As early as 1934/35, General Heinz Guderian envisioned two basic types of armor to act as the lead elements of the future German Panzer Divisions. The first vehicle was to be armed with an anti-tank gun and two machine guns while the second one was to be a support vehicle, armed with a larger caliber gun. The first one eventually became known as the Panzerkampfwagen III, which was to be a standard tank for the three light companies of a tank battalion. The second vehicle became known as Panzerkampfwagen IV.

In 1935, development orders for a 15-ton fully-tracked vehicle based on the specifications set down by the Waffenamt (the Ordnance Department) were issued to MAN (Nurnberg), Daimler-Benz AG (Berlin-Marienfelde), Rheinmetall-Borsig (Berlin) and Krupp AG (Essen). In order to maintain secrecy, the new vehicle was known as the Zugfuhrerwagen (ZW) - platoon commander's vehicle. The vehicle was designated Versuchkraftfahrzeug 619, Mittlerer Traktor (Medium Tractor) and 3.7cm Geschutz-Panzerwagen.

The Panzerkampfwagen III's development arose from a conflict between the Waffenamt and the Inspector for Mechanized Troops over the vehicle's main armament. The Waffenamt selected and was satisfied with 37mm gun, while the Inspector for Mechanized Troops demanded a larger 50mm gun. In the end, the 37mm gun was chosen as the main armament for the new vehicle. The decision was based on the fact that the infantry was already equipped with the standard 37mm Pak 35/36 L/45 anti-tank gun, so only one gun and one type of ammunition needed to be produced. The turret and turret ring was still capable of mounting a heavier gun originally envisaged by the Inspector for Mechanized Troops. Armored protection was to be heavier in the front of the vehicle than the rear, since the new vehicle was to be used in forward elements of the assault tank formations. The top speed was specified to be 40km/h. and the vehicle was to be operated by a crew of five men, with a commander, gunner and loader in the turret and driver and radio operator in the forward part of the hull. Communication between crewmembers was handled through the use of an intercom system, the first German tank to be equipped with such a device. Later on, all of the Panzers were equipped with this system which proved to be very effective during combat.

Dragon Armor is proud to launch the very first Panzer III Ausf. N in the collection. This model specifically depicts a vehicle fighting with the DAK in Tunisia in 1942-43. It belongs to schwere Panzerabteilung 501, a famous Tiger Ausf. E heavy tank battalion. The unit initially had 20 Tigers and 25 Panzer III Ns, with the first vehicles reaching Tunisia in November 1942. This model is finished in an appropriate desert sand camouflage scheme, and it includes all the relevant markings such as the stalking tiger and 07 turret number. This desert Panzer III N is a really hot item from Dragon Armor! Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Width: 1-inch

Release Date: August 2013

Historical Account: "Crouching Tiger" - Schwere Panzerabteilung 501 was sent to North Africa following the Allied landings in Northwest Africa. The first tanks arrived in Tunisia in November 1942 while the second kompanie, was used for the occupation of Vichy France. It surrendered in Tunisia in May 1943 but was reformed later in September 1943 from the cadre of troops that had been withheld from Africa.

Afterwards, schwere Panzerabteilung 501 was dispatched to the eastern front in November 1943 and fought at Vitebsk and Gorodok. It was refitted with Tiger II (Konigstiger) tanks in July 1944 and then attached to Heeresgruppe Nordukraine. The unit fought at Radom, Sandomierz and Kleice before being disbanded and used to form schwere Panzerabteilung 424 in December 1944.