The first medium tank developed by Germany was the Pz. III, which did not enter active service in large numbers until 1939. The Pz. III was initially armed with a 37-mm antitank gun and two machine guns. It weighed about 20 tons, had a top road speed of 25 miles per hour, and carried a crew of five. About 100 Pz. III's fought in the Polish campaign and about 350 in the invasion of France. The need for greater firepower and more protection was apparent by 1941, so newer versions were given a 50-mm gun and fitted with armour 30–50 mm thick. The Pz. III could accommodate these improvements because it had been designed with a larger turret and a 12-cylinder, 300-horsepower engine. Panzerkampfwagen III (PzKpfw III), more commonly referred to as the Panzer III, was a tank developed in the 1930s by Germany and used extensively in World War II. It was designed to fight other AFVs, serving alongside the infantry-support Panzer IV. It soon became obsolete in this role and for most purposes was supplanted by up-gunned Panzer IVs, though some would continue to be used for infantry support until late in the war. The StahlKrieger PzKpfwIII replica tank constructed by a team of three of our members, is built on a British 432 chassis and has been replicated to exacting details . It made its debut at the War and Peace Show 2009 and was greatly accepted as a fine example of a replica WW2 vehicle. Its firepower consists of a gas operated main gun and a gas MG 34. The group members who own the PIII share crew duties within the vehicle, commanding, driving and operating the guns. A number of other members are also trained as back up drivers and commanders. The vehicle is often displayed at many events and can be seen in action at public battle displays .