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.

Its been seven years since Waltersons first acquired the Forces of Valor brand from its former owner, Unimax. In that time, the Company has released a number of well-received projects that cut across the diecast spectrum, from big and beefy 1:32 scale tanks to pose-able 1:72 scale WWII-era fighters. To mark its seventh year of operation, the Company was gracious enough to share with us several new products that are in the pipeline, all of which are fairly far along and due out by the end of the second quarter.

For openers, two rather different 1:32 scale Opel Blitz trucks have been created, both of which sport medical markings but intended for use in vastly different theatres of action. As you can readily see, one is donning a desert sand motif, indicative of its ties to Rommel’s Deutsches Afrikakoprs. The second is clad in a winter camouflage pattern, and is likely based upon a vehicle that saw action in either the winter of 1941 or ’42 on the cold, snow-covered steppes of the Eastern Front.

Also passed along to us is this waterline version of the USS Missouri, which is wearing a Measure 32, Design 22D camouflage it was painted in during1944, in support of US naval operations against the Japanese Empire in the Pacific. The Company also plans to re-issue a full hull version of the ship and has a similar strategy in mind for the re-release of the German super battleship, Bismarck.

While no mages were included in the brief, plans for the first half of 2023 include a US M24 Chaffee light tank in two dissimilar paint schemes. Also being rolled out is “Julia” – a US M4A2(76) Sherman that was used by the 761st Tank Battalion “Black Panthers” – a segregated, all-black American unit involved in the the crossing of the river Rhine operations in early 1945.

Lastly, as can be seen here, is a 1:32 scale 10-wheeled US CKWW 351 cargo truck, similar to the type employed in the Red Ball Express operation to bring greatly-needed fuel and other supplies to the advancing US forces in their bid to race across northwest Europe during the summer and fall of 1944. Since these are the first soft-skinned vehicles being resurrected and re-purposed by Waltersons, it isn’t clear as yet if these upgraded trucks will come with removable engines thus making them a part of the Engine Plus series or perhaps members of a brand new sub brand within the Forces of Valor universe.

The Company also hinted at several more 1:72 scale modern aircraft as being in the works, although its a good bet these are based upon molds first introduced by Unimax almost two decades ago. These will likely include a MV-22 Opsrey, F-14 Tomcat and possibly an F-22 Raptor. We’ve been promised clearer and sharper images to follow along with detailed information concerning product codes, pricing and feature lists.

One last bit of news should be taken at face value — the Company has categorically stated that some highly successful introductions will only be available for a limited time, pointing to the recently released “Cobra King” Sherman as a prime example. This means that while the Company is already running low on inventory thanks largely to incredible popular demand, they don’t plan to re-release it for upwards of 24-36 months and quite likely at a higher price point. Food for thought if you are still sitting on the fence considering whether to purchase this esteemed battle wagon.

In Stahlgewittern. A Storm of Steel, so-to-speak.