The access hatches in the upper front hull were changed to single piece hatches. Air intakes for the brakes and final-drive cooling were mounted on the upper hull in the front.
In February 1941, Hitler ordered that all PzKpfw IIIs were to have the 50 mm KwK 39 L/60 guns.12 There were difficulties in getting a supply of them so the army ordnance department continued to use the 50 mm KwK L/42 guns as they felt it would be enough to handle any enemy tank.12 Once Hitler learned that the shorter gun was being used, he ordered the long version installed and they were starting in December 1941.12
Early production had the 50 mm KwK L/42 gun.8
From April 1942 there was 20 mm of spaced armor added to the gun mantlet and/or the front superstructure. Used FuG5 radio.3
Used by the 2nd and 5th Panzer divisions and an independent Panzer regiment in Russia in September 1941.
8/ZW7
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf J SdKfz 141/1:
The ammunition storage was reduced due to the longer shells. Used FuG5 radio.3
In early 1942 the 3rd, 16th, 29th, and 60th Motorized Infantry Division and the 5th SS Motorized Infantry Division received tank detachments. The rest were issued as replacements in Russia and North Africa. British called this the "Mark 3 Special".
| Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf J, SdKfz 141 | Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf J, SdKfz 141/1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator 52,3 |
Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator 53 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 27,557 lb, 49,163 lb 21.5 tons3,6, 21.6 tons2, 22 tons, 22.3 tons4 |
27,557 lb, 49,163 lb 21.5 tons3, 22 tons, 22.3 tons8, 23.9 tons7 |
| Length w/gun | 20' 7" 21' 1" 5.52 m2,3,6, 6.41 m |
20' 7" 21' 1" 6.28 m3, 6.41 m |
| Length w/o gun | 17' 8" 5.52 m |
17' 8" 5.52 m |
| Height | 8' 2.5", 9' 8" 2.5 m2,3,6, 2.51 m |
8' 2.5", 9' 8" 2.5 m3, 2.51 m |
| Width | 9' 8.25" 2.95 m2,3,6 |
9' 8.25" 2.95 m3 |
| Width over tracks | ||
| Ground clearance | 1' 2" 0.41 m, 0.38 m2 |
1' 2" 0.41 m, 0.38 m |
| Ground contact length | 2.86 m | 2.86 m |
| Ground pressure | 13.5 psi 0.97 (kg/cm2)2 |
0.94 kg/cm2 |
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 50 mm KwK 38 L/42 50 mm L/422 50 mm KwK L/423,7 |
50 mm KwK 39 L/605,7 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 7.92 mm MG34 coaxial, bow 2: MGs2 2: 7.92 mm MG343 |
7.92 mm MG34 coaxial, bow |
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 78, 992,7, 99 Pzgr & Sprgr3 | 847, 84 Pzgr & Sprgr3 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 2,700 Patr SmK3, 3,7502 | 2,700 Patr SmK3 |
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 18 - 504, 50 (early)12, 50+20 (late)12 Front: 506,7 Side: 306 |
|
| Hull Front, Upper | 502 50@9°3 |
50@9°3 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 50@21°3 | 50@21°3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 302 30@0°3 |
30@0°3 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0°3 | 30@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 502 50@10°3 & 15°3 |
50@10°3 & 15°3 |
| Hull Top | 162 17@75°-90°3 |
17@75°-90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 152 16@90°3 |
16@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 502 30@15°3 Mantlet: 50@0°-45°3 |
30@15°3 Mantlet: 50@0°-45°3 |
| Turret Sides | 302 30@25°3 |
30@25°3 |
| Turret Rear | 302 30@12°3 |
30@12°3 |
| Turret Top | 102 10@83°-90°3 |
10@83°-90°3 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TRM2,3 | Maybach HL 120 TRM3 |
| Bore / stroke | ||
| Cooling | ||
| Cylinders | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Net HP | 3006 | |
| Power to weight ratio | ||
| Compression ratio | ||
| Transmission (Type) | ZF SSG 77, Synchromesh 6 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 |
ZF SSG 77, Synchromesh 6 forward, 1 reverse.3 |
| Steering | ||
| Steering ratio | ||
| Starter | ||
| Electrical system | ||
| Ignition | ||
| Fuel (Type) | ||
| Octane | ||
| Quantity | 320 liters2 | 320 liters |
| Road consumption | 100 km/183 liters | 100 km/183 liters |
| Cross country consumption | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 360°, hand.3 | 360°, hand.3 |
| Max speed | 24.9 mph 40 kph3,6, 42 kph2 |
24.9 mph 40 kph3 |
| Cross country speed | 11.2 mph 19 kph |
11.2 mph 19 kph |
| Road radius | 93 miles, 109 miles 155 km2,3, 175 km |
93 miles, 109 miles 155 km3, 175 km |
| Cross country radius | 95 km2 | 97 km |
| Turning radius | 5.8 m | 5.8 m |
| Elevation limits | -10° to +20°3 | -10° to +20°3 |
| Fording depth | 2' 8" 0.8 m2 |
2' 8" 0.8 m |
| Trench crossing | 8' 6" 2.59 m |
8' 6" 2.59 m |
| Vertical obstacle | 2' 0.60 m |
2' 0.60 m |
| Climbing ability | ||
| Suspension (Type) | Torsion bar | Torsion bar |
| Wheels each side | 6x22 | 6x2 |
| Return rollers each side | 3 | 3 |
| Tracks (Type) | ||
| Length | ||
| Width | 0.4 m2 | 0.4 m |
| Diameter | ||
| Number of links | ||
| Pitch | ||
| Tire tread | ||
| Track centers/tread | 2.51 m | 2.51 m |
| Production |
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
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