The Panzer

The Panzer III was built by Daimler-Benz, and the A models were first produced in 1937. The first mass production version was the Ausf F, which entered service in 1939, just in time for Poland.

The Panzer III was upgunned and armor added due to the experiences in Russia in 1941 and ‘42. The Ausf J, the model preceding the L, was equipped with the 50mm KWK L39/60 gun, which could penetrate the T-34s front armor at ranges under 500 meters.

The L had the same armament, but the armor was increased to 50mm, with 20mm plates on the front and rear. This made the L pretty safe from the T-34 at longer ranges, but the KV-1 could still put it in the hurt locker. Also, with lighter side armor, even anti-tank rifles could penetrate from closer ranges at the flanks. The Ausf M was often equipped with side skirts for the hull and turret.

Over the past few years, I've seen more than a few posts on scale modeling forums asking when one magazine or another is going to go digital. Well, it looks like the folks at the Tamiya Model Magazine International have dived in with an iPad and iPhone app! You can view more information on the App Store.

Just like the company name implies, this a quick boost for the exhausts on the old Eduard 1/48 Hawker Tempest kit.

Like the other products I’ve reviewed from this company, they are very well done and easy to remove from the casting blocks. I must admit, I requested these because, during the sanding phase of this project, I broke some of the stock exhaust stubs off. The kit parts and these replacements are installed from the inside before closing the fuselage halves. I was too far along to do it that way so, after chopping out the old stubs and trying to level the plate behind them, this is as close as I could get. There is no doubt in my mind they will fit perfectly when properly installed.