Specification Crew : 5 Engine : Maybach HL 120TRM Combat weight : 19.80 tons Max speed : road . 40 km/h Range : 165 km Length : 5.38 m Width : 2.91 m Height : 2.44 m Main gun : One 37mm KwK L/46.5 : Three 7.92mm MG34 Armour : 12mm to 30mm

Basically the Ausf F was the same vehicle as the Ausf E.In fact it was the result of an order to mass-produce an effective battle tank.In January 1939 the order was reduced by 250 , after production orders had been placed for the improved models , Ausf G and H.The basic change was to the ignition system.Early in the production run cast air-intakes were added to the upper hull plate to allow air circulation for brakes and final-drive cooling.The majority were produced mounting the 37mm KwK , but approximately 100 were equipped with the 50mm KwK L/42 and external mantlet as original equipment.From August 1940 until 1942 many of the remainder were converted from the 37mm KwK to the 50mm KwK L/42 and external gun mantlet.Orders were also issued to up-armour the hull and superstructure by adding 30mm plates at the same time as the up gunning took place. In late 1939 and early 1940 , the Ausf F were issued to the Panzer regiments as quickly as they could be produced.On the 10th of May 1940 348 Pz Kpfw III mostly Ausf E and F but with a few Ausf G were with seven Panzer divisions on the Western Front.At this time there were two light tank companies with each tank detachment , but the actual strength varied greatly between the seven Panzer divisions ranging from five to seventeen Pz Kpfw III in each light tank company.The last Ausf F known to have been in action were with the 116th Panzer Division in June 1944.They are now on display at the Patton Museum at Fort Knox Kentucky.