PANZERKAMPFWAGEN III (FI) (SD.KFZ 141/3)

PANZERKAMPFWAGEN III (FI) (SD.KFZ 141/3)
Image: Panzerkampfwagen III (FI)
YearFebruary 1943
Vehicle TypeMedium Flame-Thrower Tank
Origin & DesignerGermany/Wegmann
Numbers Produced100
Crew3 (Commander/Gunner, Radio Operator & Driver)
Main Armament1 x 14mm Flammenwerfer
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-8° to +20°
Turret Traverse360°
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun Sight[@gun_sight]
Secondary Armament2 x 7.92mm MG34s (Coaxial & Bow)
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition Carried1000 Litres + 3.750 x 7.92mm
Height2.50m
Width2.95m
Length2.41m
Combat Weight23.000 kg
Ground Clearance0.39m
Fording Depth0.80m
Trench Crossing2.0m
Obstacle Clearance0.60m
Climbing Ability30°
RadioFuG-5
ArmourHull Front: 50mm
Hull Sides: 30mm
Hull Rear: 50mm
Hull Top: 18mm
Hull Bottom: 16mm
Gun Mantle: 50mm
Turret Front: 57mm
Turret Sides: 30mm
Turret Rear: 30mm
Turret Top: 10mm
EngineMaybach HL120TM (Petrol)
Transmission6 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range145 km
Maximum Cross Country Range85 km
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed40 kph
Maximum Cross Country Speed19 kph
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
Variants[@variants]
NotesIn early 1943 the panzer Mk. III was chosen to mount a flame-thrower, this came about during the battle of Stalingrad and the lack of a flame-throwing tank was evident. The ausf M was chosen and they had their 50mm guns removed and replaced with a single flame-thrower. The frontal armour was also increased by 30mm to provide protection. The first vehicles arrived too late to be used at Stalingrad and they first saw large scale action during the battle of Kursk.