Zvezda Panzer III G Review

These Panzer IIIs are done by Zvezda- and are 100% "soft" plastic kits. I put soft in quotes because though they are a much different plastic than the Plastic Soldier Company kits, they aren't flimsy or soft exactly. The models will hold together fine, and can probably take some abuse, but don't think they're going to feel like cheapy plastic soldiers- they really don't.  I picked these up on a whim, and am fairly happy with the purchase. They definitely don't come anywhere near my Battlefront Miniatures Panzer III company for my DAK, but they did cost about 1/3 as much!


These are snap together kits and require no glue, which may be fine if you use them in their intended role as tokens in a Barbarossa themed game by Zvezda, but doesn't quite cut it for wargaming in my opinion. Thus, I used a few dabs of super glue to hold it all together.

REVIEW

First- the price is of course incredibly attractive! I got these from the War Store for less than $4 a pop. Secondly, putting these guys together was about midway between The Plastic Soldier Company and Battlefront. Very little flash, and the pieces mostly went together well. The tracks were a bit fiddly, but not as bad as the Plastic Soldier Company T-34s.

The Detail was crisp and sharp, but not exaggerated at all. Consequently, after a primer and a layer of coat, a lot of the details really start to disappear. The Battlefront model wins hands down here as the details are nice and pronounced.


Size wize this model is dead on with the Battlefront one. You would be hard pressed to tell them apart at a distance.

Finally, in addition to the detail disappearing a bit, there is no stowage or anything else to add to the tank to make them look "lived in". The hatch does not allow for a commander.


In conclusion, this is a good buy, but not a straight forward decision. I really really like the Battlefront Panzer IIIs, they're gorgeous models. These guys are maybe half the quality but at a third the price. If you're just looking to get some Panzer IIIs on the table for cheap these are your best bet.


Next to a Battlefront Panzer IV

FROM WIKIPEDIA

Panzer III was the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and was used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III (abbreviated PzKpfw III) translating as "armoured battle vehicle". It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside the infantry-supporting Panzer IV. However, as the Germans faced the formidable T-34, stronger anti-tank guns were needed. Since the Panzer IV had a bigger turret ring, the role was reversed. The Panzer IV mounted the long barreled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun and engaged in tank-to-tank battles. The Panzer III became obsolete in this role and for most purposes was supplanted by the Panzer IV. From 1942, the last version of Panzer III mounted the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24, better suited for infantry support. Production of the Panzer III ended in 1943. However, the Panzer III's capable chassis provided hulls for the Sturmgeschütz III until the end of the war.


Next to a Battlefront Panzer IV

IN FLAMES OF WAR

Name  weapon	Mobility  range	Front  ROF	Side  anti-tank	Top  Firepower	Equipment and Notes
Panzer III G  5cm KwK Gun	Fully Tracked 24"	3 3	3 7	1 4+	Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected Ammo

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