Pzkw Mk III Ausf J This design was to be the main battle tank of the German army. It was initiated in 1935. The Daimler-Benz design was chosen for production, with the first vehicles delivered in 1937. It was the first tank to use an intercom system for the crew, which greatly increased fighting effectiveness. The initial armament was a 37 mm. KwK 35 L/46 gun which proved of little effect and replaced by the 50 mm KwK 39 L/42 gun. The Ausf. J variant pictured here was produced from March 1941 to July 1942. 2,616 were produced. Weight: 22.3 tons Armament: 50 mm. KwK 39 L/60 gun Ammunition storage: 92 rounds Two 7.92 mm. machine guns, one in hull front, one for anti-aircraft use. Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM / 12-cylinder , generating 265 horse power Speed: 40 km./hour on road, 20 km./hour cross country Range: 155 km. on road, 95 km. cross country Crew: driver, radio operator, loader, gunner, commander. The Pzkw Mk III formed part of the mainstay of the German army together with the Kzkw Mk IV. Many Pzkw Mk III served in Tiger I battalions as protection against close in attacks by infantry or light armoured vehicles. 1:72 scale model by Matchbox, 1981. Assembly and painting by me. Note – Matchbox Models, Ltd. of England was bought up by Revell Gmbh of Germany in the early 1990s. The Matchbox line was off the market for many years, which I found very frustrating. I contacted Revell’s production manager about this – a very nice man, who told me Revell was considering re-releasing the old Matchbox models. Apparently my contact nudged Revell to re-release the models I asked them about, then a lot of the other models. A courteous letter and friendly phone call can do a lot! My thanks to Revell and their production manager! Enjoy! Camera: Fuji A303 digital