Difference between revisions of "Pz.III J"
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(→Usage in the battles: Added description of general experiences playing the Pz. III J.) (Tag: Visual edit) |
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− | {{Specs-Card | ||
− | |code=germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J_L42 | ||
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− | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!-- ''In the description, the first part | + | <!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''--> |
− | The ''' | + | [[File:GarageImage Pz.IIIJ.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] |
− | + | {{break}} | |
− | + | The '''Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J''' (or '''Panzer III J''') is a Rank I German medium tank with a battle rating of 2.3. It was introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. | |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
− | |||
− | |||
'''Armour type:''' | '''Armour type:''' | ||
− | * Rolled homogeneous armour | + | * Rolled homogeneous armour |
* Cast homogeneous armour (Barrel shroud, Cupola) | * Cast homogeneous armour (Barrel shroud, Cupola) | ||
Line 32: | Line 22: | ||
| Turret || 50 mm (10-25°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50 mm (12-62°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 30 mm (20-25°) || 30 mm (12-15°) || 10 mm | | Turret || 50 mm (10-25°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50 mm (12-62°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 30 mm (20-25°) || 30 mm (12-15°) || 10 mm | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Cupola | | + | ! Armour !! Sides !! Roof |
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Cupola || 50 mm || 10 mm | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 40: | Line 32: | ||
=== Mobility === | === Mobility === | ||
− | { | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
− | <!-- '' | + | |- |
− | + | ! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic | |
− | + | |- | |
− | + | ! Weight (tons) | |
− | + | ! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons) | |
− | + | ! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h) | |
+ | |- | ||
+ | | rowspan="2" | 21.8 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 59 (AB) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |53 (RB/SB) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="1" | Mode | ||
+ | !Stock | ||
+ | !Upgraded | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |''Arcade'' | ||
+ | |465 | ||
+ | |572 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |''Realistic/Simulator'' | ||
+ | |265 | ||
+ | |300 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="1" | Mode | ||
+ | !Stock | ||
+ | !Upgraded | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |''Arcade'' | ||
+ | |21.33 | ||
+ | |26.24 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |''Realistic/Simulator'' | ||
+ | |12.16 | ||
+ | |13.76 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
− | |||
=== Main armament === | === Main armament === | ||
− | + | <!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''--> | |
− | <!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the | + | {{main|KwK 38 (50 mm)}} |
− | {{main|KwK | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="6" | [[KwK 38 (50 mm)|50 mm KwK 38]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity | ||
+ | ! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance | ||
+ | ! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance | ||
+ | ! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | colspan="3" | 99 || -10°/+20° || ±180° || N/A | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! style="width:4em" |Mode | ||
+ | ! style="width:4em" |Stock | ||
+ | ! style="width:4em" |Upgraded | ||
+ | ! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew | ||
+ | ! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif. | ||
+ | ! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | ''Arcade'' || 3.30 || 4.50 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | ''Realistic'' || 3.30 || 3.80 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ | |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds) |
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock |
− | + | ! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew | |
+ | ! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif. | ||
+ | ! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | 5.20 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__ | |
− | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ==== Ammunition ==== | + | ===== Ammunition ===== |
− | {{: | + | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" |
+ | ! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead | ||
+ | ! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°''' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! 10m | ||
+ | ! 100m | ||
+ | ! 500m | ||
+ | ! 1000m | ||
+ | ! 1500m | ||
+ | ! 2000m | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | PzGr 39 || APC || 74 || 73 || 59 || 45 || 34 || 26 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | PzGr 40/1 || APCR || 118 || 117 || 84 || 56 || 37 || 25 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | PzGr 40 || APCR || 132 || 130 || 94 || 63 || 42 || 28 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
+ | ! colspan="11" | Shell details | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay'' | ||
+ | ''in m:'' | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity'' | ||
+ | ''in mm:'' | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):'' | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:'' | ||
+ | ! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! 0% | ||
+ | ! 50% | ||
+ | ! 100% | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | PzGr 39 || APC || 685 || 2.1 || 1.2 || 25 || 28.9 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71° | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | PzGr 40/1 || APCR || 1005 || 1.1 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72° | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | PzGr 40 || APCR || 1050 || 0.92 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72° | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
− | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | + | ===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] ===== |
− | + | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" | |
− | |||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Full<br>ammo | + | ! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo |
− | ! 1st<br>rack empty | + | ! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty |
− | ! 2nd<br>rack empty | + | ! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty |
− | ! 3rd<br>rack empty | + | ! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty |
− | ! 4th<br>rack empty | + | ! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty |
− | ! | + | ! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy |
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | '''99' | + | || '''99''' || 75 ''(+24)'' || 50 ''(+49)'' || 25 ''(+74)'' || 1 ''(+98)'' || style="text-align:left" | Yes |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | + | Left side empty: 50 ''(+49)'' | |
− | |||
=== Machine guns === | === Machine guns === | ||
− | + | <!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''--> | |
− | <!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' --> | + | {{main|MG 34 (7.92 mm)}} |
− | {{main| | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! colspan="7" | [[MG 34 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 34]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan=" | + | ! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount'' |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity) |
+ | ! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute) | ||
+ | ! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance | ||
+ | ! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | colspan="4" | 4,350 (150) || 900 || N/A || N/A |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | + | == Usage in the battles == | |
− | + | Use of this tank is similar to the Pz. III F, and while it does have significantly better armor on the front than its predecessor, the higher BR of 2.3 means it faces MUCH nastier opposition in semi-frequent uptiers to 3.3. T-34 (1940)s are almost unpennable from any side except flat-on below the tracks. M4A1s are similar in speed to you, have thinner sides, are spacious, have powerful guns, and stabilizers. Cromwells are much faster than you with stronger guns. You literally can only hope for them to get overconfident, overextend, and shoot them in the side or rear. APCR postpen damage is not reliable enough to be counted upon when you need it the most, plus neither PzGr.40/1 or PzGr.40 can frontally pen a Sherman or T-34 anyway. The gap between 2.3 and 3.3 is tremendous, and is just as crippling as that between 6.7 and 7.7, for an accurate relative comparison. | |
− | == Usage in battles == | ||
− | |||
− | Use of this tank is similar to the | ||
− | |||
− | |||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | |||
− | |||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
* Accurate and decently powerful gun | * Accurate and decently powerful gun | ||
− | * | + | * Great gun depression |
− | * Good | + | * Good Mobility |
− | * APCR ammo has very high speed and good penetration, making shooting at long | + | * APCR ammo has very high speed and good penetration, making shooting at long range easier |
− | * Armour is fairly decent | + | * Armour is fairly decent, can protect reliably against beginner's and some lower BR tanks |
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | * | + | * Penetration is a bit lacking |
− | * | + | * Awful turret traverse speed |
− | * Flat armour with little slope, | + | * Flat armour with little slope, weak side armour |
− | * Large commander's cupola | + | * Large commander's cupola, often sticking out above the terrain, drawing enemy attention. |
− | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
− | |||
===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
− | The '''Panzerkampfwagen III''' medium tank or the '''Panzer III''' was developed in the 1930s. Starting in early 1934, Heinz Guderian set down some specifications for a new tank, which Army Weapons Department took up to design the tank to weigh no more than 24,000 kilograms with a top speed of 35 km per hour. This tank's role was to be the main tank of the German army and was expected to destroy opposing tanks, as opposed | + | The '''Panzerkampfwagen III''' medium tank, or the '''Panzer III''' was developed in the 1930s. Starting in early 1934, Heinz Guderian set down some specifications for a new tank, which Army Weapons Department took up to design the tank to weigh no more than 24,000 kilograms with a top speed of 35 km per hour. This tank's role was to be the main tank of the German army and was expected to destroy opposing tanks, as opposed as a tank made to destroy anti-tank guns and opposing infantrymen, which the [[Pz.IV C|Panzer IV]] took up in. |
− | + | Damlier-Benz, Krupp, MAN, and Rheinmetall produced prototypes meeting the specifications and the Damlier-Benz model was chosen after testing in 1936-1937. The Panzer III model used a leaf-spring suspension in its early models (Ausf. A - Ausf. D) before utilizing a six-wheeled torsion-bar suspension in the [[Pz.III E|Ausf. E]] and beyond. The Panzer III had a crew of five people, the commander, gunner, loader, driver, and assistant driver. The best feature of the Panzer III during its introduction that is the most overlooked was the three-man turret, which was not as common at the time. This frees the commander to be able to effectively command the tank while maintaining situational awareness rather than be burdened by the role of a loader or gunner, improving combat effectiveness of the tank. Despite this rather advance design, the turret did not have a turret basket for the crew. It was a proven design and production began in May 1937. The total number of Panzer IIIs tanks constructed in its production life was 5,774 units (excluding [[StuG III F|StuG III]] variant). | |
===Specifications=== | ===Specifications=== | ||
− | The Panzer III started with only 15 mm of armour on all sides, this was quickly upgraded to 30 mm on | + | The Panzer III started with only 15 mm of armour on all sides, this was quickly upgraded to 30 mm on front, side, and rear on the Ausf. D, E, F, and G models. Then the Ausf. H placed an additional 30 mm of armour onto the front hull as an interim solution before the '''Panzer III Ausf. J''' gave the Panzer III a 50 mm armour thickness on the front and rear. The Panzer III Ausf. J still retained the 50 mm KwK 38 cannon from the [[Pz.III F|Ausf. F]], which provided much needed firepower over the 37 mm KwK 36. The Panzer Ausf. J had a 300 PS Maybach HL 120 TRM engine that gave it a top speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) with a operational range of 155 km (96 mi.). |
===Combat usage=== | ===Combat usage=== | ||
− | The Panzer III Ausf. J gave the German army better armour for their Panzer III and with a better gun. However, it was still considered | + | The Panzer III Ausf. J gave the German army better armour for their Panzer III and with a better gun. However, it was still considered undergunned to the Soviet contemporary [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]] and [[KV-1 (L-11)|KV-1]] tanks as the 50 mm KwK 38 was not powerful enough to penetrate these tanks frontally with normal ammo. This requires the use of APCR, which was in low supply. The Soviet [[T-26|T-26]] and [[BT-5|BT series]] light tanks were still easily taken care of and were still in larger quantities than the T-34s and KVs, but T-34 production was kicking off and it won't be long before the T-34 becomes the main tank of the Red Army. |
− | The Panzer III still needed improvements if it ever was to go up against the more modern tanks and Germany needed it to stay in service as long as possible as their new tanks | + | The Panzer III still needed improvements if it ever was to go up against the more modern tanks and Germany needed it to stay in service as long as possible as their new tanks are being developed. The next variant featured additional armour and a better 50 mm cannon, the 50 mm KwK 39, on the [[Pz.III J1|Panzer III Ausf. J1]]. The armour had an additional 20 mm offset armour in the front hull and turret, plus the 50 mm KwK 39 featured a longer barrel than the 50 mm KwK 38, increasing its penetration values. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
− | + | '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the ''Panzer III Ausf.J'' from live.warthunder.com. There are plenty of category terms flying around. So looking through every one of them will be necessary. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | * [ | + | *[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23pz_iii_j #pz_iii_j] |
+ | *[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23pziii_j #pziii_j] | ||
− | + | ===Sights=== | |
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/675135/en/ RideR2's Realistic gunsight (TZF4a, TZF 5a/b/d/e/f/f2, TZF 9b/b1/c/d, TZF 12/a) for Pzkpfw II, Pzkpfw III, Pzkpfw IV, Pzkpfw V, Pzkpfw VI] | * [https://live.warthunder.com/post/675135/en/ RideR2's Realistic gunsight (TZF4a, TZF 5a/b/d/e/f/f2, TZF 9b/b1/c/d, TZF 12/a) for Pzkpfw II, Pzkpfw III, Pzkpfw IV, Pzkpfw V, Pzkpfw VI] | ||
− | + | == Read also == | |
− | + | ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,'' | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | * ''reference to the series of the vehicles;'' | |
+ | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' | ||
− | + | ''ETC.'' | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | ==== | + | == Sources == |
+ | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
− | * ''other literature.'' | + | * ''other literature.'' |
− | |||
− | |||
{{Germany medium tanks}} | {{Germany medium tanks}} |
Revision as of 20:32, 15 May 2019
Contents
Description
The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J (or Panzer III J) is a Rank I German medium tank with a battle rating of 2.3. It was introduced in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals".
General info
Survivability and armour
Armour type:
- Rolled homogeneous armour
- Cast homogeneous armour (Barrel shroud, Cupola)
Armour | Front | Sides | Rear | Roof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | 50 mm (12°) Front plate 25 mm (86°), 50 mm (52°) Front glacis 50 mm (23-69°) Lower glacis |
30 mm | 50 mm (14-46°) Top 50 mm (10-66°) Bottom |
15 mm |
Turret | 50 mm (10-25°) Turret front 50 mm (12-62°) Gun mantlet |
30 mm (20-25°) | 30 mm (12-15°) | 10 mm |
Armour | Sides | Roof | ||
Cupola | 50 mm | 10 mm |
Notes:
- Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
Mobility
Mobility characteristic | ||
---|---|---|
Weight (tons) | Add-on Armor weight (tons) |
Max speed (km/h) |
21.8 | N/A | 59 (AB) |
53 (RB/SB) | ||
Engine power (horsepower) | ||
Mode | Stock | Upgraded |
Arcade | 465 | 572 |
Realistic/Simulator | 265 | 300 |
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | ||
Mode | Stock | Upgraded |
Arcade | 21.33 | 26.24 |
Realistic/Simulator | 12.16 | 13.76 |
Armaments
Main armament
50 mm KwK 38 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capacity | Vertical guidance |
Horizontal guidance |
Stabilizer | ||
99 | -10°/+20° | ±180° | N/A | ||
Turret rotation speed (°/s) | |||||
Mode | Stock | Upgraded | Prior + Full crew | Prior + Expert qualif. | Prior + Ace qualif. |
Arcade | 3.30 | 4.50 | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
Realistic | 3.30 | 3.80 | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||
Stock | Prior + Full crew | Prior + Expert qualif. | Prior + Ace qualif. | ||
5.20 | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
Ammunition
Penetration statistics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration in mm @ 90° | |||||
10m | 100m | 500m | 1000m | 1500m | 2000m | ||
PzGr 39 | APC | 74 | 73 | 59 | 45 | 34 | 26 |
PzGr 40/1 | APCR | 118 | 117 | 84 | 56 | 37 | 25 |
PzGr 40 | APCR | 132 | 130 | 94 | 63 | 42 | 28 |
Shell details | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity in m/s |
Projectile Mass in kg |
Fuse delay
in m: |
Fuse sensitivity
in mm: |
Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent): |
Normalization At 30° from horizontal: |
Ricochet: | ||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||
PzGr 39 | APC | 685 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 25 | 28.9 | +4° | 48° | 63° | 71° |
PzGr 40/1 | APCR | 1005 | 1.1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +1.5° | 66° | 70° | 72° |
PzGr 40 | APCR | 1050 | 0.92 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +1.5° | 66° | 70° | 72° |
Ammo racks
Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
99 | 75 (+24) | 50 (+49) | 25 (+74) | 1 (+98) | Yes |
Left side empty: 50 (+49)
Machine guns
7.92 mm MG 34 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coaxial mount | ||||||
Capacity (Belt capacity) | Fire rate (shots/minute) |
Vertical guidance |
Horizontal guidance | |||
4,350 (150) | 900 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in the battles
Use of this tank is similar to the Pz. III F, and while it does have significantly better armor on the front than its predecessor, the higher BR of 2.3 means it faces MUCH nastier opposition in semi-frequent uptiers to 3.3. T-34 (1940)s are almost unpennable from any side except flat-on below the tracks. M4A1s are similar in speed to you, have thinner sides, are spacious, have powerful guns, and stabilizers. Cromwells are much faster than you with stronger guns. You literally can only hope for them to get overconfident, overextend, and shoot them in the side or rear. APCR postpen damage is not reliable enough to be counted upon when you need it the most, plus neither PzGr.40/1 or PzGr.40 can frontally pen a Sherman or T-34 anyway. The gap between 2.3 and 3.3 is tremendous, and is just as crippling as that between 6.7 and 7.7, for an accurate relative comparison.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Accurate and decently powerful gun
- Great gun depression
- Good Mobility
- APCR ammo has very high speed and good penetration, making shooting at long range easier
- Armour is fairly decent, can protect reliably against beginner's and some lower BR tanks
Cons:
- Penetration is a bit lacking
- Awful turret traverse speed
- Flat armour with little slope, weak side armour
- Large commander's cupola, often sticking out above the terrain, drawing enemy attention.
History
Development
The Panzerkampfwagen III medium tank, or the Panzer III was developed in the 1930s. Starting in early 1934, Heinz Guderian set down some specifications for a new tank, which Army Weapons Department took up to design the tank to weigh no more than 24,000 kilograms with a top speed of 35 km per hour. This tank's role was to be the main tank of the German army and was expected to destroy opposing tanks, as opposed as a tank made to destroy anti-tank guns and opposing infantrymen, which the Panzer IV took up in.
Damlier-Benz, Krupp, MAN, and Rheinmetall produced prototypes meeting the specifications and the Damlier-Benz model was chosen after testing in 1936-1937. The Panzer III model used a leaf-spring suspension in its early models (Ausf. A - Ausf. D) before utilizing a six-wheeled torsion-bar suspension in the Ausf. E and beyond. The Panzer III had a crew of five people, the commander, gunner, loader, driver, and assistant driver. The best feature of the Panzer III during its introduction that is the most overlooked was the three-man turret, which was not as common at the time. This frees the commander to be able to effectively command the tank while maintaining situational awareness rather than be burdened by the role of a loader or gunner, improving combat effectiveness of the tank. Despite this rather advance design, the turret did not have a turret basket for the crew. It was a proven design and production began in May 1937. The total number of Panzer IIIs tanks constructed in its production life was 5,774 units (excluding StuG III variant).
Specifications
The Panzer III started with only 15 mm of armour on all sides, this was quickly upgraded to 30 mm on front, side, and rear on the Ausf. D, E, F, and G models. Then the Ausf. H placed an additional 30 mm of armour onto the front hull as an interim solution before the Panzer III Ausf. J gave the Panzer III a 50 mm armour thickness on the front and rear. The Panzer III Ausf. J still retained the 50 mm KwK 38 cannon from the Ausf. F, which provided much needed firepower over the 37 mm KwK 36. The Panzer Ausf. J had a 300 PS Maybach HL 120 TRM engine that gave it a top speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) with a operational range of 155 km (96 mi.).
Combat usage
The Panzer III Ausf. J gave the German army better armour for their Panzer III and with a better gun. However, it was still considered undergunned to the Soviet contemporary T-34 and KV-1 tanks as the 50 mm KwK 38 was not powerful enough to penetrate these tanks frontally with normal ammo. This requires the use of APCR, which was in low supply. The Soviet T-26 and BT series light tanks were still easily taken care of and were still in larger quantities than the T-34s and KVs, but T-34 production was kicking off and it won't be long before the T-34 becomes the main tank of the Red Army.
The Panzer III still needed improvements if it ever was to go up against the more modern tanks and Germany needed it to stay in service as long as possible as their new tanks are being developed. The next variant featured additional armour and a better 50 mm cannon, the 50 mm KwK 39, on the Panzer III Ausf. J1. The armour had an additional 20 mm offset armour in the front hull and turret, plus the 50 mm KwK 39 featured a longer barrel than the 50 mm KwK 38, increasing its penetration values.
Media
Skins and camouflages for the Panzer III Ausf.J from live.warthunder.com. There are plenty of category terms flying around. So looking through every one of them will be necessary.
Sights
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Sources
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Germany medium tanks | |
---|---|
Pz.III | Pz.III B · Pz.III E · Pz.III F · Pz.III J · Pz.III J1 · Pz.III J1 TD · Pz.III L · Pz.III M · Pz.III N |
Pz.IV | Pz.IV C · Pz.IV E · Pz.IV F1 · Pz.IV F2 · Pz.IV G · Pz.IV H · Pz.IV J · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J |
Pz.V | VK 3002 (M) · Panther A · Panther D · Panther F · Panther G · Ersatz M10 · Panther II |
M48 upgrades | M48A2 G A2 · M48 Super |
Leopard 1 | Leopard I · Leopard A1A1 · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 1A5 · C2A1 · Turm III |
Leopard 2 | PT-16/T14 mod. · Leopard 2K · Leopard 2AV |
Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M · Leopard 2 PL · Leopard 2A5 · Leopard 2 PSO · Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7V | |
Trophies | ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) |
Other | Nb.Fz. · KPz-70 |
USA | mKPz M47 G · M48A2 C |
USSR | ◊T-72M1 |