The German Panzer III Ausf. E (with Winter Tracks) was one of the first fully developed production models of the Panzer III series, introduced in 1939 and serving through the early years of the war. The Ausf. E featured a redesigned torsion bar suspension with six road wheels per side, greatly improving mobility compared to earlier prototypes. Armour was increased to 30mm on the front and sides, offering better protection against light anti-tank weapons, while armament consisted of the 3.7cm KwK 36 L/45 gun supported by two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns. Powered by the Maybach HL 120 TR engine, it could reach speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph) on roads. For operations on the Eastern Front, many Panzer III Ausf. Es were equipped with winter track extensions (also called Winterketten), which widened the tracks to improve grip and mobility on snow and ice. These modifications allowed the tank to remain operational in the harsh winter conditions of 1941–42, though by this time the 3.7cm gun was already inadequate against newer Soviet armour. The Ausf. E with winter tracks played a key role in Germany’s early campaigns, bridging the gap between pre-war light tanks and the more heavily armed Panzer III variants that followed.
 
Multi part resin model.
 
Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.