In early 1934, four German industrial firms were invited to submit proposals for the design of a new tank code named Zugführerwagen (Z.W.), or platoon leaders tank, by Wa Prw 6, the German automotive design office. After evaluating the proposals, contracts for design and construction of Versuchs-Fahrgestell (trial chassis) were awarded to Daimler-Benz and M.A.N while similar contracts for Versuchs-Turm (trial turrets) were awarded to Rheinmetall and Krupp.
A standard layout was decided upon that had the engine mounted in the rear and the transmission and final drives in the front. The fiveman crew included the commander, situated centrally in the turret with the gunner on the left and loader on the right. The driver was seated on the left side of the transmission with the radio operator/machine gunner on the right.
The Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.A was the first model in the series and can easily be distinguished from the following production vehicles by its five large sprung road wheels and two return rollers.
The Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.B had a redesigned suspension system using eight smaller road wheels mounted in pairs on two heavy leaf springs with three return rollers. Improvements made to the hull and turret included a redesigned modified engine deck for improved ventilation. The brake access covers on the hull front were changed to a hinged circular hatch for easier access. A swing arm was bolted to the left side of the hull to mount an MG34 for use against ground attack aircraft. A total of fifteen were produced in 1937.
The lower hull had styrene strips glued along the side joints to help square them up and stiffen them.
I made a cutting device with an X-Acto No.11 blade to scribe a separation between the steel rim and rubber tire on each road wheel. Not only did it improve the accuracy but helped when it came time to paint them.
A comparison between the modified road wheel on the left and the unmodified one on the right.