Panzerwrecks- Panzer Tracts No. 3-3

Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf. J, L, M, and N

Book Specifics:

Authors: Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle

ISBN: 978-1-915969-29-3

Price: $32.15

Paperback, 102 pages with 76 black and white photos and 41 pages of CAD drawings

What's Inside

Like we have seen in other recent reviews, Panzerwrecks is doing modelers a great service in releasing enhanced editions of the Panzer Tracts series of reference books. Already considered to be top-notch resources for modelers, the improvements made to these revised releases take it up a few pegs. According to the Panzerwrecks website, this volume contains 14 more pages, 5 more photos, rewritten captions, and reworked images to increase clarity and tonal quality. The photos are typically two to a page with occasional full page photos present. The Table of Contents includes the following: 

• Introduction
• Panzerkampfwagen III (5cm) (Sd.Kfz.141) Ausf.J
• 8.Serie/Z.W. (Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J, L, M & N)
• CAD Drawings
• Panzerkampfwagen III (5cm Kw.K.39 L/60) (Sd.Kfz.141/1) Ausf.L
• Panzerkampfwagen III (5cm Kw.K.39 L/60) (Sd.Kfz.141/1) Ausf.M
• Panzerkampfwagen III (7.5cm Kw.K. L/24) (Sd.Kfz.141/2) Ausf.N

For each Ausführung chapter, we get specialized production and technical information for the final four versions of the Pz. III. Meticulous research and crawling over and measuring tanks through countless hours of research benefit the reader. Also,  production statistics and details on chassis allocations to assembly plants aid in identifying vehicles in operational contexts. The best feature for me is the detailed interior photos of each crew station- with labels identifying each component. The Ausf. J section will be immensely helpful when I get to my Rye Field Model Full Interior kit later this year. These interior photos are present for each variant.

The center section contains the CAD drawings-- 1/35 scale drawings for the four Ausführung including five-view drawings for both normal and tropicalized versions., as well as detailed depictions of the hull and turret variations. Also in the section are 12 pages of 1/10 scale drawings of specific components, tools, and fixtures. I find this section to be exceptional as it names all of these parts which help immensely when you may not know the term for something like a Scheinwerfer (headlight) or the Vorpanzer (spaced armor for the turret mantlet and glacis). 

Throughout the entire book are excellent photos of the Pz. IIIs in action and stationary. Great build ideas abound throughout and I find them fascinating. I have included a few here to give a sample of them. One particular full-page photo is a great study in stowage on the back of a tank as it is in motion away from the camera. 

Conclusion

This is another welcome addition to the reference library of my favorite German tank. The growing number of available revised Panzer Tracts editions is a boon to those interested in modeling or just appreciating these AFVs. Also found on their website was a handy guide to which available models would benefit from this specific volume:

• Academy 13531 German Panzer Ⅲ Ausf.J
• Academy 13545 German Panzer Ⅲ Ausf.L
• Airfix 1378 Panzer III Ausf.J
• Das Werk 16002 Panzer III Ausf.J 3 in 1
• Dragon 6394 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J
• Dragon 6474 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N
• Ryefield Model 5070 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J
• Ryefield Model 5072 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J
• Takom 08005 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N
• Takom 08011 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N with Winterketten
• Tamiya 35290 Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.N
• Tamiya 35215 Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.L

Highly Recommended for those interested in the latter Ausführung of the venerable Panzer III.

Thanks goes out to Panzerwrecks for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

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