Panzerbeobactungswagon III Ausf F (Sd.Kfz. 143)

[sturmbird]

Wow that's a lot of letters and some numbers!

I gather it's a command tank, but to me it's strange. No main gun, but a piece of pipe to look like a main gun. Yet it has a different mantle with an MG 34 where the main gun would reside. It's a Dragon kit # 6792, and all the color schemes show it in 1945 east Europe. Now knowing that they used a ton of Panzer III's in Africa (including the IIIF), did they use this oddball in Africa? I looked in my limited supply of DAK books and see nothing to say they did, but also nothing to say they didn't. Anybody know the correct answer?

Gary

[dierk]

I don't think these were ever used by the DAK.

[joelsmith]

The tank you are describing is a observation vehicle. The German word "beobachter" signifies its usage. It was user for artillery spotting, and command and control. Hope this helps, Joel.

[Deleted]

Osprey's "Workhorse" series "Panzer III in North Africa" shows a color plate of a Beobachtungspanzer III in Tunisia. It indicates a RAL 8000/RAL 7008 camo pattern.
How accurate that is, well I'm not sure.

G

[sturmbird]

Mar 29, 2017 12:41:15 GMT -5 @agentg said:

Osprey's "Workhorse" series "Panzer III in North Africa" shows a color plate of a Beobachtungspanzer III in Tunisia. It indicates a RAL 8000/RAL 7008 camo pattern.
How accurate that is, well I'm not sure.

G

I found a photo of a command tank, but it was not the observation variety. Yet by the time they were in North Africa, the F series was considered obsolete. So why not? They did use arty over there. I did get a long time question answered last night by the way. They did use the PAK 40 in Africa. Found a photo of a half track hauling one thru the sand. Plus I got all the pieces in house.
gary

[Deleted]

Gary you might as well go for it. If nothing else it's a unique addition to anyone's collection!

G

[mrversatile]

Does "Beob" in any German vehicle name mean Observation?

[moramarth]

Does "Beob" in any German vehicle name mean Observation?

"Beobachtung" = "Observation", according to Google Translate.

HTH,

M

[panzerjager2]

I'm just gonna throw my "2 cents in"............ It is doubtful at best that any Beo III's were EVER issued to units in Afrika/Tunisia. Reason for this is two fold:
A). Supply delivery for the AK at the time of production and possible issue.
B) Some org charts show a "listing" for Beo's. HOWEVER if you follow the line item there is 0 in the box that shows on hand.


But what the heck ONLY IPMS weenies will pitch a bitch. 
PJ2

[sturmbird]

Mar 29, 2017 19:50:05 GMT -5 panzerjager2 said:

I'm just gonna throw my "2 cents in"............ It is doubtful at best that any Beo III's were EVER issued to units in Afrika/Tunisia. Reason for this is two fold:
A). Supply delivery for the AK at the time of production and possible issue.
B) Some org charts show a "listing" for Beo's. HOWEVER if you follow the line item there is 0 in the box that shows on hand.


But what the heck ONLY IPMS weenies will pitch a bitch. 
PJ2

I have a picture of a Befhelswagon, and what now looks like a second one. Still not a Beobactungswagon. I did find out what the real difference is between a generic panzer III and the one I'm seeking data on. They had to remove the main gun, to make room for a map table and radio gear. Bet that was quite a sight in there!

I think I'll build it in the odd form just for it's uniqueness. Maybe in a late 1944 setting in Poland or Ukrania.
I will do the PAK 40 build in a DAK setting, but want the kit I have for another project. Lots of PAK 40's out there to choose from.
gary

[sturmbird]

more data on that Panzer III.

The never made one from new construction, but all were refurbs from everything from an E series to the M series. The main thing was the turret. I have found a photo of one in use, but have no idea where. The one I saw looks like it was on the Ost Front. There is at least one in a museum (maybe Belgium). Was found a little north of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. It was built off a Panzer IIIh hull. They were normally used in an arty outfit that consisted of Wespe's, Hummels, and maybe Nashorns. Found none used with towed artillery, but that also doesn't make a lot of sense. In otherwords used with arty doing indirect fire.
gary