1:72 Pz Kpfw III Ausf. M flame tank

Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M in the flamethrower form, 1:72 scale (UM)

This injection-molded plastic kit captures the German Pz.Kpfw. III medium tank in the Ausf. M version converted into a flamethrower vehicle. The model is meant to be glued together and painted. 1:72 is among the most widespread scales for armored machinery, so the finished tank fits easily into a collection as well as into a smaller diorama.

The real subject

The Pz.Kpfw. III was a medium tank built from the end of the 1930s and it went through a whole series of production versions. The Ausf. M form was among the late variants with strengthened frontal protection of the hull and a wading modification of the engine compartment. The flamethrower conversion consisted in the vehicle carrying a flamethrower in the turret instead of a gun, covered by a dummy barrel; the fuel for it was stored inside the hull. Only a limited number of vehicles in this form were produced by converting chassis that had already been built, and they were used against fortified positions. Structurally, then, it is a standard Panzer III chassis with different turret armament.

Building and painting tips

In small scales it pays to finish the running gear before the hull is closed. Paint the wheels and the tracks separately and fit them only after the base finish. Cut the parts off with a sharp knife and sand the burrs gently, and glue the joints with thin cement for polystyrene. Spray the base with an airbrush, and deal with three-color camouflage either by freehand spraying or over masking putty. After the gloss coat apply the decals, then a dark wash in the recesses and finally a dry brush on the edges and dust pigments on the lower areas and the tracks.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of German armored machinery in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want a less usual variant of the Panzer III in their display case
• Builders of dioramas where a specialized vehicle is needed
• Moderately advanced modelers used to the small parts of small scales

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.