Panzer III Historical Index

Introduction of the Hochtreiber modification (Beschleunigerkupplung - accelerator clutch) in the upper part of the main clutch housing to prevent mechanical failures and dissipate heat in the semi-automatic Maybach Variorex-Schaltgetriebe SRG 328145 transmission.

After the width of the opening in the Wegmann Fahrersehklappe 30 armor was reduced, they were no longer watertight. Rain channels (Regenleiste) invented by Daimler-Benz were added after February 1939.

An official order was issued to restrict the maximum speed to 40 km/h by limiting accelerator pedal depression, due to overheating and destruction of rubber tires on the roadwheels when driving in 9th and 10th gear.

Due to severe failures of the Variorex transmission during the Polish campaign, Inspektion 6 decided in Fall 1939 to install proven SSG 76 transmissions (from Ausf. D / B.W. vehicles) into the upcoming 7./Z.W. chassis production run.

No vision port (Sehklappe) on the right superstructure side for the radio operator.

Frontal armor plates face-hardened to over 60 Rockwell C with 30 mm thickness.

Welded hull armor. Bugpanzer: front 30 mm at 9 degrees, sides 30 mm at 0 degrees, deck 16 mm at 90 degrees. Heckpanzer: rear 20 mm at 30 degrees, sides 30 mm at 0 degrees, deck 16 mm at 87 and 75 degrees.

Welded turret armor: front 30 mm at 15 degrees, gun mantle 30 mm (round), sides 30 mm at 25 degrees, rear 30 mm at 25 degrees / round, deck 10 mm at 90 and 83 degrees. Turret mounted on a Hochschulter-Kugellager ball-bearing race.

Standard vehicle equipped only with an EU receiver (Fu 2) without a transmitter. Internal communication provided by the Bordsprechanlage intercom system.

Absence of the side vision port (Sehklappe 30) on the right side of the superstructure for the radio operator on some early Ausf.E vehicles.