Commander cupola of the Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.C

[GeorGGe]

I need in the theoretical help and pics Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.C with commander cupola of early type («dustbin» - in the p.1). In the literature to be spoken, that this updating had commander turret similar to model Ausf.B. Such photos at me are absent. On the other hand, in all pics which I have, it is seen Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.C with a turret of late type (similar Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.D).

[Homerr]

From a google search:

ausf A



Ausf B

[GeorGGe]

Greetings.

Help. I need pics Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.B/C/D.

Best Regards.

[Harri]

I think the most likely reasons why the newer type turrets are with older Ausf.B/C chassis are either war-time updates (for example for training purposes) or repairing of damaged tanks. Turrets probably were easily interchangeable if their ring size was the same?

IIRC of the 30 produced PzKw III Ausf. Ds the first batch of 15 tanks had the old type Ausf. B/C turret with dustbin/drum cupola while another batch of another 15 tanks had the newer type turret with the cupola type of the Ausf. E. At least four Ausf. D tanks (vehicle No:s 213, 214, 341, 342) with the earlier type turrets with dustbin cupola were in Finland as late as between the summer 1941 - autumn 1942 in Panzer-Abteilung (z.b.V.) 40. There are lots of photos on these vehicles and they all have the old type drum cupola and are clearly Ausf. Ds.

Information taken from "Panzers in Finland" by Kari Kuusela:

Pz.Abt.40 was in Finland between the summer of 1941 and December of 1942. It was then transferred with 520 men, 22 tanks and 215 other vehicles to Oslo, Norway where it became II Panzer-Abteilung / Pz.Rgt.9 [25.Pz.D]. 3 PzKw III Ausf. D tanks as well as about 10% of its personnel stayed in Finland. A new light tank unit Panzer-Sicherungskompanie z.b.V., later known as Panzer-Kompanie 40, was formed by Gebirgs-Armee-Oberkommando 20 (Geb.-AOK 20) and subordinated to XVIII Gebirgs-AK for securing and patrolling duties on rear areas. Company had one PzKw I Ausf. B as a command vehicle and three platoons of one PzKw III Ausf. D and five PzKw I Ausf. Bs each. Pz.Kp.40 was disbanded on 10 June 1943 and its PzKw IIIs were sent to Germany. PzKw Is were given to other units or dug in.

[GeorGGe]

Harri, thank for the interesting information.
I have two pics Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.D ¹342 with commander cupola of early type («dustbin») from Pz.Abt.z.b.V.40. There are some more photos of these tanks in Norway and Finland?

Dear colleagues I need pics and information about fighting application Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.B/C/D in Poland, Norway, Finland, France. I hope to the aid…

Best Regards.

[s.claus]

Pz III b.


Pz III c.


Pz III d.



Original picture size in http://www.gportal.hu/frankie

[GeorGGe]

2 s.claus
Thank. A fine site. Many interesting photos, especially Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.À.
Continuing a theme pic's Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.B with «dustbin» cupola.

Best Regards GeorGGe

[GeorGGe]

We continue a theme. Small question???

Best Regards

[tigre]

Hello to all , sorry for bumping this old thread but I've a little doubt on it...................

Commander cupola - Poland 1939.

Sailing in the web I've stumbled with this picture from an album of the PR 36 during Polish Campaign of 1939. See below.

Source: http://odkrywca.pl/panzer39-wraki-czesc ... 30647.html

TIA. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all , something more...................

Commander cupola - Poland 1939.

Source: http://odkrywca.pl/panzer39-wraki-czesc ... 30647.html
http://odkrywca.pl/panzer39-wraki-czesc ... tml#700425

Cheers. Raúl M .