As we await notification that our distributor has received the first batch of 1:32 scale Sturmtigers, Forces of Valor released a new instructional video to their YouTube account, this time taking a closer look at their soon-to-be released trio of 1:48 scale AH-1W Whiskey attack helicopters. Although the video seems to have been created for their Asian consumers, viewers can nevertheless get the gist of how to remove the helicopter from its base then put together its various components. The first three helicopters to come out are based upon ROCAF machines; USMC versions are expected to roll out some time this spring.

In other news, the manufacturer has begun talking up their range of 1:32 scale Sherman tanks, which has been languishing on their drawing boards for over two years. The Company claims that each of the new Shermans will boast features and components typically found in their larger 1:16 scale Extreme Metal series, thus making them heavier in the hand and ultimately more realistic for the diehard FOV collector. To that end, the manufacturer has produced a short video that focuses on the removable engine located in the rear of the vehicle, and will likely follow up this video with additional clips showing off some of the other detail. They have mused that the first vehicles will street this spring, right around the same time as the first Tiger Is are expected. Hope they’re right!

Incidentally, we noticed another pair of Sherman tanks were announced on the FOV website, although no images were posted for either model. This brings the total number of new Shermans to eleven. No doubt there are other versions in the works, possibly as many as three vehicles for each type of Sherman tank being introduced. That’s a lot of Sherman tanks although this probably comes as no surprise since it would seem as if this is their strategy going forward.

One final note. While it appears as if the tempo of operations has finally improved at the manufacturer’s end, and they are now posting anticipated release dates on Facebook and elsewhere, this does not mean it will be in our hands and ready for shipment to our customers at the same time as they are forecasting. Generally, it can take upwards of a month to transit the Pacific Ocean, clear customs and get offloaded from a container ship. Afterwards, the goods must then be shipped to our distributor, who, in this case, is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. After they review the shipment, it can then take another week or so before it reaches us here in New York thereby enabling us to finally ship out said product to our customers. So, please bear this in mind when they indicate that their first 1:32 scale Tiger I will be completed some time in April. From our standpoint, we are expecting to take delivery of the item around the end of May, fully six weeks after the item was “finished” at the manufacturer’s facility.