The front compartment housed the gearbox and steering mechanism and the rear one both the fighting and engine compartment. Basic hull, turret, superstructure and crew layout remained unchanged throughout the production life of Panzerkampfwagen III series. From April of 1940 to February of 1941, 600 new Ausf G (6-serie) tanks were produced by Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN, Alkett, Wegmann, MNH and FAMO (chassis numbers 65001-65950). Ausf G was a slight improvement over previous Ausf E and Ausf F tanks. Some 50 Ausf G tanks were armed with 37mm KwK 35/36 L/46.5 gun mounted in an internal mantlet, while the rest with 50mm KwK 38 L/42 gun mounted in an external mantlet. Both 37mm and 50mm tanks had additional two MG 34 machine guns, one in the turret and the other in the hull. Armor protection ranged from 12mm to 30mm, although the majority of the protection ranged from 21mm to 30mm. Also, a new pivoting visor for the driver (Fahrersehklappe 30) was installed. The turret was modified and mounted on the roof with a fan exhaust as well as one signal port was eliminated. Mid-production vehicles were mounted with a new type of commander’s cupola as used in Panzer IV Ausf E, F, and G, which became standard on all later models of Panzer III. Late production vehicles had wider 400mm tracks instead of standard 360mm tracks. Ausf G was the first to be mounted with the “Rommelkiste” (Rommelbox) – turret mounted storage bin (Gepack Kasten), which then became the standard on all Panzer IIIs. From August of 1940 until 1942, all 37mm Ausf G tanks just as Ausf E and F tanks were rearmed with 50mm KwK 38 L/42 gun. Vehicles sent to North Africa were equipped with additional air filters and different cooling fan reduction ratios. They were designated Ausf G(Tp), Tp being short for Tropisch / Trop / Tropen – tropical. A small number of Ausf G tanks remained in service as late as September of 1944. In October of 1940, Ausf H (7-series) entered production. It was produced by MAN, Alkett, Henschel, Wegmann, MNH, and MIAG until April of 1941 with 308 produced (chassis numbers 66001-66650). Ausf H featured a newly designed turret to mount a 50mm gun with a single 30mm armor rear plate. Armor protection ranged from 10mm to 30mm but hull front and rear, as well as superstructure front, had 30mm armor plates bolted onto them increasing the protection. The increase in armor protection in Ausf H neutralized the threat of British 2pdr, Soviet 45mm, and American 37mm anti-tank guns. The new six-speed Maybach SSG 77 gearbox replaced previously used Variorex. In addition, the suspension system was slightly modified and new sprocket and idler wheels were used in Ausf H. Consequently, of weight increase to 21.8 tons due to armor protection increase, torsion bars were strengthened. Originally, Ausf H was armed with 50mm KwK 38 L/42 gun and two MG 34 machine guns but in 1942/43, they were rearmed with 50mm KwK 39 L/60 gun. (Photo credit: Bundesarchiv). Notify me of new posts by email.
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