Perhaps paying homage to the seminal Schwarzenneger film, Predator, Forces of Valor says that their first pairing of 1:72 scale Apache attack helicopters are on track for an early June fly-in. According to their sales literature, one represents a helicopter flown by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces while the other is tied to the US Army’s famed 1st Air Cavalry Division, no doubt the more eagerly sought after item here in the States. Each comes with two seated crewmen figures, a full weapons load out, handsome display base and, of course, a display stand so that collecotrs have a choice of presentation options.
In an effort to get more 1:32 scale vehicles into the hands of collectors, the Company will be releasing a pair of M24 Chaffee light tanks – one connected to WWII and the other the so-called Forgotten War in Korea. Priced below $100, their newest vehicles will no longer come with a removable engine or detailed engine compartment, something the new owners of the brand felt were an important hallmark of their re-launched series. Its not clear if this strategy will become a trend for Waltersons, who have to date sought to improve older Unimax-created toolings wherever and whenever possible by increasing its metal content and including more robust features, be they opening hatches, engines or painting schemes.
Also expected are two German Opel ambulances, a GMC truck armed with an overhead .50 caliber machine gun and two versions of the illustrious US battleship, USS Missouri (previously profiled).
Now that Waltersons is handling its own distribution within North America it seems as though that production and distribution can now be better coordinated, meaning product should flow more steadily out of Asia and into their most important marketplace. By eschewing the more traditional distribution network, they can bring in larger quantities of product for more extended periods of time and hopefully maintain better in-stock positions across all of their selling venues.
Lastly, the manufacturer was kind enough to send us final imagery for their upcoming British aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible. While nestled in Japanese packaging and by no means indicative of all of its final features, the two shots demonstrates their commitment towards building out their diecast fleet instead of simply re-hashing older toolings that have been around for some time. We are still awaiting pricing for the soon-to-be-released warship, so we will hold off accpeting pre-orders until the manufacturer gives us the go-ahead to begin the advance order process.
