Panzer III Ausf with option to build E, F or G variant.The Panzerkampfwagen III (SdKfz 141), commonly known as the panzer III, was a medium tank developed in the mid 1930s by Germany, and was used extensively during WW2. It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside and support the similar Panzer IV which was originally designed for infantry support. However, as the Germans faced the formidable Russian T-34 tanks, more powerful anti-tank guns were needed, and since the Panzer IV had more development potential with a larger turret ring, it was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun. The Panzer III effectively swapped roles with the Panzer IV, as from 1942 the last version of Panzer III mounted the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 that was better suited for infantry support. Production of the Panzer III ceased in 1943. Nevertheless, the panzer III's capable chassis provided hulls for the Sturmgeschutz III assault gun until the end of the war. A total of 5,774 were produced between 1939 and 1943.Product Highlights:Option to build an Ausf E, H, J or L variantOpen or closed command & crew hatchesTank crew figures includedSupplied unpainted, assembly requiredScenery, glue and paint not includedIncludes decalsAbout Rubicon Plastic Kits: Rubicon's military models and figures are a firm favourite with modellers and wargamers alike thanks to their highly detailed appearance and easy assembly. The kits are also popular thanks to their versatile build options that ensure you can construct your model to a specification of your choosing, thus, creating a varied and unique scene. Whether you're modelling a wartime diorama or playing a WWII wargame, Rubicon has kits covering everything war-themed, including tanks, tracked vehicles, transport vehicles, utility vehicles, staff cars and un-tracked transport vehicles as well as crew, ground troops/soldiers, command figures, diorama upgrade kits and barricades. And all of this is available to model not only the Allied forces, but the Russian, Italian and German military too