Barcode: 0 89195 87385 9
Case pack: 48 Pieces per carton
Box Size: 6.4" x 10.2" x 1.9"

Features:
- Newly tooled photo-etched parts on hull top
- Delicate Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L w/5 cm KwK 39 is newly produced
- Turret hatch can be assembled open/closed
- Delicate hull front w/realistic MG 34
- Intricate fenders w/detailed OVMs
- Road wheels and sprockets
- Final drive housing covers are separate parts for maximum detail
- Engine deck w/tow cable exquisitely produced
- Air deflector authentically represented with photo-etched mesh
- One-piece slide-molded lower hull with examplary detail
- Exhaust pipes with hollow ends
- Two types of cooling air intakes are provided with and without air-intake grills
- Slide-molded hydraulic shock absorbers are crisply molded
- One-piece DS tracks for ease of assembly

The Panzer III was a medium-class tank that at the outbreak of WWII was designed to be the primary platform of the all-conquering panzer divisions. However, with the advent of more heavily armored and up-gunned enemy tanks, the role of the Panzer III became secondary to that of the Panzer IV and production finally ceased in 1943. One of the later models to be produced was the Panzer III Ausf.L, which featured a longer and more powerful 5cm KwK 39 L/60 main gun. It also boasted thicker armor, with an additional 20mm-thick layer on the turret and hull front. A total of 653 Ausf.L tanks were produced in 1942 by German factories.

This new kit specifically offers modelers the chance to build a Late-Production variant of the Panzer III Ausf.L. It includes new toolings, like the long-barreled cannon. It also draws upon the technical and technological pedigree of the larger 1/35 Smart Kit, including full detail and convenient assembly. The upper hull is slide molded as a single piece, as is the accurate lower hull, both elements containing crisp detail. The turret is made from a multi-directional slide mold, and hatches can be shown open or closed depending on the builder’s preference. Where appropriate, photo-etched pieces such as mesh for the deflector grill are also offered.

Reviews

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Series Kit No. 7385; Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. L Late Production; 116 parts (108 in grey styrene, 6 etched brass, 2 DS Plastic track runs); pre-order price US$17.50 via Dragon USA Online

Advantages: first new kit of a Pzkw. III from DML in several years; based on StuG III kits with same attention to detail

Disadvantages: nothing major noted

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German small-scale modelers

After a hiatus of several years DML has now returned to 1/72 scale Panzer III kits with this new release of an Ausf. L. Using some of the tooling and parts from the nicely done StuG III kits from 2007, it captures the right look of the L variant with the long 5 cm L/60 gun.

As noted, only sprue D (wheels) and E (the tracks) are retained from the StuG kit. Three new sprues cover the upper hull and turret of the L model and its details.

As before the kit makes a great deal of use of slide molding for its parts. The return rollers are molded together but the slide mold provides for the face details of each pair. The same is true for the gun barrel and a hollow bore as well as some other smaller details.

The hull comes with the places marked in raised lines for the side hatches, but from what information I have late model Ls did not have side hatches. A few careful passes with a knife tip or mini-chisel should remove them. The vision ports have been removed from the turret.

The kit now has supplemental directions for the DS Plastic tracks that advises pulling on them if too short or trimming them if too long: as they do take standard plastic cements this is not a major problem and will ensure a good fit.

The kit comes with six etched brass bits: the engine radiator air intakes and exhaust grilles and the rain shield over the forward spaced armor array. Two braces do not show up in the directions.

Credit is given to Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson for technical assistance.

The kit offers four finishing options: Pz.Rgt. 25, 7th Panzer Division, South Russia 1943 (whitewash, red 301); Pz.Rgt. 4, 13th Panzer Division, South Russia 1942 (sand with brown, white 7-11); Pz.Rgt. 33, 9th Panzer Division, South Russia 1942 (sand with green blotches, red 421); and SS Wiking Division, Russia 1942 (sand, white 115). A targeted sheet of Cartograf decals is provided.

Overall this is a nice (and simple!) kit of a late model Panzer III and should prove popular.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

- Cookie Sewell