Also known as: PzKpfw III, Panzer III, Sd. Kfz. 141
The Panzer III was designed as a medium tank, with a high-velocity 37 mm gun. Pre-war production was 98 vehicles. During the war, the Pz III was upgunned to a 50 mm L42 gun, then to an even higher velocity 50 mm L60 gun, in order to improve its anti-tank performance. A low-velocity 75 mm gun was also fitted (using the same mount as the early Panzer IV), but since the tank was not large enough to fit a high-velocity 75 mm gun, production was halted mid-war, although the chassis continued to be used to build assault guns.
The Panzer III was the first tank to have a 3-man turret: the commander did not have to double up as a loader or a gunner, so he could concentrate on commanding the tank.
Variants:
Panzer III A-F= armed with 37 mm L45 gun
Panzer III F-M = armed with 50 mm L42 or L60 gun
Panzer III N = armed with 75 mm L24 gun, used for Infantry support
Panzer III (f) = armed with flamethrower
Sturmgesch�tz III = Sturmgesch�tz 40= Assault Gun armed with 75 mm L24 (A-E), later with L43 (F) and L48 gun (F8 G) (Sd. Kfz. 142)
StuH 42 = Sturmhaubitze 42. StuG III with 105 mm light field howitzer (Sd. Kfz. 1422)
With 5 textures.
