Panzer III radio

[Funksammler]

I showed the antenna of the Panzer III in a previous thread, here is Fu5 set inside the tank. The radio operators visor was opened, so I just stuck the camera in and tried to get some decent shots in the dark interior.

In the Panzer III the transmitter and receiver wer placed on top of eachother. Note the plugholders on the right of the frame. These were used to plug in the power cables when the Fu5 set was not in use. Note that the casing is missing from the receiver. Also note the earthing cable running from the top right shock mount to the ceiling panel:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=DSC03057.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC03057.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The bow machine gun sits in front of the radio set making it a cramped working space for the Funker. Note the connection box on the bottom left of the frame, it is marked Kasten.Pz.nr. 8a "z. Empf. Fernh." Also note the the brackets to hold the lids of of the radios just under the radio frames. Interestingly the radioframes are marked "Empf 1" and "Empf. 2" so these were probably not originally from a Pz III but probably from an early Pz IV where the two receivers were placed on top of eachother:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=DSC03056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC03056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Looking slightly up shows the light mounted against the ceiling. Just behind the radios you can see the turret ring and just before it a grab handle for the Funker. Also note the typical rubber shock mount between the inner and outer mounting frames:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=DSC03063.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC03063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Swinging forward you can mainly see the equipment below the bow machine gun. I am not entirely sure if this is the mounting frame for a second Ukw.E.e receiver, perhaps the inner frame with shock mounts are missing. There appers to be a bracket for storing the radio lid underneath. Note on the top right of the picture the antenna plug going to the "swing mount" of the antenna:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=DSC03066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC03066.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

regards,

Funksammler

[me6_130]

Great visual information, thanks

Do you have some pics of the MG system?

I found these two related to PzKpfw III, might help. I don't know if the first is correct but the second seems to coincide with what you said:

Carles

[Funksammler]

This is the only other shot I have of the MG system:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=DSC03065.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC03065.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I also took one looking backwards, showing the turret drive:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/?action=view&amp;current=DSC03067.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC03067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

regards,

Funksammler

[me6_130]

Nice pics, thanks. If you don't mind, I'd file them for study purpose.

Carles

[Funksammler]

No problem!

Nice pics, thanks. If you don't mind, I'd file them for study purpose.

Carles

[Dufleuve]

Very interesting pictures.

I'll do the same as Carles if you don't mind.

Cheers

[Funksammler]

No problem.

I noticed from the handbook picture that the transmitter was actually placed in front under the bow MG, while the two receivers are indeed placed on top of eachother. The "Empf. 1" and "Empf. 2" is after all correct of the Panzer III. This also confirms that the rack under the MG is indeed for the transmitter. There should be another "Kasten Panzer" near the right bottom corner of the frame, but this is obscured by the MG. Also note that the small bracket on the bottom right of the transmitter frame actually held the morse key.

regards,

Funksammler

[Yuri D.]

Nice photos Funksammler. I am very surprised a tank survived this long with all internals so well preserved. Is that black device in the picture the Schleifringuebertrager?

[Nick Komiya]

I think the Schleifringüberträger will be positioned beneath the turret turntable. Here's the 8 track Ausf. E as used in Panthers and Tigers

[Nick Komiya]

Plate

[me6_130]

Please,

What is the Schleifringuebertrager?


Carles

[Nick Komiya]

Translated, it's a slip ring electrical transfer, installed in the hull to supply power to a rotating turret of a tank. There are various types according to the number of circuits required for the turret.

[me6_130]

Thanks nick,

I had the impression it was something of that kind but as the thread started with the radios I was a bit confused.

Carles

[la5he@yahoo.no]

Panzer museum

I saw nothing like this at the German Panzermuseum north of Hannover.

Where is this stuff located ? rgds Ragnar

[Nick Komiya]

Here they are on a radio diagram from the Panther Fibel and the installation position on a King Tiger. By the way, I wish to thank Funksammler, too for the Pz III photos. First time I ever saw the temporary sockets for the plugs. The Panther radio diagram features these plug holders, too, but I never could figure out what they were until I saw these pictures, thanks. The only thing I don't understand is what situations would occasion the use of such holders. The antenna box also has a socket when the radio is not connected, and all that tells me that the Germans anticipated running the tanks with unconnected radios frequently enough to warrant such an accessory.