Panzer III Ausf.C

Plastic Model Kit for a Panzer III Ausf. C
   All New Tooling  

• Highly detailed model
• scale 1:35
• state of the art engineering utilising slide mould technology
• Total details 1171
• 1047 plastic parts
• 63 PE parts
• 11 clear plastic parts
• Decals sheet for 5 options are included
• Full-colour instruction
• Fully detailed interior of turret
• Crews vision periscopes with clear plastic parts
• All hatches can be assembled opened or closed
• Workable chassis
• Workable track links
• not built/not painted
• paint and glue not included

With the Ausführung C, the development of the Panzerkampfwagen III continued toward full-scale production readiness. Built in a small batch of 15 vehicles between 1937 and 1938, this variant primarily served to incorporate lessons learned from its predecessors into the design.

The focus was once again on improvements to the running gear; the leaf-spring suspension was revised to further enhance handling and reliability. Externally, the Ausführung C was distinguished by features such as a new commander's cupola with five vision ports, which provided improved all-round visibility. Its armament remained the proven 3.7 cm KwK 36 L/45 gun and three MG 34 machine guns. With a maximum armor thickness of 15 mm, the approximately 16-ton tank offered protection only against small-arms fire and shrapnel. It was powered by a 250 hp Maybach HL 108 TR engine, enabling a top speed of around 35 km/h.

The few vehicles produced saw action during the 1939 Polish campaign, where they demonstrated that further design improvements were necessary. By the following year, they had been withdrawn from combat units and were used primarily for training purposes.

Despite the limited number produced, the Ausführung C represented another important developmental step toward the later, significantly more refined production versions of the Panzerkampfwagen III.