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In June of 1942, Ausf L tank entered production. 653 were produced by Daimler-Benz, MAN, Alkett, Henschel, Wegmann, MNH and MIAG until December of 1942 (chassis numbers 74101-75500). |
Other Medium Tanks
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3D Interactive Model
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German Medium tank Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf L
In June of 1942, Ausf L tank entered production. 653 were produced by Daimler-Benz, MAN, Alkett, Henschel, Wegmann, MNH and MIAG until December of 1942 (chassis numbers 74101-75500). Ausf L was armed with 50mm KwK 39 L/60 gun and two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns. Externally it was almost identical to late model Ausf J as it was developed by modifying it. The main difference was new torsion bar gun counter balance, which replaced the original the coil spring gun recoil mechanism. Armor protection of the front turret was increased from 30mm to 57mm and 20mm spaced armor was installed on the superstructure front and in many cases on the gun mantlet. The design of the vehicle was simplified as rear deck was modified (air-intakes and hatches) and early in production hull escape hatches, loader's vision port on the mantlet and turret side ports were removed. Ausf L was also mounted with new special system to transfer heated engine coolant from one vehicle to another. Single Ausf L was mounted with an experimental 75/55mm tapered-bore KwK0725 gun and was designated as PzKpfw III Ausf L mit Waffe 0725. Vehicles send to North Africa were equipped with additional air filters, modified oil filters different cooling fan reduction ratio and were designated as Ausf L(Tp). Ausf L was also first to be mounted with anti-aircraft machine gun mount (Fliegerbeschussgerat 41/42) on commander's cupola. This became standard on al new PzKpfw III tanks and was mounted on older models during service. Many were mounted with 5mm hull and turret armor skirts (Schurzen).
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Main Data
| Weight, tonns |
22.7 |
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| Lenght,m |
6.412 |
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| Width, m |
2.92 |
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| Height, m |
2.51 |
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| Crew, men |
5 |
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Armament
| Machine gun MG-34, mm |
2 x 7,92 |
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| Gun KwK 39L/60, mm |
50 |
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Ammo
| MG34, rounds |
2700 |
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| KwK 39L/60, rounds |
84 |
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Armor thickness
| Hull front, mm |
70 |
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| Hull side, mm |
30 |
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| Hull back, mm |
50 |
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| Hull top, mm |
17 |
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| Hull bottom, mm |
16 |
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| Hull Turret, mm |
30-50 |
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Engine & Speed
| Engine type |
Maybach HL 120TRM, carburetor |
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| Engine power, h.p. |
265 |
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| Max speed, km/h |
40 |
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| Max range, km |
145 (Road) |
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