Assembled model 1/35 tank Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M mit schürzen 2 in 1 Takom 8002 Sd.Kfz 141 Pz.Kpf.W. III Ausf.M In February 1934, following the specifications ordered by Hans Guderian, the Ordnance Department ordered the development of a new tank codenamed "Zugführerwagen" or "ZW". It was intended as the main battle tank of German panzer divisions, capable of firing. and destruction of enemy tank forces. It was to have a maximum weight of 24,000 kg (53,000 lb) and a top speed of 35 km/h (22 mph). Four companies responded with designs for the contract: Daimler-Benz, Krupp, MAN and Rheinmetall. After testing each proposal, the Daimler-Benz design was selected for production in August 1935. The basic design of the Panzer III was the same as the earlier Panzer I and II, with the gearbox in the front and the engine in the rear of the hull. The turret was an enlarged version of the one used on the Panzer II, it could accommodate three of the five crew (commander, gunner and loader). This new arrangement significantly increased the combat power of the tank by increasing its rate of fire. Equipped with a Maybach HL120TRM engine, Pz. The III Ausf M was almost identical to the earlier Ausf L, with the same 125p KwK39 L/60 gun and 20 mm of additional armor on the cuff and front of the superstructure, but had three 90 mm (3.54 in) NbK smoke ejectors, mounted on both sides of the turret and 5mm steel sides surrounding the turret and hull sides help protect against larger caliber weapons. It also had wading equipment that allowed it to wade through water up to five feet deep. This was achieved with watertight covers for every opening under the turret, including the engine air intakes. During the passage of the tank, air was supplied through the tower. This variant was used to compensate for losses on the front line, and also participated in the Battle of Kursk and the defense of Sicily, although at the time its 125-pixel gun was practically ineffective in tank-vs-tank combat. A total of 1,000 units were ordered, but only 250 were produced by February 1943. The rest were either converted to Ausf.N, StuG III, Flammpanzer III, or simply dismantled.
