We’re a few days away from the start of the Nuremberg Toy Fair, which most insiders agree is the venue where new product announcements are made. Thus far, Waltersons, the owners of the Forces of Valor brand, hasn’t privately discussed what’s in store from them for the 2025 calendar year, even though they’ve posted loads of new items to their multiple web sites. Why they have multiple web sites as opposed to one all-encompassing site is perhaps a topic for another time but suffice it to say that they seem reluctant to provide details on a wide range of yet-to-be-released items that they’ve hinted at for over two years running.

I know they purchased Greenlight Collectibles more than a year ago and that it has taken up much of their time. Its no easy task getting a new company to perform like clockwork. Heck, that’s a given. Greenlight gives them entree into an assortment of big box retailers from Walmart to Target whereas Forces of Valor has had to stick its nose and well-worn shoe in the door of these very same retailers to maintain any sort of presence. Let’s face it, war toys just doesn’t ring up at the cash register like they used to. But frankly that isn’t enough of a reason to leave their dedicated base of customers in the lurch for an extended period of time. Its been well over two years since they posted anything to their Facebook account and I’m not even certain if they are responding to collector inquiries, much less willing to draw back the curtains on what’s new.

That said, we’re hoping they are about to turn a corner and face their critics who have repeatedly asked if anything new is in the wings. If they don’t do so in 2025 I’m afraid they’re going to lose quite a few ardent supporters and witness the selling of more FOV collectibles by people who have moved on to other segments of the hobby. We’ve been a vocal supporter of the line too but are starting to wonder if that backing needs to be toned down in favor of other branches and manufacturers within the hobby. Its up to Waltersons to indicate if they plan on shedding light on what’s to come or are content to leave things the way they are. That would be a sad affair but ultimately their way of saying goodbye to their bread-and-butter range that to date has paid handsome dividends for both themselves and their retail network.

Update: Yesterday, we stumbled across this photograph from the Nuremberg Toy Fair that clearly shows both the Greenlight Collectibles booth playing host to the Waltersons Forces of Valor range. Only a handful of new products were being shown including their upcoming re-release of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, Ferdinand tank destroyer and a few other items we cannot accurately discern. Their soon-to-be-released line of 1:64 scale military vehicles are likely integrated within their Greenlight showcase, so there’s no point in discussing them any further. While its encouraging to see that Forces of Valor hasn’t dropped out-of-sight its a bit disappointing to see nothing new was being debuted in a public manner.

We’re happy to report that we received a rather large re-stock shipment of Forces of Valor products earlier this week, which is ahead of our upcoming vacation over the Labor Day weekend. Besides the usual convoy of Tiger I and Sherman tanks, is this M24 Chaffee light tank, a vehicle that was out-of-stock for several months running and one that ably does the Chaffee justice. We’ve filled all of our back orders for this item and have a handful left available, just in case you’re looking to snag the WWII version before we head off to parts unknown.

Another vehicle long unavailable is their Sherman tank with deep wading gear, this one used in the Pacific Theatre of Operations towards the end of WWII. Its a stand out vehicle and one that ably replicates its real-life cousin from top-to-bottom. “White 6”, as its known, was attached to the 713th Tank Battalion, then forcibly invading the island of Okinawa in April 1945.

Both versions of the 1:700 scale HMS Invincible sailed into our home waters as did their MH-47G Chinook, a favorite amongst chopper gearheads and a model that had been unavailable for several years. Its a fine specimen and most will agree its perhaps their best take on the unbiquitous Chinook. Again, we believe this one won’t remain in stock for very long despite us ordering what we think is a healthy supply.

Also, now in stock is their eagerly awaited 1:72 scale take on a USMC Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter. Their inaugural “Viper” was attached to Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 “Vengeance” (HMLA-469), which is deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California. The chopper comes complete with a full ordnance load out, a pair of pilot figures, opening engine nacelles and everything else you’ve come to expect from this prolific model maker.

With the holidays fast approaching and demand for FOV products continuing to remain strong, all of these models make perfect gifts for that special someone in your life and ideal center pieces for any military-themed vignette. So, whether it be on land, sea or air, both we and Forces of Valor have got you covered and ready to fuel your passion for combat collectibles.

At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, it appears as if Waltersons will finally be receiving a shipment of re-stock merchandise by the middle of August. Many of their 1:32 scale tanks and trucks will be returning to the fold, along with a number of 1:700 scale warships. Interestingly, their 1:72 scale MH-47G Chinook is making an encore appearance, having been sold out for a couple of years now.

Apart from their twin 1:700 scale renditions of the HMS Invincible, there doesn’t appear to be anything new in this shipment so its your guess as good as ours as to when the balance of their long-promised new items will show up on our shores. We’ve learned our lesson and not going to speculate about their arrival date, so please bear this in mind if you have your heart and mind set on any of the new items that still appear on their web sites.

We’ll be placing a fairly large order for all of their re-stock merchandise to ensure that they remain in stock for at least through the Labor Day weekend. Mind you we’ll also keep our fingers crossed that they’re still available at the distributor should we need to place a follow-up order. Whether or not they will still be available for the holiday season is up to the manufacturer as demand remains strong even for some of their older items. Its a good problem to have but one they need to fully address going forward.