Zugführerwagen 40 - Trying Something Out

[DMYEugen 688]

TL;DR: A Panzer III with interleaved roadwheels.

 

History:

In August of 1940, FAMO received an order for production of a new tank suspension with interleaved roadwheels, similar to what can be observed on the Sd.Kfz.9. Alkett sent 21 Panzer III tanks to FAMO to assist with development. The initial prototype was based on a standard Panzer III G. The following 20 were hybrids, Panzer III G hulls mated with Panzer III H turrets. The tanks that received the new suspension system were designated Zugführerwagen 40 (Z.W.40). The return rollers of the tanks were removed as the new roadwheels were 850mm in diameter and some received new evaluation hatches. This modification did achieve the desired result of increased ground clearance and off-road performance, however, it didn't really do much else. The new system didn't increase how much weight the vehicle could handle. As such, no upgrades to armor or armament were possible. The main problem, however, was that this modification was a tad late. Work on the VK 20.01 was already underway, which later developed into the VK 30.02 and subsequently became the famous Panther. Due to this, work on the modified Panzer IIIs didn't progress any further and the vehicles were repurposed for training.

 

Place In War Thunder:

While not very useful, the Z.W.40 is a neat Panzer III variant that would simply have better off-road performance, allowing it to more confidently traverse unfavorable terrain. I think this vehicle would work best as a Rank I squadron vehicle since it's really just a funky Panzer III. Playstyle wouldn't be anything wacky, but it would be really cool to have. This vehicle could act as a new player's first introduction to squadron vehicles as well, as it would be Rank I, thus being one of the first vehicles they see.

 

Specifications:

Armament: 5cm KwK 38 L/42 and 2x 7.92mm MG34

 

Dimensions: 5.56m, 2.90m, 2.50m (L,W,H)

 

Armor: Same as Panzer III F in-game.

 

Crew: 5

 

Ammunition: Same as Panzer III F in-game.

 

Speed: Same as Panzer III F in-game but with better off-road performance.

 

Pictures:

Spoiler

In Mud:

 

Side Views (Sledding Experiment):

 

Two Z.W.40s behind a production Panzer III:

 

Sources:

Spoiler

https://warspot.net/380-transitional-panzer-iii

https://www.armedconflicts.com/Z-W-40-t36293

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_III

Panzer Tracts 3-2  by Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle

 

Edited August 28, 2021 by DMYEugen

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Open for discussion.

[Milocat 4,857]

Why not?  +1 from me, looks cool.

[DMYEugen 688]

28 minutes ago, Miki_Hoshii said:

Open for discussion.

Thanks!

[Ghostmaxi 873]

I love it!