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Back in time, I had much trouble posting to this site as many of us did, which is why this thread died. I have another project in the works. it is a continuation of my PIII build with a little know variant.

I read about an attempt to try to place the panther turret on a PIV, but too much weight. Likewise, I read about an attempt to place a PIV turret on the PIII chassis. Again the weight was too much.

Finally, I read somewhere that an attempt was made to retrofit a KwK 40 L/43 to the PIII turret. in 1943, this cannon had several different muzzle breaks. I have a spare barrel 75mm of appropriate length w/newer muzzle break to try to fit to the PIII. It looks good as a mockup. Unfortunately, I have not found any pics of the real one. it fits right into the short 75mm mount. I bet changing shells inside would be very challenging.
Pics to come.

The KwK 40 was a very versitile cannon. Used on the PIV as the KwK 40 L/48, I plan to try the KwK 40 L/43 caliber length for the PIII. For this experimental version I chose the same gun made by ?Modellbau (I had a spare) and it fits perfectly into the 75mm BB housing on the PIII HL turret. Barrell comes with aluminum sleeve which is pushed in from rear and creates nice snug fit to barrell.

Although I can;t find documentation on this particular gun fitted to a PIII, I do have a picture of a PIII with the long 50mm cannon with muzzel break (~1943?). So if I say this is a slightly out of scale 50mm cannon, this could be a legit model.

Anyway..looks good. would not want to load it in the hot sun..

Enjoy some pics:

Recoil mod done even better this time with brass rod and E clips.

Be sure all the parts are on the barrel BEFORE soldering the retaining pins....(because the muzzle break does not come off)

I used an aluminum tube (hobby shop) for barrel extension. The aftermarket barrel fit the tube perfectly and is held in place with brass pins (pics). barrel not long enought to fit recoil unit. Aftermarket barrel in green and aluminum extension in aluminum color. Make sure nothing rubs. place pins like I did so they don;t interfere with surrounding stuff. Pins also ground down.

micro switch with extra safety screw in place. almost ready to test.

No flash this time, barrel diameter too small. No LED either...too lazy.

If any of you are considering the recoil mod( converting BB to recoil ar fixing IR recoil), I recommend that:

1) for Panzer III, you need HL recoil unit with the side pins.
2) Stug needs HL recoil unit without side pins
3) JP needs recoil unit with side pins
4) KT needs recoil unit with side pins

xrad,

I'm coming back to this post because I have many of the same parts that you have and can't see the old pictures. So, I have some questions, if I may.

1) Do you remember what sized bolts you used to replace the Asiatam ones on the hull (countersunk hex-head)?

2) How did you secure your metal spare wheels to the metal post? Mine appear to be a friction fit only. My concern is falling off into the grass.

3) Most important: how did you fix the wading exhaust to the tank? Did you build any brackets? Mine only seems to glue to the resin piece that goes under the rear. Doesn't seem stable...

Pics if you still have them would be awesome!

Thanks,
Philip