Stridsvogn KW.III Ausf.J1 (50mm L/60) Mid Production - Served at Værnes airport, Trondheim

[Til_Dovre_Faller]

STRIDSVOGN KW.III Ausf.J1 (50mm L/60)(Mid-Prod)

INTRODUCTION

I found another Stridsvogn KW.III (Ex-German Panzer 3 operated by Norway) that was used at Værnes airport some years after the end of ww2. It’s an mid-production Ausf.J1 with the powerful L/60 50mm cannon. It features some add on track armor and road wheels, and likewise with all the other that Norway operated, was repainted in the characteristic olive drab color. This could be a great vehicle to be added with Norway in a future Norwegian subtree or in an independent Norwegian/Danish techtree.

HISTORY

The Pz.III came to Norway a little after the German invasion of Norway in April 1940, the Germans did not expect there to bee a need for heavier tanks, as Norway did not have any other than a couple armored trucks. Because of this the smaller and less powerful Pz.III and Stug.III were brought to Norway. During the occupation, the tanks Germany used here were sent to Germany and upgraded a number of times, and in a wide variety of variants and mixes, and when the war came to an end, the Germans surrendered all their vehicles to Norwegian and British/American forces that had fought in Norway. The British wanted to sabotage most of these vehicles, and among trying to blow up the barrels of the various tanks, they had driven over and destroyed a whole bunch of surrendered motorcycles. Most of these tanks were later on put in service in the Norwegian Army, and because of the British sabotage, the Norwegians worked on restoring these vehicles until 1948, before they were ready to be used. And because of the vehicles being damaged and parts having to be taken from here and there, those vehicles that already had been upgraded/mixed by the German army during the occupation, were even further mixed by the Norwegians during the restoration, with this vehicle potentially being one example. Then they were taken over by the army, the Panzerkampfwagen III were named and officially given the designation Stridsvogn KWIII, and the Sturmgeschütz III were given the designation Stormkanon KWIII. The majority of these tanks were put in service in so called “Airport Troops” to guard the various airports in the country.

The fate of the StuG.III are unfortunately lesser known, but thankfully the Pz.III is better documented, those remained in service until the mid/early 1950’s when they got replaced by the New M24 Chaffe tanks received tough the weapons aid programme, and lrgely replaced by 1953. After ended service those remaining Pz.III were either dug down and encased in concrete in defensive positions around some airfields in Norway, where they were used in a “Bunker” to shoot at invaders. Those were used until the 1960’s when the tanks were rendered obsolete. After this they were for some reason completely buried along with the bunker/fort they were integrated with, and almost forgotten until these people decided to save them and have them restored.

This Ausf.J1 Mid-Production was used at Værnes airport in Trondheim, and the image is taken in 1948.

I have spent a lot of time, and have tried to identify all the Stridsvogn KWIII and Stormkanon KWIII that was used by the Norwegian army, that i have managed and been able to find pictures of. As none of the books mentioning them, has any sort of descriptions of their modifications or hybrid combinations, i’ve had to do this myselves, so there might be errors. If you see something, let me know!.

VEHICLE BREAKDOWN AND IDENTIFICATION

Ausf.J1 Mid Production
-It lacks the additional 50mm armor in the front hull, something that were added with the later production variant and that this one lacks, indicating that it would be from around mid-production.
-It has the more powerful L/60 50mm cannon installed, this was added mid-production and it was given the designation J1 to avoid comfusion
-It lacks the spaced armor on the cannon mantlet, something that were added with the late proction variant.
-It has recieved the tow eyes that are welded on the frontal plate, something that were added mid-prduction.
-The headlights were moved to the bow later in production

Key details about this specific vehicle
-License plate: 1247-H
-Add on amor/tracks lower frontal plate, 20mm RHA armor protection (wt stats)
-Add on amor/tracks upper frontal plate, 20mm RHA armor protection (wt stats)
-Add on amor/tracks upper hull plate, center, 20mm RHA armor protection (wt stats)
-Roadwheel on right fender rear, 15mm structural armor (Wt stats)

ARMAMENT

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• 1x 5cm KwK 39 L/60 cannon
  Pipe length: 3000 mm
  Caliber: 5 cm
  Caliber length: L/60
  Firerate: 13 shots/min
  Elevation range: −10° to +20° angle
  lateral alignment area: 360°

• 1x 7.92x57mm Mg34
  -Placement: Turret coaxial, right side of cannon
  -Cartridge: 7.92x57mm Mauser
  -Ammunition capacity: 600 rounds
  -Mass: 12.1 kg
  -Length: 1,219 mm
  -Barrel length: 627 mm
  -Action: Recoil-operated, opened rotating bolt
  -Rate of fire: 800–900 rounds/min
  -Muzzle velocity: 765 m/s
  -Effective firing range: 3,500 m with tripod and telescopic sight
  -Maximum firing range: 4,700 m

• 1x 7.92x57mm Mg34
  -Placement: coaxial hull MG, right side
  -Cartridge: 7.92x57mm Mauser
  -Ammunition capacity: 600 rounds
  -Mass: 12.1 kg
  -Length: 1,219 mm
  -Barrel length: 627 mm
  -Action: Recoil-operated, opened rotating bolt
  -Rate of fire: 800–900 rounds/min
  -Muzzle velocity: 765 m/s
  -Effective firing range: 3,500 m with tripod and telescopic sight
  -Maximum firing range: 4,700 m

• 6x(2x3) 92mm Nebelwurfgerät Smoke grenade launchers
  -Placement: 3x launchers on each side of the front of the vehicle

TECHNICAL DATA Ausf.J1

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Dimensions: Approximately 5.52 m (18.11 ft) long, 2.95 m (9.67 ft) wide, and 2.5 m (8.2 ft) high.
Weight: Approximately 21.5 to 21.8 metric tons.
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM, 12-cylinder gasoline engine producing 300 PS (296 hp).
Performance:
Max Road Speed: 40 km/h (25 mph).
Operational Range: 155 km (96 miles) on roads; 95 km (59 miles) cross-country.
Crew: 5 members (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator/Hull Gunner)

SOURCES

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Den Sorte lue : medlemsblad for kameratforeningen Norske Dragoner hvori opptatt Hedmarks Dragonforening. august 2017 Vol. 14 Nr. 3
Nasjonalbiblioteket

Information and specs about various Pz.III variants
https://fox3000.com/pz3.htm

Images and some information
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Background and service history
Book: Motoriserte Militærkjøretøy i Norge
Copyright 2005 by Forsvarsmuseet/HMK All rights reserved
Billedbehandling/Grafisk produksjon: Mikro Marketing, Asker
Press: Gan Grafisk, Oslo
Motoriserte Militærkjøretøy i Norge Bind 1
ISBN 82-91218-43-9
The book is printed in 3,000 copies, 100 of which are leatherbound
front cover/back cover: The wheel rider squadron at Trandum 1953
Defense publications No. 3 Oslo 2005
Stridsvogn & Stormkanon KW-III (Panzer III & StuG III in Norwegian Service) - Tank Encyclopedia

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