Hi Dogdodger:
Great work there.
Yes, I am thinking of the PzIIIG and\or H with the 5cm KwK L42 main gun. Very prevelent panzer at the Crusader Battles as well as Gazala and El Alemein.
I presume what you are saying is that there is much more to introducing a new tank than simply taking existing vehicle files and tweaking the armor and ballistic imputs....
actually i was refering to working from scratch as opposed to editing existing vehicles -
As sam points out other than having the ability to do so there is nothing much to adjusting the armour values and penetration of different shell types in the code - a very quick and efficent way of producing at the very least an accurately perfoming stop gap, which in the case of the pIII luckily is not dramatically different physically.
I was refering to my exterior models being a fraction of the work required- both regards time and range of skills, much of which is phaps a less enjoyable task and fast moving task than making the model itself.
I was pointning it out in case ppl were expecting to see this tank in action any time soon...
However in the case of this tank i think the effort will be eventually worth it -
If i was making an ausf N for little extra effort i may as well make at least another late model, in spite of the presense of the L, not least because it really is a fav of mine.
Never one to knock RO and it's content (
but i guess i'm about too) of there are a few issues i have with the current L version -
the front sprocket is typical of the earlier models, i'd like to see one with the more common late setup.
And i'm not convinced of in the use by the driver of what i understood to be a maintanance hatch. Unfortunately this leaves the driver with a much reduced sit awareness, as i dont believe there was a periscope, but so be it - i guess the driver will have to rely more on his commander.
As Sam points out the interior models should all be shared, but regards the exteriors-
By adding or removing a few simple pieces from the N version you can potentially represent any model from L42 J onwards - with the exception of ones fitted with schursen ( can't be arsed - too much work + too many tri's) and the flamepanzer (open a whole new can of worms here) - but i do think the J short and long is the best bet.
It was by some margin the most abundant varient and frankly with the absence of the extra armour plate on hull and mantlet the best looking of all versions IMO.
Sadly though your G/H versions cannot be made by simply changing gun barrels or adding armour plates to hull and mantlet.
as im sure your aware there are many differences - with the J came, for example, revised engine access hatches, thicker tracks and new sprocket/idler (thou i think the H also had these making it an awkward) and a slightly lengthend hull.
The the extensive reworking phaps wont save that much time over starting from scratch.
I would be tempted to make a G over H - there were twice as many made, featured 6 months earlier and a relative handfull carried the 37mm - though as i said before (and would appreciate any info here) not sure how many if any made their way to to Russ or N africa before being re-armed.
Also if you had an L42 J already the H offers less difference as the armour protection is somewhat similar.
I agree G would be great for MN and RO as well as the L is too powerfull for early maps
But enough - they are on hold for now so it's not an immediate issue.
mind you, however my pIIIs turn out they will never hold a candle to
this one