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NEW RELEASES FOR DECEMBER 2025
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
GERMAN ARMOUR
On 1 September 1939, the world witnessed the shocking debut of a new form of warfare when Germany invaded Poland: Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.” This revolutionary doctrine of combined arms warfare utilized Panzer divisions composed of massed tank formations, motorized infantry, artillery, and close air support operating together and allowing the German Wehrmacht to strike with unprecedented speed and precision. Each Panzer platoon operated with remarkable coordination, exploiting breakthroughs and maintaining contact with supporting infantry and Stuka dive-bombers, showcasing the devastating synergy that defined Blitzkrieg. This new German doctrine rapidly overwhelmed and surrounded Polish forces, leading to the surrender of Poland in just five weeks of combat operations. The speed of the German victory stunned the world, even more so when Blitzkrieg’s success was repeated over the next two years of WWII during the invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece, the Fall of France, and the invasion of Russia in Operation Barbarossa. These early victories led to the belief in the invincibility of Blitzkrieg and the German Panzertruppe...a myth that would take years of brutal warfare and heavy losses for the Allies to shatter.
Among the tanks leading these early mechanized spearheads was the Panzer II. Due to delays in the production of the more powerful Panzer III and Panzer IV, and because the Panzer I was armed only with machine guns, the Panzer II was originally conceived as a stopgap solution to quickly equip the German Panzertruppe with a tank mounting an armor-defeating weapon capable of engaging in tank-versus-tank combat. Though commonly viewed as lightly armed, in 1939 the armor-piercing ammunition of the Panzer II’s rapid-fire 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon was capable of defeating nearly all of the known tanks and tankettes employed by the Allies, with the exception of heavier designs such as France’s Char B1 and 2C. Although vulnerable to anti-tank weapons due to its maximum armor thickness of only 14.5 mm, the Panzer II’s firepower, mobility, reliability, and superior radio communications gave German tank crews a decisive edge in the early days of the war.
GA-25P
THE SECOND WORLD WAR,
GERMAN ARMOUR,
Panzer II Ausf. A #512,
4. PANZER- DIVISION,
POLAND, SEPTEMBER 1939
JJ Designs’ Panzer II Ausf. A #512 represents an early-production Panzer II Ausf. A of the famed 35. Panzer-Regiment of 4. Panzer-Division (4. Pz.Div.) As part of XVI. Armeekorps, 4. Pz.Div. was one of the first divisions of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) to cross the Polish border. It fought against Polish cavalry at the Battle of Mokra and became the first German unit to reach Warsaw. The division suffered heavy casualties in its initial buttaults to seize the city and in later actions alongside the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment. It went on to participate in the Battle of the Bzura (Battle of Kutno), the largest engagement of the Polish campaign.
One of the most recognizable visual features of German panzers during the Polish campaign was the large white Balkenkreuz national insignia painted on the hull and turret sides. However, just days into combat operations, the Germans discovered that these bright markings served as ideal aiming points for enemy gunners. Consequently, panzer crews quickly reduced the visibility of their Balkenkreuze, either by smearing them with mud or overpainting them in yellow, sometimes leaving a narrow white border still visible. This is the historically accurate look faithfully depicted on Panzer II #512. The model also displays divisional symbols and a hull number confirmed by period photographs. Finally, Panzer II #512 features the distinctive rounded armor plate on its lower front hull characteristic of early production tanks.
JJ Designs is proud to announce this newest release in the Panzer II series. Whether displayed as a standalone piece or combined with the previously released JJD Panzer I Ausf. A from the same division, Panzer II #512 is perfect for collectors’ vignettes or dioramas depicting the 1939 Polish campaign.
As standard with all John Jenkins Designs tank models, Panzer II #512 includes the following features:
The Panzer I Ausf.B and the Sd.Kfz.265 Panzerbefehlswagen should be available in 2026.
Many Thanks to Steve “Hunter Rose”.
**PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER TO PLACE YOUR PRE-ORDERS**
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
GERMAN ARMOUR
On 1 September 1939, the world witnessed the shocking debut of a new form of warfare when Germany invaded Poland: Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.” This revolutionary doctrine of combined arms warfare utilized Panzer divisions composed of massed tank formations, motorized infantry, artillery, and close air support operating together and allowing the German Wehrmacht to strike with unprecedented speed and precision. Each Panzer platoon operated with remarkable coordination, exploiting breakthroughs and maintaining contact with supporting infantry and Stuka dive-bombers, showcasing the devastating synergy that defined Blitzkrieg. This new German doctrine rapidly overwhelmed and surrounded Polish forces, leading to the surrender of Poland in just five weeks of combat operations. The speed of the German victory stunned the world, even more so when Blitzkrieg’s success was repeated over the next two years of WWII during the invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece, the Fall of France, and the invasion of Russia in Operation Barbarossa. These early victories led to the belief in the invincibility of Blitzkrieg and the German Panzertruppe...a myth that would take years of brutal warfare and heavy losses for the Allies to shatter.
Among the tanks leading these early mechanized spearheads was the Panzer II. Due to delays in the production of the more powerful Panzer III and Panzer IV, and because the Panzer I was armed only with machine guns, the Panzer II was originally conceived as a stopgap solution to quickly equip the German Panzertruppe with a tank mounting an armor-defeating weapon capable of engaging in tank-versus-tank combat. Though commonly viewed as lightly armed, in 1939 the armor-piercing ammunition of the Panzer II’s rapid-fire 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon was capable of defeating nearly all of the known tanks and tankettes employed by the Allies, with the exception of heavier designs such as France’s Char B1 and 2C. Although vulnerable to anti-tank weapons due to its maximum armor thickness of only 14.5 mm, the Panzer II’s firepower, mobility, reliability, and superior radio communications gave German tank crews a decisive edge in the early days of the war.
GA-25P
THE SECOND WORLD WAR,
GERMAN ARMOUR,
Panzer II Ausf. A #512,
4. PANZER- DIVISION,
POLAND, SEPTEMBER 1939
JJ Designs’ Panzer II Ausf. A #512 represents an early-production Panzer II Ausf. A of the famed 35. Panzer-Regiment of 4. Panzer-Division (4. Pz.Div.) As part of XVI. Armeekorps, 4. Pz.Div. was one of the first divisions of Heeresgruppe Süd (Army Group South) to cross the Polish border. It fought against Polish cavalry at the Battle of Mokra and became the first German unit to reach Warsaw. The division suffered heavy casualties in its initial buttaults to seize the city and in later actions alongside the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment. It went on to participate in the Battle of the Bzura (Battle of Kutno), the largest engagement of the Polish campaign.
One of the most recognizable visual features of German panzers during the Polish campaign was the large white Balkenkreuz national insignia painted on the hull and turret sides. However, just days into combat operations, the Germans discovered that these bright markings served as ideal aiming points for enemy gunners. Consequently, panzer crews quickly reduced the visibility of their Balkenkreuze, either by smearing them with mud or overpainting them in yellow, sometimes leaving a narrow white border still visible. This is the historically accurate look faithfully depicted on Panzer II #512. The model also displays divisional symbols and a hull number confirmed by period photographs. Finally, Panzer II #512 features the distinctive rounded armor plate on its lower front hull characteristic of early production tanks.
JJ Designs is proud to announce this newest release in the Panzer II series. Whether displayed as a standalone piece or combined with the previously released JJD Panzer I Ausf. A from the same division, Panzer II #512 is perfect for collectors’ vignettes or dioramas depicting the 1939 Polish campaign.
As standard with all John Jenkins Designs tank models, Panzer II #512 includes the following features:
- Rotating turret with opening hatches
- Historically accurate early-war paint scheme and markings
- Detailed crew and fighting compartments
- Opening engine deck with interior detailing
The Panzer I Ausf.B and the Sd.Kfz.265 Panzerbefehlswagen should be available in 2026.
Many Thanks to Steve “Hunter Rose”.
**PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER TO PLACE YOUR PRE-ORDERS**
