THIS PRODUCT IS IN-STOCK AND READY TO SHIP.  Please Note; this is a very difficult to find Matchbox Collectibles diecast armor model that is ONE of EIGHT from this release series.  This is the last one that we have in stock and will not be able to restock this hard to find, out of production diecast model. PLEASE NOTE; THIS IS FROM THE TURNER FAMILY COLLECTION AND THIS IS AN OPEN BOX, DISPLAY DIECAST ARMOR MODEL, SO TAPE SEALS WERE OPENED AND RESEALED. If you purchase THREE or more of the Matchbox Collectibles 1/72 Scale diecast armor models, we will send you a Special Coupon that you can use on your next order besides the Customer Purchase Points you can earn and apply to future orders as well, but you need to Setup a Customer Account with JT’s Collectibles which only takes a few minutes to do. PLEASE NOTE: The Image may be slightly different than the Actual Product.

Matchbox Collectibles German Flak Panzer IV Tank, "Great Tanks of The World Series", #DYM37582. •  Type of Model:  Pre-Assembled Diecast Metal Model with Small Detail Parts Consisting of Plastic and Composite Materials •  Year of Release:  1998 (Product Packaging Copyright sometimes shows date of 1995, but this release occurred in 1998) •  Scale:  1:72 Scale •  Product Attributes:  Pre-Assembled, Pre-Painted, Static Display Model, Diecast Metal, Highly Detailed, (No Display Base or Cover Included) •  Nature of Manufacture and Status of Moving Parts:  Sometimes turrets easily rotate and sometimes they do not, and Sometimes gun barrels easily rotate, sometimes they do not and on some models, the gun barrel loosens over time  •  What Is Included With Your Purchase:  Certificate of Authenticity, Inner Yellow & White Product Box, and Diecast Model  (No Display Base or Cover Included) Open Box Display Models, Excellent Condition; Models have been carefully repacked.  PLEASE NOTE that all product packaging and boxes will have some shelf ware and may have minor imperfections like creases, folds, indentions or small tears in the boxes.  Also, some Outer Shipping Boxes may have Ink Writing on them or Retail Store Tags.

Some Interesting Background Information regarding Matchbox Collectibles 1/72 Scale Diecast Military Tank Models:  Several of the 1/72 Scale diecast armor models were produced under license from the famous pioneer in early, high quality diecast armor models, CDC Armour from Italy.  CDC fell on hard times and eventually went out of business.  Other 1/72 diecast armor models from Matchbox Collectibles were designed in-house.  At the time of our listings, we have been able to offer all EIGHT diecast armor models from the 1998 Release Series.  The 1/72 Scale diecast armor tank models were ahead of their time from a quality, detail and cost standpoint.  Though, Mattel did manufacture a number of the models under license from CDC Armour, at the time of introduction in 1998, the Matchbox Collectibles Series models were hard to beat.  Based upon market information from Matchbox Collectible Groups and Forums, Mattel has no plans in the near future to bring back the Matchbox Collectibles 1/72 Scale diecast armor and airplane product lines.  Mattel has been focused on turning Matchbox around over the past few years by improving on the basics before they will consider new product lines again.  In the past, Mattel became too focused on the Hot Wheels brand at the expense of the Matchbox brand. About the German Panzer IV Tank: The Panzer IV is the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the late 1930s by Germany and used extensively during the Second World War.  The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen IV (abbreviated PzKpfw IV) and the tank also had the ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 161.    Initially designed as an infantry-support medium tank, to work in conjunction with the Panzer III which was intended to engage enemy tanks, it was later up-gunned and up-armored during the war.  This allowed it to take over the tank-fighting role of the Panzer IIIs, as this vehicle became increasingly obsolete.  The Panzer IV was the most widely manufactured and deployed German tank of the Second World War and was used as the base for many other fighting vehicles including tank destroyers and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.  The Panzer IV was the workhorse of the German tank corps, being produced and used in all combat theaters throughout the war.  The Panzer IV has the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout all of World War II, with over 8,500 produced between 1936 and 1945.  This is exemplified by the various upgrades it received throughout the war.  It also remained in production during the last months of the war, showcasing the measures taken by the government to simplify manufacturing (including the removal of firing ports).    The Panzer IV also receives the distinction of being the most widely exported tank in German service, sold to countries such as Finland, Spain, Bulgaria and other European allies during the Second World War.  After the war, the French and Spanish sold dozens of Panzer IVs to the Syrians, using them against Israeli Centurion tanks.    The final production version of the Panzer IV was the Ausf. J.  This version of the tank was considered a retrograde from the earlier Ausf. H out of necessity to decrease production time and increase the tank's mobility.  To increase the tank's road range, the electric generator for turret traverse was removed to allow the installation of an auxiliary 200 liter (43.99 gal) gas tank—range was increased to 320 kilometers (198.84 mi).  Without the electric generator, turret traverse was now manual.  Furthermore, the pistol ports and vision ports in the turret were removed, while the engine's radiator housing was simplified by exchanging the slanted sides with straight sides.  The cylindrical muffler was replaced by two flame-suppressing mufflers.  By late 1944, Zimmerit was no longer applied to the tank, the side-skirts were replaced by wire mesh, while the number of return rollers was reduced from four to three to cut production time.    There was a bid to fit a Panther turret on a Panzer IV hull, carrying the longer 75-millimeter (2.95 in) L/70 tank gun. The inability to do so confirmed that the chassis, by this time, was clearly overloaded in both weight and available volume. The Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind" (Whirlwind in German) was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank.  It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Möbelwagen.    In the first years of the war, the Wehrmacht had less interest in developing self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, but as the allies developed air superiority, the need for more mobile and better-armed self-propelled anti-aircraft guns increased.    The Panzer IV's turret was removed and replaced with an open-top, nine-sided turret which housed a quadruple 2 cm Flakvierling 38 L/112.5.  A closed-top design would have been preferable, but this was not possible due to the heavy smoke generated by the four anti-aircraft guns.  Production of the tank was carried out by Ostbau Werke in Sagan, Silesia.    As the 2 cm shells used proved less effective against aircraft than the 3.7 cm shells the Wirbelwind was eventually replaced by the Ostwind which was equipped with a single 3.7 cm FlaK 43.    The armor and rapid fire from the four guns of the Wirbelwind was also very effective against infantry. One Wirbelwind could take out large numbers of enemy infantry.     It is believed that either 87 or 105 Wirbelwinds were produced during the war, but due to discrepancies between the recorded production numbers at Ostbau Werke and Wehrmacht service records, the exact number will probably never be known.  In any case, there were too few of them to have any major influence on the war.

Matchbox Collectibles 1:72 scale diecast armor models are a great compliment to Hobby Master, Easy Model, Dragon Armor, Forces of Valor, CDC Armour, Altaya or any brand of kit diecast armor model in 1:72 Scale. Very good detail and a pleasure to display. Don’t wait...these items won’t last. If there is a specific model that you're looking for, please let us know and we will try to find it for you. Now is the time to start a collection or expand your collection. Remember, collecting is fun! We want you to enjoy yourself. If you have any questions, please contact us before making any purchases at questions@jtscollectibles.com Welcome to JT's Collectibles.    As our customer, you will be pleasantly surprised by our "Knowledge, Quality, Product Selection and Exceptional Service".  We serve customers Worldwide and invite you to join us. We have four programs (CAP, POP, CRP, SOP) that are designed to reward our valued customers with SPECIAL DISCOUNTS, FREE MODELS, SPECIAL ORDER PURCHASE OPTIONS and IMPORTANT MARKET NEWS. Please contact us for more information at questions@jtscollectibles.com As a JT's Collectibles customer, you can be assured that you will receive excellent service, competitive pricing and will receive In-Stock product releases in a timely manner. CHECK OUT THE REST OF OUR STORE FOR HARD TO FIND AND NEW RELEASE DIECAST MODELS FROM MATCHBOX COLLECTIBLES AND OTHER BRANDS. SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS PURCHASE: Please Ensure that your Customer Account is Setup Correctly when paying by VISA, MasterCard or PayPal. Your Address MUST BE either Address Verified or Address Confirmed in order to purchase this item(s). PAYMENT OPTIONS: We accept payment by Paypal, VISA and MasterCard.     SHIPPING COSTS AND POLICIES: Please review the Information Sections of JT’s Collectibles web site to learn more about our Business and Customer Programs, as well our other policies. Shipping Communication Privacy Security Conditions of Use Refund Cancellation