Panzer III Historical Index

Turret number (66081) does not match chassis number (66032) — turret originates from a different vehicle. Noted during British inspection at Farnborough, March 1943.

Zusatzpanzerung (additional armour plates): front vertical plate 25+31 mm (7°), lower nose 40+30 mm (23°), lower tail plate 31+30 mm (8°). Upper nose plate 31 mm + deficient extra plate (50°). Skirting plates not fitted.

Mot.Nr. 36153 (H.L.120 TRM, 11867 com., 1941). Rocker box covers: N.B. Radiators: Hans Windoff, Schoneberg, Berlin, KUHL Nr. 40286. Note: engine was not mounted on bearers — lying on floor of engine compartment, attribution to this chassis uncertain.

Gearbox: ZF SSG 77, No.281/1940 - 51196, production date 24.4.1940. 5 cm Kw.K gun: breech 1940 Rh.210 R.1271 Bs.Sg.1708 Rh.195 Rh.389 Fl.271 Rh.210 Vr.Fl.315 Rh.210; mounting L.1236-1940.

Vehicle completed by Daimler-Benz in November/December 1940. It retains a Triebrad (drive wheel), Leitrad (idler wheel), and Stossdaempfer (shock absorber) designed for the Z.W.38. Spacers were installed on the Triebrad and Leitrad for the wider Kgs 61/400/120 tracks. The angle iron rails along the top of the hull sides had cut out "scallops" and were welded to the hull side on the Z.W.39 (Ausf.H) standard.

Technical inspection by the School of Tank Technology at Farnborough, March 1943 (D.T.D. No. 3005, Project V. 7024; Major J.D. Barnes R.T.R. + D.M. Pearce B.A.). Non-runner, extremely poor condition. Battle damage: numerous hits on hull and superstructure, penetration of nearside hull plate at loading hatch corner entering fighting compartment. Fighting compartment burnt out, 5cm rounds and S.A.A. detonated inside. Offside superstructure plate forced out, weld fractured along entire length. Offside engine compartment bulkhead cover forced out. 5 cm gun barrel scarred and bent, gun port cover split along welds. Engine incomplete, lying on floor (not on bearers). Deficient: rear engine superstructure, both tracks, two bogie wheels, gun port cover front plate.