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German Medium tank Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf N
In June of 1942, last PzKpfw III model entered production. New model Ausf N was produced until August of 1943 by Henschel, Wegmann, MNH, MIAG and MAN (chassis numbers 73851-77800). Ausf N tanks were produced on Ausf J (3), L (447) and M (213) chassis with total of 663 made. 37 additional Ausf N tanks were converted from rebuilt older PzKpfw III tanks. PzKpfw III Ausf N was also known as Sturmpanzer III. Ausf N was the same as Ausf J, L and M with the main difference being its main armament. It was armed with short 75mm KwK 37 L/24, originally used in PzKpfw IV Ausf A to F1 tanks, which then rearmed with longer 75mm guns. Additional armament consisted of standard two MG 34 machine guns. The internal ammunition stowage was modified and 56 (based on Ausf L chassis) or 64 (based on Ausf M chassis) rounds were carried. Ausf N did not have spaced armor as previous models because of the weight of the new 75mm gun. Late production vehicles were fitted with modified type of commander's cupola with single hatch instead of two-piece one as well as one-piece side turret hatches. Number of late vehicles was mounted with commander's cupola used in PzKpfw IV Ausf G tanks. Vehicles produced from March of 1943 were factory mounted with 5mm hull and turret armor skirts (Schurzen). In addition, vehicles produced from early 1943 were factory applied with Zimmerit - anti-magentic paste. PzKpfw III Ausf N tanks were used for close support role. They were either assigned to Tiger Battalions (sPzAbt/sSSPzAbt) as a way to protect them from enemy infantry or to Panzer-Grenadier Divisions. Some source also state that variant designated Ausf O existed, although there is no proof of its existence.
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Main Data
| Weight, tonns |
23 |
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| Lenght,m |
5.65 |
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| Width, m |
2.95 |
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| Height, m |
2.5 |
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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 40 L/24, mm |
75 |
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Ammo
| MG34, rounds |
3750 |
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| KwK 40 L/24, rounds |
56-64 |
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Armor thickness
| Hull front, mm |
50 |
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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 |
30-57 |
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Engine & Speed
| Engine type |
Maybach HL 120TRM, carburetor |
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| Engine power, h.p. |
300 |
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| Max speed, km/h |
40 |
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| Max range, km |
155 (Road) |
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