Inside the Chieftain's Hatch: Panzer III, Pt 2.

And the long-awaited second part. This tank shows how design and usability was able to trump armor and gun stats in the invasion of France in particular. Pz III really was a very good and underrated tank.

[Anlushac]

For the record I want to say how disappointed I am that we didn't get The Chieftan saying "Oh Bugger the tank is in fire" and then get to watch him try to climb out the side hull escape hatch accompanied by much grunting and cursing. Great video.

[N_Wheeler]

If the bow machine gunner (radio operator) position has auxiliary steering laterals, I think you should mention that in every tank that has such. You were the first person to mention that (to me, regards the Sherman) and I was blown away by it; such a great feature. Tanks spend most of their life grinding down the road, and trading driving duties on the move is a huge advantage.

[MilitaryAviationHistory]

Beautiful machine. Thanks for the tour!

[emmedigi]

Happiness is coming back home after a day at work and find a new Inside the Chieftain's Hatch video.

[Jesses]

That is surprisingly good ergonomics for what is not a terribly large tank. I have seen tanks 20% larger overall that seemed to have far less crew space.

[markwilliams]

Great video. Thank you.
Two things on interior room. While researching the JU88 I read that it was German philosophy that crew should be very close together in order to facilitate communication via touch. In case the intercome went down or a quick physical response was required.
Also, most of these crews were birthed during WW1 or a little before or after. The British blockade caused a decline in the quality and quantity of food for most children. That's usually a "recipe" for smaller people.

[cheesenoodles]

Great series and the crew ergonomics part is always done so well. It fills in so many important details not found elsewhere

[fien]

8:39


Johan, look away. I have to drop an 88mm shell

[lanceripplinger]

It is always fascinating to me how precision everything was with the German built vehicles. Look at the precise welding. You can tell a lot of engineering and thought went into the overall design from a crew standpoint. Scary that the driver and radio operator had no escape hatches. Makes one wonder why the engineers designed it like that. I can't imagine the horrors of the North Africa campaign the crews went through. I wonder how many of Rommel's men died inside these burning tanks, because they had no way to quickly escape.

[Wideoval]

Good video of one of the best early tanks of the war. The inside tour was very well done. Thanks

[denret]

Watching this now and then again when chieftain uploads it. Best course of action.

[ultrablue]

Great analysis; I’m interested is your opinions on the Panzer IV, which in essence was a larger, better gunned and armored Panzer III. I believe the driver and radio op each have an overhead escape hatch in the IV, which would make for a good “Oh my goodness, the tank is on fire” re-enactment.

[Eloso]

Great video. You nailed it at the end where you described it as “underegarded”

[RandomCommentDue]

Seems like Germamy had the Sherman formula already in 1939 with a tank with good ergonomics, ease of upgrade, decent gun, etc. Funny how they abandoned that formula and went almost backwards in tank design with focusing on heavier and heavier tanks while everyone else was moving more towards the 'jack of all trades'/sherman style tanks.

[qunt]

This one took its time did it not?

Worth the wait ofc, but still.

[garomcfbgdd]

@1:00 Drive me closer!
I want to hit them with my sword!

[anumeon]

That does explain why you see the commanders standing so tall in all the documentaries. They simply had to when they were in the turrets.. Interesting designchoice that.

[kirkstinson]

So driver and funker (radio man) were more "oh my god I'm on fire" than " oh my god the tanks on fire".

[jffcks]

Looking at this after all the other things you've reviewed, the crew seating and room is Rolls-Royce level

[Cheezymuffin.]

no "OH MY GOD the tank is on fire trough the small side escape hatches?" boo, I am dissapointed!