Panzer III Ausf B 36
The Ausf B was the second attempt to create a tank weighing 15 tons. A limited number of vehicles in this design series were manufactured for training purposes to provide a gun-equipped Pz Kpfw. The suspension design of the Ausf B was entirely different from that of the Ausf A. Instead of the five road wheels with coil springs, the Ausf B had eight road wheels per side, divided into pairs, with long leaf springs supporting a pair of road wheels at each end. Additionally, the Ausf B featured three return rollers, a redesigned cupola, and modified rear deck and engine air louvers for further improvements.
The Ausf B was assigned to Panzer units in 1937, but due to its insufficient suspension and 15 mm armor, they were all removed from combat units in February 1940 following their involvement in Poland. The five Ausf B Fgst used for the experimental (0-Serie) series of the Sturmgeschütz were returned to the Armored troops and used for training purposes in October 1940.