Zugführerwagen 40 Z.W. 40

[Ghostmaxi]

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

• Yes
• No

In August of 1940 FAMO received an order to produce a new tank suspension with interleaved roadwheeles for the Pz III, to improve its capabilitys and fix some flaws such as shedding of the rubber rims at high speed, by using far bigger roadwheels. Famo recived 21 Pz III to aid in developent.
1 beeing an Ausf. G and the rest Pz III Ausf. G hulls with Ausf. H turrets.
The returnrollers were removed and they recived 850mm roadwheels, as well as some got new escape hatches, as they where now behind the wheels.
While it was successfull in increasing the ground clearance and by that off road traverse, it didnt increase the weight reserves, so it wasnt possible to increase armor nor armarment and cince it was rather late, it was discontinued in favor of keeping the standart production up.

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Pictures: (Click here to show)

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It would find its place at the lower rank with very similar capabilitys to the Pz III Ausf. F, while having a different running gear offering a bit more protection.

The Gun:
Armarment: 5 cm KwK 38 L/42 with 99 rounds and a Mg 34
360° Traverse at 15-20°/sec with -10° to +20° elevation.

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Ammo:(Click to show)

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Ap:

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Pzgr.39 (APC) 2,06 kg 17g Np.10 (28,9g TNTe) 685m/s 80mm/10m

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Pzgr.40 (APCR) 0,925 kg 21x75mm 335g Core 1050 m/s 118mm/10m

(Yes the drawing sayes 0,9kg, however pretty much all captured stock was 0,925kg.)

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He:

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Sprgr.38 (HE (No Tracer)) 1,82 kg 200g Fp.02 und Np.10 (256g TNTa) 450 m/s

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The Vehicle:

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	30 mm (11°) Front plate
	25 mm (85°), 30 mm (53°) Front glacis
	30 mm (22-72°) Lower glacis	30 mm	10 mm (74°), 20 mm (33-70°) Top
	20 mm (11-66°) Bottom		10 mm
Turret	30 mm (14-30°) Turret front
	35 mm (5-52°)Gun mantlet	30 mm (17-26°)	30 mm (0-23°)	10 mm
Cupola	50 mm + 30 mm			10 mm

Crew: 5
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 79 14 19.8 465 572 23.48 28.89
Realistic 71 12 265 300 13.38 15.15

Source:
Panzer Tracts 3-2 by Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle
Panzer III Thomas Anderson
Panzer III & Its Variants Walter J. Spielberger

[warner7]

It looks less stable than the normal panzer 3 chassis, so it may bob up and down more when breaking. But 71kmh, that is a fast panzer. +1 for unique variant

[Ghostmaxi]

There is no instability recorded. Overall its pretty much the forrunner to the Panther suspention, as well as unlike similar russian torsionbar suspentions, it retained the shockabsorber at the front and back and has bump stops at every arm. It should be just as smooth as the Panther.

[warner7]

Yes, as I said bobbing up and down when breaking. The bobbing is more prominant on the panther than the pz series. But it will also be a smoother ride.

[Ghostmaxi]

My bad, i dont remember such and last time playing Panther is a bit longer ago.

[warner7]

No worries. Go play the panthers they are much more fun than top tier stuff, they are borderline OP for their br.

[Zerocookiecake]

Good Battlepass Premium :)

[Ghostmaxi]

If i hate anything in the game, its the battlepass. I dont buy that shii.

Anything but battlepass.

[Zerocookiecake]

Other than a Battlepass Premium or a Squadron vehicle, I see no reason for this to be added to the game. Sorry :(

[Ghostmaxi]

Premium and Squad are acceptable imo, i am just not a fan of Battlepass.
I mean, it aint in my hands to decide, but Battlepass is just bad imo.

[Zerocookiecake]

Fair enough :) Good suggestion regardless :)))

[OsirisD]

Its too normal for squadron vehicle, maybe as event vehicle for regular tt like that one IS-2?

[KillaKiwi]

What’s up with that weird name, though?

[Ghostmaxi]

Its not? The Pz III is generally the Zugführerwagen, to be exact the Z.W.38. Iirc Z.W.39 is the one with the reinforced Roadwheels and suspention, for max increased weight.
The Pz IV is the Begleitwagen B.W.

[KillaKiwi]

So like the Codename? 🤔

Shouldn’t it be called Panzer III Ausf. H/K mit Schachtellaufwerk?

[Ghostmaxi]

I have never seen it having recived that name. Tho, thats basically it.