Panzer III: Versatile Stalwart of The Panzer Force

[@Ubique2927]

It cannot be denied that German armoured vehicles looked so cool!

[@starzkream]

No doubt. Some of the most beautiful machines to ever be made.

[@krakke3188]

I came here to say that, the Panzer III was the first tank that looked like a tank haha :)

[@jayklink851]

My favorite tank is the Panzer III M. Now, it had 80mm of spaced armor, and the M was quite mobile. Finally, and most importantly, I absolutely love the M's aesthetics; it just looks awesome with the side skirts! In reality, the M variant came out a little too late, and wasn't up to par with mid-to-late war Allied tanks. But I still love it.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

oh yeah, I've been impressed by their striking camo patterns on all their armor, since I was building tank models in the 1970's. Everybody else's tank? Solid green, always, on all of them - oh yawn, how dull. It was the Germans who made those ultra-cool camo on their tanks which of course, is the only reason I learned how to use an air-brush, to paint the dunkel-gelb patterns on my tanks -

[@starzkream]

@@krakke3188 I have said the same thing about the FT-17.

[@thetankmuseum]

Hey Tank Nuts! What did you think of our latest video? Which tank do you think was better - Panzer III or Panzer IV? Let us know below

[@spliffburger]

Peener hard

[@almightyyoke]

Panzer IV because I prefer infantry support :))

[@fantasy1254]

I would like to suggest that you guys either add custom subtitles (the auto generated ones do not work well for technical terminology) or add graphics that show the "foreign" words you are using. I am German, and half the time I have no idea what German word Chris is trying to pronounce. He is making a valiant effort, but a majority of the words end up with one cheek on the English and one cheek on the German side.

[@gilde915]

This is a realy beautyful restoration, Mr Hayton did an amazing job and he is a real engineering nerd you can tell. Can we pleeeeease have more of him, if he is willing to volunteer of course.

[@tommycooker3996]

Panzer IV with the 75 mm, although the armor remained an issue

[@jumi9342]

With the long barrel 5cm it's the most aesthetically pleasing tank of all times.

Yes. I like the Pz2 as well.

[@sureshot8399]

It is a good looking tank, but for me the Cromwell pips it.

[@snakedogman]

@@sureshot8399 Cromwell is a damn good looking tank :)

[@jumi9342]

@@snakedogman I think the Comet looks better

[@richardkenan2891]

I've always considered the Panther to be the beauty queen of WW2 tanks, but the Panzer III was definitely a good looking tank too.

[@DerfeeUK]

Production value on this video is amazing! Incredible work team! Editting, sound design and content all top tier

[@hideshisface1886]

Panzer III. A very underrated tank. When people talk about WW II tanks, everyone seems to focus on Panthers, Tigers, Shermans, T-34, occasional Char B. But it is easy to forget how good Panzer III was early in the war. It might not have been revolutionary so to speak, but the combination of advanced features at the time made it exceptional as far as early war vehicles go.

[@Tailssonic1999x]

They also forget about Matilda II, Cromwell, Valentine

[@theunisbodewes8387]

Youre completly right!

[@peakovacevic1533]

You are correct, accept in ones. Panzer III is revolutionary tank. Tank consider armament, protection, and possibility of moving. Panzer III have all that in balance. Sorry for bad english.

[@pandurial]

​@@peakovacevic1533 *correct *accept *armament *protection *possibility

[@pyrtwistPyrtwistWorldInMotion]

Grabbed land from the Channal to the gates of Moscow

[@OddElephantLTU]

One of the best channels on youtube and my favorite presenter. Keep it up.

[@philo6850]

As the quintessential Tank Museum host, Chris is the point man for yet another superb presentation. Details of technical features and the back story of the restoration are just remarkable, very well done by all involved with this production! 👍

[@Jargolf86]

You can see a Lifetime of hard Work with Metal, Oily and Vehicle-Electronics on the Hands of this Aged Gentleman. He seems slim, but his Hands are big, Strong and Textured. My biggest Respect =)

[@kodykernan6917]

Underrated comment. Big respect for worn hands.

[@mcs699]

Creeps.

[@Jargolf86]

Weirdo. You smell a Kink? Respect for the Working Class is no Fetish.

[@Jargolf86]

@@mcs699 Weirdo. You think of a Kink? Respect for the Working Class is not a Fetish.

[@MrRugbylane]

In 2002, long before KZbin I stumbled on the Tank Museum. I got to sit in the Panzer III. Hooked ever since, This is an EXCELLENT video

[@parhamghm]

Bro im in love with mike hayton. He is such calm and good vibe person ,ty for bringing him 🙏🏻👍

[@cheften2mk]

The Valentine deserves a reloaded video. An underrated tank that even Soviets liked, to the point where they asked for more even in 1943.

[@goughrmp]

Def needs more on it. I feel it gets overshadowed by the American tanks arriving in 41 and 42

[@adamjaquay4279]

The Valentine fit a necessary niche that the Soviets had( Recon, patrol, bad terrain ect). The production of the T-70 had stopped in mid 43 (switched to SU-76M i think) and they had lost huge numbers of them so they needed more light tanks so tadaaa!! Send us more Valentine's please... Soviets didn't like the 2pdr version because no HE round but they were quite found of the 6pdr version which did have a very serviceable one. For whatever reason they didn't like the M3A1 Stuarts they got(???) Yep underated tank for sure.

[@adamjaquay4279]

@@goughrmp British tanks weren't as bad as everyone says they were lol. Plus the US tanks arriving in 41/42 weren't that awesome either. The M3 Grant/Lee was a stopgap until they worked the numerous bugs out of the Sherman and the M3 Stuart had teething issues that didn't get ironed out until the M5 later on. I'm a huge fan of the British Cruiser tanks, engines sucked but very handsome vehicles!!

[@AndyTernay]

💯 agree.

[@Robert53area]

​@@adamjaquay4279this is why the soviets didn't like the Stuart or Lee. They Stuart they said arrived with reliability issues in the bogs and terrain of the east. The Lee they didn't like the mix typing of ammo. The Sherman were to tall and were spotted easily on the Easter front, but did great in the mountain passes along the amur river.

[@mdkd99]

Great video, love the editing! Panzer III was a pretty good vehicle, it was probably one of the best in terms of crew comfort and effectiveness for an individual tank unit. The use of the chassis for the StuG III proves that it was highly reliable. Great to see this one still running, hope to visit the tank museum some day.

[@sadwingsraging3044]

Thank you Mr. Hayton for your hard work and care for such a nice piece of history. Nice jacket as well!🤘🏻😎

[@tank_museum_guy]

Amazing to have the museum “old guard” like Mike give feedback on the original restoration and the challenges. Our museums and their operational collections today are built on the shoulders of the years of hard work of experts and enthusiasts like Mike. Great video

[@thekinginyellow1744]

I love these deep dives. You guys are getting so good at this; The standard by which all other are judged

[@murrayscott9546]

Thanks, Mike and to all involved -- even the Krauts ! Well done !

[@joeelliott2157]

Despite what is commonly claimed, the Panzer III and Panzer IV were the best tanks in the world in 1939-1942. On paper, French tanks look superior. If you just compare armor thickness, muzzle velocity, etc. the French tank and the Soviet T-34 seem superior. But this ignores the Panzer's special advantages. Excellent crew arrangement of 5, with 3 in the turret, 2 in the hull. Working radio. Excellent optics. The more famous 1943-1945 Panther and Tiger were arguably inferior to the Sherman which could be produced in numbers and more easily maintained. American engineers could not build bridges for something as heavy as a Panther. This was not a problem for the Germans, who were on the defensive and used permanent bridges. These heaver tanks would not have been useful in 1940 because they could not get across the Meuse and other rivers efficiently.

[@dylanmilne6683]

Very interesting interview with Mr Hayton. A true engineer, his insight is very valuable. I would love more content with him!

[@c.j.zographos3713]

I like these Tank Chat reloads as they offer a bit more context and a broader perspective.

[@baillotvictor613]

The video quality this channel offer is off the roof. Interviewing Mike Hayton was a master idea.

[@khairulhelmihashim2510]

It does not have biggest gun or thickest armor. Just a well balanced tank suited for WW2 German army offensive doctrine.

[@davebarrowcliffe1289]

My maternal Grandad signed up in 1939 despite having two toddlers, one of which was my mum, born 1937. His pals were killed at Narvik, which he missed due to a throat infection. He never, ever, talked about his service. Ever. I know now, he was seconded to the Royal Navy in 1944 because they were short of comms guys. He ended the war in Trincomalee in Ceylon. During the entire war, he only had three home leaves. Albert Evans was his name.

[@discardingsabot5898]

My Grandad was in the Bearclaw division, 2nd wave in Normandy, they eventually went south into Czechoslovakia. By his account they wouldn't got off the beach without a bunch of Texas boys showing up as backup. (please don't let that trigger the other heros on the beach) Lol he was from Dallas, Texas, those boys talked about it. I've heard many say their g-paw NEVER talked about ww2, not Texans, lol. When I was in 6th grade we went camping and he showed me how he snuck around an orchard in Belgium and shot German snipers. Skills useful to me to this very day. I cried the whole time and demanded to sleep in front seat of the truck.

[@simongee8928]

The Notek rear convoy light was very well designed. With two pairs of red lamps; if you could see all four, you were too close, only one, too far away, but seeing two red lamps, you were the correct distance. Simple but effective. Much better than the British system of just shining a white lamp on the white painted final drive of the rear axle - !

[@zeedub8560]

The M60, and probably M1, used a similar system for use with the driver's night vision periscope, which had no depth perception. I'm trying to remember exactly what they were but it's been too long. But the Germans pretty much hit on the best concept for maintaining proper road march intervals at night.

[@smartysmart3116]

Always quality presentations from the Tank Museum

[@uweboker5983]

Thanks for the close insights into this Panzer 3. Highly informative and well done!

[@diedampfbrasse98]

nicely done on the highlighting with color (pedals/instruments/etc) and other such tricks, plus many closeup pictures in context to visually explain what is being described! excellent educational video

[@JPR3D]

I gotta say I'm loving these videos, especially this one. The narration, the choice of music, camera work. Outstanding.

[@keithplymale2374]

Panzer III has always been my favorite tank of W W II. It just looks so much looks like what a tank should look like.

[@66kbm]

Great video, nice to see Mike again. I miss seeing the Workshop videos, remember the "Matilda Diaries".

[@LmgWarThunder]

I love the interview you guys had with the restorer who shared some of the backstory behind getting the Panzer 3 into the condition it is in today. Depends that there is always been one of my favorite tanks. I even have a model of it at home on my shelf

[@retepeyahaled2961]

Very good video. As you say, the Pantzer III was a very important tank from an evolutionary point of view. I concider it the very first truly modern tank, with a a three man turret in which there was a well thought ergonomic lay out for a commander, a gunner and a loader. The radio equipment was revolutionary as well - and the torque suspension has become the standard for modern tank suspension. Of course, when other modern tanks appeared with heavier armour and armament, it became outclassed - which is the fate of any tank. I am no expert, just an enthousiast, so please do correct me where I am wrong.

[@RoboticDragon]

You guys do such amazing work, I am glad to be a supporter. I always love hearing from people who know so much about something and genuinely love what they are talking about.

[@MrWeezy312]

one of the least respected panzers yet probably the most important one when considering it and its derivatives stug 3 especially.

[@khorgor]

So good to see Mike again, i had the chance to talk to him when he was still Workshop Manager. Man knows so much about tanks, its incredible. Thanks for the video

[@tactilecraft4773]

Awesome video you guys, really. Immaculate detail, not a single dull moment, and a complete overview. As always, I can't wait for the next video!

[@theonlymadmac4771]

A great presentation! Thanks very much for the piece about a much underrated and historically important tank

[@danestormfeltz7815]

Loving these Tank Chats Reloaded with Chris Copson! Keep up the great work Chris and Museum!

[@residentgeardo]

Wow, the interview with Mike Hayton really was great. It must have been a tremendous job restoring the tank given how it looked on the "before" pictures. What also struck me: It was built in Nuremberg in June of 1942 and already captured in September of 1942. A really short service life.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

well, you have to look at the situation in north africa at the time. it was knocked out just a few weeks before the 2. battle of el alamein

[@kukatahansa]

Red coloration is on point! Good job. Also very good video with great info.

[@James80312]

Panzer III is my favorite tank of all time. The IV is cool, but the smaller turret design of the III with the L60 gun is visually cooler to me. It fits more properly in my mind

[@madaro504]

Yay!! Tank museum is back!!

[@babboon5764]

Used to getting a superb presentation from Chri Copson - but bringing in Mike Hayton for an expert engineer's assessment really added an extra dimension *Take a bow guys - That was excellent*

[@itsnotagsr]

Really enjoyed this deep dive. Perhaps the museum could do more videos that go into the context of how their example was captured and how the tank was used in that battle?

[@depleteduraniumcowboy3516]

I very much enjoy the insides. Cool that you had the restorer on. Thanks.

[@lyleswan4106]

This is a phenomenal video. I have been watching for years, the emotional/story telling backed with visuals and narration is excellent. Posing a question also got me hooked. Every year you guys keep pushing the boat further out. Top tier. thank you

[@rabbitholereviews]

Even after the Panzer IIII was considered obsolete, the 50mm L/60 main gun was used right through 1945 (in the Sd.Kfz. 234 Puma armored car)

[@cpt_4meric4]

Quality videos this channel has

[@AdamMGTF]

This is amazing. What a restoration. And Mike is a gem of a chap.

[@brunomadeira8432]

It's a beautifully designed vehicle crafty built essentially with peacetime considerations. The problems that would creep in in latter German designs are already lurking beneath it.

[@TheStugbit]

This is by far the best video I've seen about the Panzer III tank. It's definitely my favorite tank, one of the main reasons it's because of its quite harmonic lines. Such an iconic design! For some reason, I think it kind of looks like the modern Israeli Merkava tank, especially the Mark IV version of it. Their turrets kind of bring that same feeling. They're not exaggerated tanks in size. And both have ways of the crew scape easily and all. I may be wrong, but I still think future tanks will have to look more and more like the Panzer III.

[@bobn2805]

I love these longer documentary type videos. Thanks!

[@Maurie-d7b]

Enjoyed that very much, the restorer was a matter of fact guy and not full of him self, a great job sir.

[@kylemfwelch]

Thanks for a balanced and objective take on this story

[@ImThines]

The passion and knowledge in this video is awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@thomascampbell4730]

very excellent presentation, thanks for preserving this icon of German engineering.

[@rsfaeges5298]

Very fine video. Having Mike join you was an excellent move.

[@cesarvidelac]

I'm not a tank expert but I'm surprised to learn it was a pre war design, it's very advanced to the point it resembles modern tanks, before this documentary I thought it was a tank designed on the base of war experience. Great video as always, thanks for sharing!

[@RohanGillett]

Another tremendously good video. The PzIII gets so little love I'm glad you made this video. I have to choose which was better, III or IV? They both look good but as a turreted tank, I'd go with the PzIV as it fought from the beginning of the war until the end. But as a chassis that found numerous uses as TD, SPG, assault gun, flakpanzer, etc, the Pz III is pretty good!! It was a good workhorse.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

The Pzkw IV had better armament and armor as its chassis was capable of handling it whereas the Pzkw III was not capable of heavier armor and gun. The III was great for anti-infantry use. The IV was better for dealing with a wider range of threats.

[@SteamCrane]

Mike Hayton is a great resource! It would be good to see more of him.

[@TheIvanNewb]

Oh hey nice, I really liked David Willey's Panzer III tank chat but thought it was too short (even though it was long for an early tank chat). I do like the Panzer III, especially the late long-barrel and the N version, so seeing it get the Tank Chats Reloaded treatment (with the improved production quality these days) is really nice! Thanks!

[@arturorodriguez-martin1839]

The very best tank video I’ve ever seen!

[@brunocalico]

Great documentary. 30 min well spent. More like this, please.

[@DoctorP131]

As always a great video, well presented. Also a shoutout to the photo and video footage: the tank museum video's always have rather unique footage you havent seen before.

[@JuergenGDB]

Beautiful, just a first-class representation and discussion on the Pz. III. Thank you and God bless al the restoring work you all do!

[@Marshmallox43]

thank you very much for that great video. i really like the Pnazer III, although I like the Panzer IV a tiny bit more. Its amaizing how well reserved/restored these are and its great to see a piece of history up close. its a living witness of one of the most significant historical events and also a proof of masterclass engeneering

[@LegacyUser]

I think PZ3 is probably the best interwar tank. Even if it was obsolete by 42, it still looked snazzy.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

I mean it wasn't really obsolete by 1942. It was still comparable to most enemy tanks even in early 1944. And that's with its planned upgrades canceled due panther (such as the krupp suggestion for a new turret to mount the 7.5cm kwk40 L48)

[@4T3hM4kr0n]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 Chassis wouldn't be able to handle the added weight, plus they already were using the chassis for the casemate Stug. Plus adding the the long 75 to the Panzer III when they already have the upgunned Panzer IV is redundant, so no it had nothing to do with the Panther (which mounted a much better gun)

[@godweenausten]

this video is really well made, and I especially appreciate the details mentioned. Looking forward to see more of similar in-depth stuff on other ww2 tanks as well. Thanks

[@meep231_]

Thank you for all the time and effort you put into these. Love learning all the little details!

[@judebrad]

Absolutely great job on the restoration.

[@daveybyrden3936]

But I can't believe they painted the gun breech - a central, eye catching feature - in the wrong colour.

[@PaletoB]

Production value is great on this one! 👍

[@jim7544]

Very informative and well done. Thanks!

[@leopardgecko4226]

One of my favorite tanks. I like the way it looks.

[@rasthurlo6812]

So glad he mentioned the Stug at the end of the video - the pinnacle of this platform

[@jordanhinchliffe7736]

Great Video. Love the work you all do :)

[@Dan_TheCatman]

Superb video! No wonder Ball bearing factories were so important lol

[@bigsarge2085]

Interesting as usual! Thank you.

[@steve1315]

Very good,liked the highlighted parts on the tank.

[@Dumlen]

Great and informative video. Really hope that I can visit the Tank Museum soon again, almost been 7 years since I was there.

[@javierherrero7569]

Excellent video and great summary of the Panzer III. It is my favourite tank, although it was clearly outmatched against the overwhelming adversaries in a few years. But it was the key vehicle that cleared the path for the German Panzer legends, and the latter keys of design of future designs. Thanks a lot for the video, I would really like to go vist the museum in the future.👏👏

[@Clockwinder]

Amazing Video of one of my Favorite tanks, I'm a Yank and wish I could get over to see it!

[@vr66luke]

Fantastic as always, thank you!

[@sparky694]

Awesome video as always I always thought the Panzer III was a good looking tank and one that is well proportioned. A favorite of mine in the modeling world

[@stco2426]

I really enjoyed this. Well done, team and great work Mike. Interesting context and a great tour of the vehicle and variants. I especially like that you highlight and colour-code features as you describe them. It must take time but it's very useful for the viewer. You can see the German lineage in so much of the technical manufacturing of the time, and today.

[@stuartb9194]

Welcome back, Chris. Nice to have a traditional Tank Museum 'proper' tank chat again. Definitely what i signed up for.

[@josthugel1137]

Great video by Chris Copson, typical of British Fairness, although the Panzer III is responsible for many British war casualties. The interview with Mike Hayton is the icing on the cake. It's possible that compliments from Germany may seem a little strange, especially when German technology is praised, but it's an example of British fairness and objectivity. And proof that we belong together when it comes to defending freedom. Thanks to Winston Churchill.

[@douglarse]

Really interesting video, I get the impression that Mike has forgotten more than many engineers will ever know,

[@andrewcoley6029]

Great content. Thank you.

[@admanpaulandrew]

Congratulations on an excellent explaination and guide.

[@daveybyrden3936]

At 25:05 we hear about a really nice feature of the Panzer 3 and Panzer 4 : two small lamps that warn you when the gun barrel is overhanging the side of the vehicle. It would have been nice to see also how they worked. The bottom edge of the turret, inside the tank, had four tiny metal "fingers" protruding down, and as the turret rotated they would engage, at the appropriate moment, a 4-position rotary wheel that turned the lights on and off.

[@ariebroek2404]

Thanks for the great content. Love it!! The Pzr III is a pretty tank, but to light for a tank and to heavy for recon. These tanks even fought at Kursk as flank protection of the armoured sprearhead. That’s a bit desperate if you ask me

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

They were not really that light. Very comparable to allied mediums tanks.

[@mattkingaby]

I have to say this, I think that is the best explanation/tour video I have seen. Often there is so much concentration on the outside of the vehicle and little on the inside, which for me is completely the wrong way round. It reminds me of diving films where they spend 55 mins telling the story a 5 mins diving the wreck - no I want to see the dive on the wreck. Please can we have more videos like this one where you spent time, explanations and graphics on the interior x

[@ianbell5611]

Great video👍

[@fritztheblitz1061]

Thank you for this video and restore this wunderfull tank. My favorit german tank.

[@Strada098]

Very informative, in much more detail then all the many video's there are on WW II hardware. I also appreciate the former workshop manager giving even more interesting details. I was not bored for a second watching it :-)

[@bmcg5296]

This again by Chris has been such a brilliant video, that just flew by so quick in 30 mins & 32 seconds. Such a great joy to see a former manager of the workshop who just loved this tank. Unfortunately Chris really never got talking about the item every nation wanted, it was its advanced technology miniaturised to fit in such a small tank. Any guesses before next paragraph? This is the radio receiver and transmitter. Miniaturised enough to fit into a small Panzer III, this was the ability to have transistors so small, we could see here briefly was that radio equipment. This was how Germany rolled over everyone in early war, as all tanks were in the loop picking and wiping out targets fast and effectively. The panzer 1 could receive but not send, this is where a command tank was made for this purpose. Even this was a massive step up in warfare often overlooked, especially seeing how small these tanks are in reality.

[@daveybyrden3936]

Transistors did not exist during WW2. The radios in Panzers were based on valve technology, and even so, they were big for their time. Goering himself complained that radios in his Luftwaffe seemed too big. Also, each radio device that you see in the video required its own step-up transformer, which was almost as big again.

[@Emtbtoday]

One of the better videos very good

[@robdgaming]

I really enjoyed this detailed look at a tank of major importance throughout WWII. However, it had typically German design flaws. The description of the system of shafts, gearboxes, and bearings that connected the clutch pedal to the clutch shows the over-complications that doomed the production efficiency and reliability of early-war German military equipment in the long run.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

The panzer 3 was actually super easy to produce. Only 4000 manhours, signifcanlty less than the 36000 manhours to build a sherman.

[@anselmdanker9519]

😊 thank you for a great presentation as always.

[@paulhills1967]

What a brilliant video. Thank you!

[@johnhickman8391]

My favorite tank, an the most underrated of the war.