Germany's Flammpanzer III Ausf M (F1) SdKfz 141/3; PzKpfw III Flammpanzer III (SdKfz 141/3)
Photos
Flammpanzer III: |
Design
100 PzKpfw III Ausf M were converted from February to April 1943 by Wegmann Waggonfabrik in Kassel. The main gun was replaced by an oil projector 1,500 mm long and 140 mm in diameter. Two oil tanks (1,000 liters4) with an auxiliary engine were installed in the hull. It could be used for approximately 125 1 second bursts. The maximum range was 60 m, however, practical range was 40 m. A MG 34 was installed in the hull and one coaxially in turret. 30 mm of additional armor plate was added. The crew consisted of the driver, radio operator, and commander. The commander was alone in the turret.
The flamethrower was installed by Wegmann, Kassel1
Prototype
Production
Variants
Usage
In July 1943, 41 were available at the battle of Kursk in the 6th, 11th, and Grossdeutschland Panzer Divisions.
Specifications
| Flammpanzer SdKfz 141/3 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 33,12, 51 |
| Radio | FuG53 |
| Radio - commander | FuG23 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 23 tons3, 25.5 tons1 |
| Length w/gun | 17.75'1 6.41 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 8.2'1 2.5 m3 |
| Width | 9.6'1 2.95 m3 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 15.4"1 |
| Ground contact length | 112.5"1 |
| Ground pressure | 14.4 psi1 |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 14 mm Flammenwerfer3 Flamethrower1,2 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2: MG2 2: 7.92 mm MG341,3 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 1,000 liters3 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 3,750 Patr SmK3 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 2+0.8"1 Side: 1.2"1 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 50+20@9°3 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 50+30@21°3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 30@0°3 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 50@17°3 & 50@9°3 |
| Hull Top | 18@17-90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 16@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 2.24"+0.8"1 57@15°3 Mantlet: 50+20@0-45°3 |
| Turret Sides | 1.2"1 30@25°3 |
| Turret Rear | 30@12°3 |
| Turret Top | 10@83-90°3 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TRM1,3 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | Water1 |
| Cylinders | V-121 |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 300@3,000 rpm1 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | 6.5:11 |
| Transmission (Type) | Synchromesh1 6 forward, 1 reverse.1,3 |
| Steering | Clutch brake1 |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | Electric and inertia1 |
| Electrical system | Starting: 24-volt1 Running: 12-volt1 |
| Ignition | Magnito1 |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline1 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 85 gallons1 |
| Road consumption | 1.5 mpg1 |
| Cross country consumption | 0.62 mpg1 |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand.1,3 |
| Speed - Road | 40 kph3 |
| Speed - Cross Country | |
| Range - Road | 90 miles1 155 km3 |
| Range - Cross Country | 53 miles1 |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | -8° to +20°3 |
| Fording depth | 31.5"1 |
| Trench crossing | 7.6'1 |
| Vertical obstacle | 23.6"1 |
| Climbing ability | 30° (57%) slope1 |
| Suspension (Type) | Torsion bar1 |
| Wheels each side | 61 |
| Return rollers each side | 31 |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin1 |
| Length | |
| Width | 15.75"1 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | 921 |
| Pitch | 4.9"1 |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 8.25'1 |
Sources:
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Airfix Magazine Guide #8 German Tanks of World War 2, Terry Gande and Peter Chamberlain, 1975
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
