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 SIX from this release series in 2003.  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, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PRODUCT BOX. 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 Panther Ausf A Tank, "Forest Crossing, Ardennes 1944", #91741. •  Type of Model:  Pre-Assembled Diecast Metal Model with Small Detail Parts Consisting of Plastic and Composite Materials •  Year of Release:  2003 (Product Packaging Copyright shows date of 2002, but this release occurred in 2003) •  Scale:  1:72 Scale •  Product Attributes:  Pre-Assembled, Pre-Painted, Static Display Model, Diecast Metal, Highly Detailed, Diorama Display Base with Clear Acrylic Cover •  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:  Diecast Model and Diorama Display Base with Clear Acrylic Cover (No Product Box Included) Open Box Display Models, Excellent Condition, No Product Box Included

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.  The first release series was in 1998, the second was in 2003 and the final release series was in 2004.  At the time of our listings, we have been able to offer all SIX diecast armor models from the 2003 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 Panther Tank: The Panther was a tank fielded by Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945.  It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer IV and III, though it served along with them and the heavy tanks until the end of the war.  The Panther's excellent combination of firepower, mobility, and protection served as a benchmark for other nations' late war and immediate post-war tank designs and it is frequently regarded (along with the Soviet T-34 Tank) as the best tank design of World War II.    Until 1944, it was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther and had the Ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171.  On 27 February 1944, Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral V be deleted from the tank's designation.    The Panther was intended to supplement the Panzer IV and replace the Panzer III medium tanks.  Each German Panzer (armored) Division had two tank battalions; the intent was to equip one battalion in each division with Panthers, retaining the lighter, older, but still useful Panzer IV in the other battalion. Beginning in mid-1943, battalions were gradually converted to Panthers.    The Panther first saw action at Kursk on July 5, 1943.  Early tanks were plagued with mechanical problems: the track and suspension often broke, and the engine was dangerously prone to overheating and bursting into flames.  At Kursk, more Panthers were disabled by their own failings than by enemy action.  For example, the XLVIII Panzer Corps reported on July 10, 1943, that they had 38 Panthers operational and 131 awaiting repair, out of about 200 they had started with on July 5.  Heinz Guderian, who had not wanted Hitler to order them into combat so soon, later remarked about the early Panther's performance in the battle: "they burnt too easily, the fuel and oil systems were insufficiently protected, and the crews were lost due to lack of training."  Guderian also stated, however, that the firepower and frontal armor were good.  While many of the Panthers used at Kursk were damaged or suffered from mechanical difficulties, only a small number were lost for good and the tanks also achieved success, with 263 Soviet tanks claimed to have been destroyed by them.  Although its frontal armor was thinner than the Tiger's, it was also much more sloped and proved harder for Soviet shells to penetrate.    After Kursk, the tanks suffering from damage or mechanical breakdowns were repaired and the inherent design problems of the early Ausf. D models were fixed, making the Panther a truly formidable tank.  Later in 1943 and, especially, into 1944 Panthers appeared in increasing numbers on the Soviet-German front.  By June 1944, Panthers were about one-half of the German tank strength both in the east and the west.  The Panther was increasingly commonly encountered by Allied forces and by the end of the war, it was the third most produced German armored fighting vehicle.    Perhaps the best known German Panther commander was SS-Oberscharführer Ernst Barkmann of the 2nd SS-Panzer Division "Das Reich".

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: