GA-45
John Jenkins Designs
Not yet Released - expected in mid-October.
The Panzer Lehr Division was one of the German Army’s most highly trained and best-equipped formations. Commanded by the experienced and decorated Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein, Panzer Lehr was formed in late 1943 from personnel drawn largely from the German armored training and demonstration units, particularly Panzerschule I and II. The division was the brainchild of Heinz Guderian and was designed to demonstrate modern armored warfare techniques and showcase the new “1944 Panzer Division” organizational template. Consequently, Panzer Lehr was considered an elite division even before it saw combat, as it was manned by an unusually high proportion of experienced instructors and lavishly equipped with modern equipment. The division consisted of a full Panzer regiment with both Panther and Panzer IV Abteilungen, two Panzergrenadier Regiments, a Panzerartillerie Regiment, a Panzeraufklärungs Abteilung, and a Panzerpioniere Bataillon. Unlike other Panzer Divisions where only a single Panzergrenadier battalion was equipped with Sd.Kfz. 251 armored halftracks, all four of Panzer Lehr’s Panzergrenadier battalions were fully equipped with armored halftracks. Additionally, its Panzerartillerie Regiment, Panzeraufklärungs Bataillon, and Panzerpioniere Bataillon were also fully armored.
Panzer Lehr’s organic Panther Abteilung, I./Panzer Abteilung 130, was not anticipated to complete its conversion training to the Panther in time for the anticipated Allied invasion of France during the summer of 1944. To address this shortfall, the highly experienced I./Panzer Regiment 6 (I./Pz.Rgt. 6) from the vaunted 3. Panzer Division was pulled from the Eastern Front and attached to Panzer Lehr. Recently equipped with new Panther Ausf. A tanks and composed of a high number of combat-experienced veterans, I./Pz.Rgt. 6 was one of the most powerful panzer units in early 1944 and served with Panzer Lehr throughout the entire Normandy campaign.
Whether displayed individually or alongside other German armored vehicles, this model is ideal for collectors seeking to recreate scenes from the fierce armored battles that defined the Normandy campaign and the Battle of France.
As standard for JJ Designs, the Panther Ausf. A #321 comes with the following features:
Opening turret and hull hatches
Detailed turret and hull interior
Opening engine hatch with detailed engine compartment
Removable Schürzen side armor panels