This is a 1/35 Scale WWII German Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.L All-Purpose Tank from Tamiya.

Tamiya uses the hull from their re-tooled StuG III to turn out the Panzer Mk.III in a state-of-the-art kit. Non-skid surfaces, hinges, weld marks, etc., are particularly well done. Spare tracks and road wheels are included. Also comes with a commander figure in a typical through-the-hatch pose. Rubber-type belt tracks.

• Detailed assembly and painting instructions included.
• Highly detailed 1/35th scale plastic kit for static display.
• Over 230 parts in tan plastic with rubber tracks.
• 1 tank commander crew figure.
• Separate suspension arms for road wheels.
• External details: towing cables, tools, headlights, spare track links and wheels, and a muffler.
• Optional position hatches.
• Optional front armour plate panels.

Suggested Paint Colors (not included):
TS-3 – Dark Yellow
TS-4 – German Grey
X-10 – Gun Metal
X-18 – Semi Gloss Black
XF-1 – Flat Black
XF-2 – Flat White
XF-49 – Khaki
XF-56 – Metallic Grey
XF-60 – Dark Yellow
XF-61 – Dark Green
XF-63 – German Grey
XF-64 – Red Brown
XF-65 – Field Grey

The German Pz.Kpfw. III, along with the IV, played an active part in the early stages of WWII as their mainstrength tanks. However when they encountered the Russian KV and T-34 tanks on the Eastern Front, the weakness of the Pz.Kpfw.III was revealed and the balance of power tipped in favour of the Russians. Thus the pz.Kpfw. III underwent constant improvement throughout its career to maintain an advantage. The Pz.Kpfw. III had a number of types, from the A to N. Among them, the Ausf. L was produced from July 1942. As it was manufactured at the existing tank factory, the basic performance and structure were the same as previous versions with a few modifications. Armament consisted of an improved, long barreled Kwk50 L/60 tank gun, which was effective against the Russian T34 tanks up to a range of 600m, plus two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns. The armour of the front superstructure was increased to 57mm in thickness, and a 20mm thick spaced armour was added to the gun mantlet as well, which increased the tank's weight by 200kg. To cope with the added weight, the suspension system was also strengthened. The powerplant was a Maybach HL120TRM, V-12, water cooled engine producing 300 horsepower. In total 635 Ausf. L's were produced by the end of 1942, and many of them saw active service on the Eastern Front and the North African Front. Although its roll was shortly replaced by the Tiger I and the Panther, the durable chassis of the Pz.Kpfw. III was used for self-propelled guns till the end of the war.