Tamiya 35215 - 1:35 Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.L

Plastic model kit of the Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L tank in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35215 depicts the Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L – one of the later versions of the German medium tank that long formed the backbone of the German armoured divisions. The L version was armed with the long-barrelled 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun, improving its anti-armour capability, and fitted with spaced armour at the front of the hull and on the gun mantlet.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and running-gear parts
• Long-barrelled 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun
• Spaced armour at the front and on the mantlet
• Reproduced road wheels and tracks
• Decal sheet and illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35215
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 158 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a Tamiya-tooled kit it features good parts fit. It is best to fit the additional spaced-armour plates after dry-fitting them first. Emphasise the final result with a wash, dry-brushing and weathering.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail, plus dry-brushing
• Pigments and paints for weathering effects (mud, dust, rust)

About the vehicle – Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L:

The Pz.Kpfw.III was one of the main German tanks of the first half of the Second World War. Successive versions received ever heavier armament and thicker armour. The Ausf.L version, with its long-barrelled 5 cm L/60 gun and spaced armour, was meant to cope with the opponent's increasingly well-armoured tanks.

Original vehicle specifications:

• Length (with gun): approx. 5.5 m
• Width: approx. 3.0 m
• Height: approx. 2.5 m
• Combat weight: approx. 22 t
• Powerplant: Maybach HL120 petrol engine (V12), approx. 300 hp
• Max speed: approx. 40 km/h
• Armament: 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun; two machine guns
• Crew: 5
• Feature: long-barrelled 5 cm gun, spaced armour

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. The 1:35 Military Miniature series is one of the most highly regarded military model lines in the world. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.