Panzer III Ausf. N (Early Production of 501 s.Pz.Abt. in Tunisia)

The Pz. III N 04 from the HQ of 501 s.Pz.Abt.. 

The same Pz. III N 04 was crossing a shallow river.

Refer to this photo, it is very clear to see the climate and natural environment in northern Tunisia are far different from Libya. The crewmen were in the Autumn jacket suits and air temperature in winter of Tunisia was not high enough. 

The Pz. III N with tactical NO. 05 from HQ of 501 s.Pz.Abt..

Note the chassis of this vehicle was initially employed by a Pz. III J. The escape hatch on left side of lower hull can be seen directly in the photo, while majority of Pz. III N’s from 501 Abt. did not have these features. 

Lt. Kodar was standing on the turret of vehicle 07.

The major responsibilities for Pz. III N’s of 501 s.Pz.Abt. are reconnaissance, providing supports to Tigers and protecting against the attacks of enemy's infantry.  

The Tiger 112 with Pz. III N 113 at port of southern Italy. The photo was taken in late November 1942 before the first Kompany of 501 Abt. was transported to Tunisia. 

Pz. III N (113) and its crews.

My initial plan was to build this vehicle, however, the decal or masking tape of ‘113’ was unavailable in market. So I could only change my mind to build vehicle ‘133’. 

Another Pz. III N from 1st platoon (114), a half-track (250/1) armored vehicle was in the front of Pz. III. 

The vehicle 124 and we can clearly see the Tiger insignia was painted on side of turret. 

The vehicle 133. A lot of toolboxes were placed on the fender. 

The vehicle 134 and crewmen. We could see the special toolbox was placed on left front fender (this toolbox was provided in Dragon 6431) and cleaning robs for 75mm L/24 gun.  

The vehicle 222 from second kompany of 501 s.Pz.Abt.. Dust cover for L/24 barrel and MG were in dark color. 

The Pz. III 832 (former 222, re-numbered to 832 when 501 Abt. merged to 10 Pz. Div.) which lost in battle of Hunt Gap during Operation of OX Head in February/March 1943. 

The wreck of vehicle 832 was later collected by US troops. 

One of the features for Pz. III N from 2nd Kompany of 501 Abt. were the jerrycan racks on turret. 

The American were collecting some souvenirs. 

The vehicle 242 was destroyed and burnt out in the second Operation of Eilbote. 

The British soldiers inspected the destroyed vehicle. Again, we can see the jerrycan rack on roof of turret. 

A group of Pz. III N in Tunisian campaign. The Pz. III N has been widely equipped by 15 Pz. Div., 190 Pz.Abt., and 501 s.Pz.Abt. in late stage of African campaign.  

The Pz. III N from 501 s.Pz.Abt. during the Operation of Eilbote in early 1943. 

Same date and place as the previous picture. 

After the operation in Jedeida, two Pz. III N’s crossed the bridge and moved toward to Tebourba. Just note these two vehicles were from 190 Pz. Abt., but not 501 s.Pz.Abt..
 

The Tigers and Pz. III N’s from 2nd battalion of 501 s.Pz.Abt. marched to the frontline after launching in Tunisia in Jan. 1943.

Tiger lovers might quickly recognize the special stowage box of Tiger 223/823. It has been reproduced by Dragon in kit 6328. 

The boxart of Dragon 6431.

The initial released box of Dragon 6431 was really an excellent kit which included magic tracks, 12 jerrycans, extra toolboxes for 501 Abt., jerrycan shelves made by photo-etches, and some attached tools/equipments for Pz. III N in African campaign. Modelers did not need to buy after market products after purchasing Dragon 6431. However, this kit was no longer available nowadays. 

The jerrycan racks were made by wasted brass. 

Primer was done for both of them. 

One mistake that I made was I chose RAL8020 instead of RAL8000 as the top coat for Pz. III N from 501 Abt.; note that all vehicles from 501 Abt. in 1942 & 1943 were painted in RAL8000, useless for those replacement components which installed after they launched to Tunisia. (Just ignore that inaccuracy) 

Presentation of the Diorama!