Dragon launched a 1/35 kit of a Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf.H (Item No. 6844) last year, and while it was a hit with modelers, there was also clamor for a Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) version of the same vehicle. Dragon has now obliged by creating a special DAK configuration of the Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf.H! This specialized command tank containing long-range radios was created based on a standard Ausf.H gun tank, the first Panzer III version to be fitted with a 5cm KwK L/42 cannon. However, on the Pz.Bef.Wg. version there was no 5cm gun fitted, with just a single MG34 for self-defense and a dummy gun to fool the enemy.

Dragon’s new 1/35 scale DAK kit is different to the preceding Pz.Bef.Wg.III Ausf.H kit in some noticeable ways. For example, it bears a large storage box on the engine deck, plus a smaller storage box on the front left of the fender. Another modification is a spare-track rack on the glacis plate. The sprockets and idler wheels are also different to that on the predecessor. And unchanged, is the characteristic large frame antenna for the long-range radio. Plus the vehicle looks most impressive when the turret-mounted telescopic antenna is shown extended. This Panzerbefehlswagen III H nicely complements lately-reproduced DAK items in Dragon’s line-up, including: Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A Early Production (Item No. 6289), Pz.Kpfw.III (5cm) Ausf.H Late Production (6642), Bison II 15cm s.IG.33 (6440), Kübelwagen Workshop w/DAK Troops (6338). With the arrival of this command tank, modelers now have even more options for creating a North African diorama.