Dragon Military 1/35 PzKpfw III Ausf E Tank Blitzkrieg Battle of France Smart Kit

During the early Blitzkrieg campaigns in Poland and France, the Panzer III was a vital asset, although only several hundred were available at that time. They were also prominent in the invasion of Russia, with the Panzer III being numerically the most important tank for Germany. The first mass-produced version of the Panzer III was the Ausf.E, equipped with a 3.7cm KwK 36 main gun of 46.5 caliber, as well as three MG34 machine guns. Torsion bar suspension was standardized on the Ausf.E instead of the leaf springs used on earlier variants, and it was powered by a new 300hp Maybach HL120TR engine coupled to a 10-speed gearbox. Production of the Ausf.E commenced in December 1938, and a total of 96 tanks were manufactured up till October 1939. At 19.5 tons, the Ausf. E was significantly heavier than its predecessors.

Dragon has created a 1/35 scale Smart Kit of this particular German tank design. One desirable element in Dragon’s kit is the newly tooled road wheels, six per side. These wheels are different to those introduced on the Ausf.F kit (Item No. 6632). Other new parts to recreate this specific variant include the new side plates. This kit has been carefully researched and executed, and it is a must-have for modelers seeking a diorama of the Blitzkrieg era. This Smart Kit assembles easily, with the Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.E being especially relevant to a combat scene in France in 1940, as depicted on the inspirational box-top illustration by Ron Volstad.

Features:

• Newly tooled side plate for Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.E accurately presented
• Newly tooled 75mm road wheels
• Brand new Pz.III Ausf.E realistically produced w/authentic detail
• Optional periscope housing is produced
• Final-drive housing covers are separate parts for maximum detail
• Accurate sprocket wheels
• Slide-molded engine deck for Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.E Initial Production
• Engine hatches can be assembled open or closed
• Armor plate realistically presented w/weld seam
• Injection-molded tow cable for engine deck w/cable mount included
• Fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surfaces
• Rear hull accurately tooled
• Starter crank port cover can be assembled open/closed
• Complete gun assembly reproduced w/full detail
• Intricate 3.7cm Kw.K L/46.5 gun w/delicate detail
• Gun barrel and mantlet are slide molded
• Slide-molded gun sleeve for greater detail
• Injection-molded plastic fender catch for accurate presentation
• Gearbox access hatches finely recreated
• Side hatches can be assembled open/closed w/interior details
• Hollowed-out undercut on turret bottom included
• Slide-molded cooling air intake
• Photo-etched air-intake grills
• Detailed idler wheels and track tension adjuster
• Detailed track tension adjuster
• Turret realistically made by 3-directional slide-molds
• One-piece slide-molded lower hull w/exquisite detail
• Full detail on lower hull sides
• Fully detailed weld seams on hull bottom
• Slide-molded torsion bars included
• Slide-molded hydraulic shock absorbers are fully detailed
• Detailed suspension swing arms
• 5-directional slide-molded commander's cupola authentically recreates structural details
• Cupola hatches can be assembled open or closed
• Vision ports w/open or closed option
• Exhaust pipes w/hollow ends
• Toolbox w/padlock produced by slide-mold
• Injection-molded on-vehicle tools have clasp detail
• DS Tracks