Hi all,

here is a recent Dragon release that I will build here and then summarize as build review.

Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf.J were transformed from usual Pz III Ausf J by installation of addition radio units necessary for effective communication thus leading to removal of bow plate MG as well as MG from turret. Some of these were equipped with screens for better protection.

The kit is a smart kit and basically is "another Panzer III variant" from Dragon.



If you follow the release list of Dragon/Cyber-hobby you could easily notice that one is similar to Cyber-hobby kit 6544 but with addition of screens (shurzen) on turret and hull sides as well as individual magic tracks that were in 6544 are swapped with DS offering.

Here they are...well, not my type of tracks, I would rather prefer individual plastic links, so I will set them aside and install metal tracks from Masterclub.


The content of the box is typical Dragon - some sprues are there just for 2 parts, but this is natural when the differences between different versions of vehicle are represented by 1 or 2 armour panels or similar. But there is one issue that comes out of this mix of sprues - there are sprues marked with the same letter and even having similar looking parts, but are for different versions! To confuse you even more it is not explained and only the colour of the leter is different in the manual. That means care should be taken when reading the instructions (I know there are people that dislike Dragon for that)



The build starts with the lower hull and here we have torsion bars, torsion bar caps, swing arms, drive wheel housing, idler tension mechanism and everything else related to suspension.
First step is however not marked anywhere - to remove the extensions that I marked on the picture. I remember people complaining hull not joining together with those present.


Next - the chassis as well as side hatches. Here the parts numbers are wrong (should be the opposite way)


Also note the B18 part - a different torsion bar cap.

Installed.


Just a bottom shot - nice detail with all the welds and bolts.


Road wheels, support rollers, idlers and drive sprockets.

I will correct "Continentau" later.

Rear hull wall in progress.


Towing eyes added and the panel installed on the hull. In the middle are smoke charges and I still have to add photo-etch mesh here.

And this is how it looks with meshes installed



Next I wanted to finish the fender assembly and installed fender support (note part No error again)






So far I added only basic details to fenders as I want to replace tool clamps with PE.



welded air intakes for transmission attached



On the engine room roof I glued all hatches with hinges, air intake covers. Some work would be necessary here to install star command antenna.

Getting bored with Panzer III already, but still interesting in any build review, good work so far!

This is my first Pz III so I am not bored yet

Good job ! Try some Dragon Stug III's next , you'll love'm.

I had a StuG, but never finished it - wanted to replace the fenders, messed up soldering PE and binned the semibuilt model...

Hi Roman,

It should be very nice kit. I'll follow your w.i.p. with great interest.

According to the box art and the emblem on the turret, the baby belongs to the s.Jg.Pz.abt.653.

Not sure about the ''RNZ''...

Regards
Giovanni

thanks.

I think I will finish it as LSSAH tank from 1943 - panzer grey with dark yellow camouflage.

Here is the superstructure. Bow MG with ball mount was replaced with a pistol port as inside was placed another radio.



On the left side holes need to be drilled for second aerial mount



Superstructure glued to hull. Fit was excellent. The additional armour plate in the front has separate armour plates that cover the space between superstructure and that plate from sides. And these are incorrectly numbered in the manual.

turret assembly started.



I replaced the main gun with RB model barrel.



and another mistake discovered! part D3 should not be there as it has no location points for additional mantlet protection.

Turret basket assembly - these two parts simply do not match on top...will fill that later.

Extra mantlet protection installed and also replaced the fixing ring (was included in RB model barrel)


Need to remove that flash from the top weld seam.


Test fit. Looking good!

Hi Roman,

Very clear. I'm following your w.i.p...

Regards
Giovanni

Here is the engine roof installed with star antenna base and towing cable clamps.



I decided to have all visor ports open on the commanders cuppola.



turret shurzen in progress

Great start Roman .. I love these Pz IIIs...

If you keep up this pace, then you'll be able to bring your Pz III to C4 Open i October.

- Johan

thanks, guys.

Johan, I have other tasks that I have to finish first But you never know ))) I am planning a street scene with that one.

Looks to be typical Dragon quality, with mistakes in the instructions. You are doing an excellent job. I find it strange that the turret basket does not fit right. I've never known one of the panzer kits to have this issue, with any of the parts.

Matt, things like that can happen. well, no problem when you have some putty

I must say, this is a great looking kit abd you've done a great job on it so far. Looking forward to seeing it evolve!

thanks, Johan.

This is my plan for the model. I will do a simple base and 2 stalingrad Miniatures figures. Location - Danzig, spring 1945. Sorry for low quality pic. took it with mobile.

uff, I used my time on Mark IV but now PzBefWg is also ready for painting. As I am going for particular reference image I replaced all OVM tools with photo-etched brackets and added specific features as per reference - only turret skirts, extra spare wheel holders on the front sections of fenders. Star antenna was also omitted.

There were some issues while attaching the skirts to turret, seems like the parts numbers are reversed again, I can't check that anyway as I installed the bars to skirts first...

Wow this is a very clean build, friulmodels tracks an PE always bringing to life the kit.

Thanks. This is not Friul. Masterclubs are much better detailed and accurate.

That was fast! Very nice work. Can't wait to see the star antennas.