Mum for some time regarding their soon-to-be-released range of static military models, it now appears as if Waltersons is releasing information to the public on a day-by-day basis. Yesterday the Company posted imagery of their upcoming 1:32 scale Tiger I tank. Earlier today, they revealed pictures for the warship series, which explains how the vessels will come packed when “shipped out.”
Rather than using a plastic blister to keep them in place, the Company developed a new locking nut mechanism that permits the buyer to easily take the ship in and out of its packaging. Moreover, the outer packaging features an open tabbed fifth panel, which is designed to make it far easier to remove, and, if necessary, replace the item in its box, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage.
As an Easter Egg of sorts, it appears as if the French Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle (R91), will be joining the growing Forces of Valor fleet in 2017, as well as some other unidentified warships. We’ve also re-categorized our Forces of Valor 1:700 scale subsections into a Battleship and Aircraft Carrier Series to correspond with the changes shown on the back of the aforementioned packaging.
As a special holiday gift, Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, has debuted images of their upcoming 1:32 scale Tiger I heavy tank. Posted to Facebook earlier today, the up-close photos demonstrate some of the principal differences between the Tiger I tank produced by the former owners, Unimax, then contrasts them with some of the enhancements made by Waltersons, all of which are intended to correct certain deficiencies and make each vehicle more realistic. In the case of the Tiger I tank, five new molds were produced, among them a new chassis, new road wheels, swing arms, torsion bars, new sprocket & new idler wheel, new engine details, and new caterpillar tracks. You can see all on the improvements and follow the progress of some of the other vehicles still under development on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fovhobbies/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED. A new web site is also reportedly under construction.
With the holidays nearly upon us, we just wanted to take a moment and wish all of our customers and their families a very Happy Hannukah and a Merry Christmas. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for making this another joyous year at The Motor Pool and we hope you continue to stop by our stores into the New Year! There’s lots more ahead!
Even though it might have made more sense to unveil it earlier in the season, the USPS announced yesterday that it has created a free smart phone app that heightens the experience of giving and receiving a gift that comes packed inside a USPS Priority Mail box.
“The Postal Service is offering a free app for smartphones that aims to build excitement among customers who send and receive Priority Mail boxes during the holidays.” said the Postal Times.
“Customers who send a gift inside a Priority Mail box can use the app to send a personalized multimedia greeting to the recipient. The messages let the recipient know that a package is on its way. Recipients can also use the app to send the customer a holiday-themed thank-you message.
“Our app adds that special touch by delivering cheer when mailing and receiving holiday gifts via Priority Mail,” said Chief Customer and Marketing Officer James Cochrane.
We routinely get asked why we leave items up on our site when they are no longer available. Frankly, there is any number of reasons, from acting as points of reference should someone look to collect an entire range that may be available elsewhere to the oft chance that some of these items will return to stock. In the latter case, two long sold out items were recently uncovered by one of our distributors, who is now making them available for a limited time only. Both are from Dragon’s Can.Do series of pocket miniatures, which although small at 1:144 scale still pack plenty of punch in terms of beauty and collectability.
Expected some time in January are the King Tiger heavy tank series (CAN20020) and the equally handsome Jagdpanther heavy tank destroyer series (CAN20019). We aren’t sure if more products in the Can.Do range will be unearthed, but its nice to know that every so often some hard-to-find items make it back into the mainstream market, even if its for a limited time.
Back in September, we learned that radio-controlled vehicle manufacturer, Waltersons, had acquired the entire Forces of Valor product portfolio from the previous owner, Unimax. Since then, word has been sketchy about when the first products will hit the street so we thought it prudent to share what we know about the proposed line now before the year closes out. Best you play the accompanying musical video as you read what follows:
The first quartet of 1:24 scale radio controlled vehicles are now expected some time in early January 2017, barring any issues with customs, inventories, the Mad Hatter, and so on. The first four vehicles include the Tiger I heavy tank, PzKpfw IV medium tank, M4A3 Sherman tank and T-34/85 medium tank, each boasting new features which make them incompatible with the previously released vehicles offered by Unimax. The remaining four vehicles in the line (M26 Pershing tank, M1A1 Abrams tank, MLRS and King Tiger heavy tank) are already being re-developed and will likely come to market some time in the Spring. A 1:16 scale tank has been hinted at, which could be the T-72 tank shown in our Waltersons R/C section or it could be an entirely new vehicle. Figure packs are also being created.
The first batch of 1:32 scale static vehicles and 1:700 scale warships, based upon previously released models by Unimax, are being crafted with updated packaging and some minor improvements where applicable, such as new road wheels for the Tiger I tank and an improved display plinth for the warships, all of which will likely be released in early 2017. Our guess is that a formal announcement will be made at the Nuremberg Toy Fair held in Germany in February. At that time, we should also get a better idea as to which new products are being worked on for the rest of the year, even though several have already been hinted at by the manufacturer on Facebook. Moreover, expect several other retreads to be launched later in the year, modified, where deemed appropriate, to bring them up to today’s standards.
So, that’s it in a nutshell. Everything currently is still in a state of flux and we ask for everyone’s patience during this transitional period. Good things are in store for 2017, including a new 1:16 scale Tiger I heavy tank, we just need everyone to relax and remain focused as they once again build out their Forces of Valor collection. Enjoy!
Follow Up: We’ve been in touch with the principals at Unimax who inform us that they will be attending the upcoming American International Toy Fair held each year at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City in February. At that time, we’ll have a better idea as to where they are headed in both the short- and long term, and hopefully take photos of anything on display. Additionally, the Company provided some details concerning their expanding warship series, which will boast the following 1:700 aircraft carriers: PLAAN LiaoNing aircraft carrier, British HMS Invincible and USN Kitty Hawk (CV-63). All three are pretty far along in their production, so they will likely be released in early 2017.
Our distributor reports that several long out-of-stock bombers and other big wing aircraft from Amercom should returning to store shelves by year’s end, hopefully in time for the holidays.
Most are 1:144 scale, with a smattering of the larger aircraft available in 1:200 scale. All are budget priced at just $19.99 and lend themselves towards making great stocking stuffers for the holiday season.
Beginning November 1st and running through December 20th, The Motor Pool offers expanded telephone support for anyone wishing to place an order by phone or require product information. This expanded service runs seven days a week from 8AM-8PM EST. Of course you may still place your order online or contact us via email at your leisure.
We’ve passed the first hurdle in becoming a member of Walmart’s growing Walmart Marketplace retail superstore. Similar in concept to Amazon’s third-party retail channel, which enables merchants to sell their goods through Amazon, it will allow us to reach an ever widening group of people that may not be familiar with us, our product selection or the hobby at large. Like most online ventures, it’s a somewhat complex system to learn and gain familiarity with, particularly during the hectic fourth quarter, so its entirely possible that we may not launch this new retail channel until the beginning of 2017. We will likely start out slowly with a few products to get up to speed, then begin to expand as we become comfortable with their way of doing business.
I remember several years ago when analysts the world over began decrying the tank, citing its vulnerabilities on the modern battlefield from both Man-Portable (MANPAD) and Air-to-Ground ordnance. If that’s true, then someone better tell all the world’s military forces since they still seem to be cranking them out in anticipation of a potential cataclysmic engagement somewhere in Europe.
Recently, Turkey unveiled its first indigenously-built main battle tank dubbed the Altay. Not be confused with the Altaya brand of diecast collectibles, the Altay is a 3+ generation main battle tank (part of the MİTÜP (Milli Tank Üretimi Projesi, English: National Tank Production Project)) designed and developed by Otokar of Turkey for the Turkish Army and export markets. It is named in honor of Army General Fahrettin Altay (1880–1974) who commanded the 5th Cavalry Corps in the final stage of the Turkish War of Independence. In fact this naming is just a diversion that is indeed causing from the name of the race of turkic nations,Altay.
Meanwhile, Italy debuted its newest tank destroyer, the Centuaro II, at this year’s Eurosatory exhibition. Resembling its previous incarnation, the Centauro, the latest Centauro armored vehicle represents a new stage in the evolution of the storied Centauro 105 and 120mm armored vehicle, the first 8×8 wheeled antitank vehicle in the world with a high-pressure gun.
As regards mobility in particular, the power-to-weight ratio, increased to 24 HP/tonne, provides unequalled performance in terms of speed and acceleration thanks to the new-generation IVECO engine, offering more than 720 HP, and to the associated modernization of the transmission, braking system and control electronics.
The digital tyre pressure control (CTIS), allied with run-flat systems, the new suspension and the low nominal ground pressure allow the new Centauro armored vehicle to extricate itself from any type of terrain.
We reported last year how Poland is also developing a main battle tank, which bears a futuristic appearance that seems more at home on the battlefield of Call of Duty than it does against some of the latest weaponry it could face.
The idea of the PL-01 is to try and eliminate the infrared, radar and visual signature of the traditional tank to a large degree, while also relying on guile to take identity masking a step further. In addition, the PL-01 concept aims at bringing to market a tank packed with relevant modern features, many of which already exist off the shelf, while others are still on the developmental horizon.
The vast majority of targeting sensors on the battlefield today rely on the infrared band of the electromagnetic spectrum to do their bidding. The PL-01 attempts its almost magical infrared signature reduction via the installation of temperature controlled wafers that blanket its exterior. This chameleon’s skin of sorts, allows the tank’s skin to match the infra-red signature of its surroundings. It does this by processing what small infrared sensors mounted around the tank detect, and then displays a pattern on the tank’s honeycomb-like covering that best matches the infrared data collected.
As a result, the tank all but disappears to infrared sensors. Even more outstanding, these wafers can also be used like pixels, as each can be manipulated in temperature. This allows for the tank to use active infrared camouflage, such as tiger striping its infrared signature in the jungle, or making it flat like the sand in the desert. The PL-01 also lowers its infrared signature through cooling and dispersing the exhaust from its 940 hp diesel engine.
Hopefully, each of these new weapons of war will be replicated for the diecast military market.
As an Easter Egg of sorts, it appears as if the French Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle (R91), will be joining the growing Forces of Valor fleet in 2017, as well as some other unidentified warships. We’ve also re-categorized our Forces of Valor 1:700 scale subsections into a Battleship and Aircraft Carrier Series to correspond with the changes shown on the back of the aforementioned packaging.
