August preview (Post delivery)

Task for August is to deal with on-vehicle-mounted (ovm) tools for the very early Panzer III variants: Ausf. A, Ausf. B, StuG 0-Series.

Both Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A & B were interwar developments and not much more than technical path-finders. Produced between 1936 and 1938 they were issued to the military and after rather short wartime deployment refitted and used for training. The combination of pre- plus early-war military issue, together with their repurpose as training vehicles and finally very small production numbers to begin with (~10 Ausf.A + ~15 Ausf. B) does ask for problems:
It is very hard, more often than not, impossible, identify: 1st; The equiptment present and 2nd; How the equiptment changed over time. Therefore please take my advice here as suggestions only. Most if not all parts here are based on the Panzer Tracts supplemented with photographs. It was easily the most difficult topic for me this year. To be honest I have mixed feelings about the results, specialy because there is almost no documentation and literature to work with. Nevertheless these tools a valuable addition to the catalog and collection of digital, printable replacements. 

I did updetail each tool compared to what is in the box, giveing you a good baseline to customize your build. In some cases it will be up to you to combine clamps and tools in your slicer software in order to get the spacing you can see on your refference. No worries, all presupported files are compatible to allow for combining them in this way.

Most if not of this equiptment can be used for later vehicles as well. It is my impression that with later model designation more stuff was added while the older parts were used until replacement was needed i.e. 38cm track-fork would become obsolete when the change was made to 40cm wide tracks...

Shovel

For the Panzer III Ausf. A were are for the most part on our own, there is no good drawing of the tool layout in Spielberger's and Jentz' books. Therefore I only highlight a difference in the shovel arrangement I've noticed. All other things can be replaced using the kit's instruction manual... 

On the Panzer III A I have observed different mounting options for the shovel. It seems to me there was an early, very simplistic way of mounting the shovel using a  holder, made from flat-stock, together with a single raised clamp. After refit the later, universaly used, variant can be observed: A combination of sleeve, raised clamp and angled bracket. Renember I'm not an expert and early Panzer III are not well documented in literature, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

To make sure you can adapt it your reference, I have inluded all parts as seperate blank and pre-supported items. (You can align them in your slicer software, when you hit "slice" they will be fused together automaticly: i.e. chitubox, leechy, photon-workshop all do the same...) 

Prybar

For the prybar I did run into at these two configurations. I did supply each component seperate for you to fuse within your slicer to fit your reference the best.

S-Hook

One S-Hook can be seen mounted to each side of the vehicles in some cases. You might want to mirror this desgin on order to get right look of the hook hanging in the clamp.

Starter Crank

This item is mounted to the rear wall on many model designations. I've included all parts seperate again, allowing you to use it throught production.

Jack Holder

Another universal part, it can be used on many different vehicles and model designations. The wingnut has to be glued on, I've included a 2nd one in the pre-supported version to give you a good chance for success.

Jack? Jacks are very complex parts, I've scheduled them as a module for 2023 once I have sufficent data.

Jack block

This a repalcement mainly for Bronco's Ausf A. Earliest style, with handle and strap. I have included versions without strap and blank files as well.

Fire Extinguisher

Early Type of fire extinguisher. There is none of this type in the museums I know. If you can provide better data, please do so. This one is based on PT and honestly I don't feel too good about it being accurate.

"Track tool"

This claw was used to re-install and connect the track in-field. It's a universal part and was used as long as narrow tracks (type 1) were issued. I've included blank and pesupported versions and in seperated components. 

Drahtschere

I made a new version of Wire Cutters. Currently I'm sure when it became standard issue to mount these to side of the super struckture and how to do so. Currently I'm guessing it came up with the Panzer III Ausf. C outside of the scope of this months goals, Nevertheless present on the StuG-0 from start(?)

Axe

The last universal part within this month's scope is an axe. Did run across different mounting options again and was not able to identify exact dates or vehicles changes were made. Therefore I've included all compnentes seperate as well.

I hope this release does meet your expectations.
Thank you very much for your support.
Kind regards,
Kai.