Forces of Valor’s 1:24 scale radio controlled US Pershing heavy tank and US M1A2 Abrams main battle tank
According to recent reports, it would appear as if Waltersons is resuming its radio controlled business in a big way for 2019. First off, it looks as though they will be bringing back several of their sold out 1:24 scale models (Tiger I, Sherman and Panzer IV) and hopefully have them ready for the all-important fourth quarter. To bolster their lineup, they also plan to re-introduce their long sold out M26 Pershing heavy tank and ressurect their Abrams mold, this time around making it an updated M1A2 variant and painting it in a tri-color camouflage scheme. At some point, it would be nice if they offered a T-72 or T-80 main battle tank, thereby giving it something to fight against in a head-to-head competition.
Their long-awaited 1:16 scale T-72A tank is finally in the works, with no fewer than three versions headed our way. The first introduction in their newly-acquired line of VS Tanks
And speaking of T-72s, Waltersons is finally showing off its long-discussed 1:16 scale main battle tank, which will reportedly come in three versions, each aimed at three different market segments. Pricing and actual dates of release should be revealed shortly, so keep an eye out for further announcements as they, well, roll in. Sorry…
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer – “332”, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654, Normandy, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL230 P30 Engine]
Spring seems to agree with Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor line, with two 1:32 scale vehicles now completed and under their belt and another pair scheduled to go into production the first week of May. According to the manufacturer, both the German Jagdpanther tank destroyer (#FOV801007A) and Russian T-34/85 medium tank (#FOV801013A) have been given the green light, and will likely make it to market towards the end of June or early July. This comes as good news to collectors, who will likely see the fruits of Walterson’s labors at the upcoming hobby show in Shizuoka, Japan, held on May 8th. Its entirely possibly other items, such as the Liaoning aircraft carrier (#FOV861010A), have moved past the prototyping stage with finished packaging and detailing now being shown for the first time.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale Soviet T-34/85 Medium Tank – 55th Guards Tank Brigade, 7th Guards Tank Corps, Berlin, 1945 [Bonus Model V-2 Diesel-Fueled 12-Cylinder Engine]
While the Company is still lagging behind their original production schedule unveiled two years ago, its comforting to see that they are finally picking up speed and talking optimistically about the all-important fourth quarter. In other news, it would appear as if their radio controlled 1:16 scale T-72 main battle tank is moving along nicely, if you don’t mind the feeble pun, so we may re-open the pre-order window shortly once we feel more confident it has entered the production phase. Three different versions are reportedly in the works, each aimed at catering to three segments of the marketplace: the casual hobbyist, hard core user, and the extreme enthusiast.
A release schedule has surfaced on one of the forums purportedly showing the build dates for many of the upcoming Forces of Valor products. Presently, this schedule hasn’t been confirmed by the manufacturer nor has our North American supplier any knowledge of its authenticity. Still, it looks somewhat official, so we are tentatively going to use it to map out the anticipated arrival dates for their 1:32 scale military vehicles as well as their 1:700 scale warships. We will hold off on some of the aircraft and helicopters for now. We’ve added sixty days to the supposed “ready” dates shown on the schedule to arrive at our tentative release dates. In all likelihood, that’s a bit optimistic based upon previous experience, so please don’t hold us to these dates since they could very well change as the year unfolds. You can view the schedule here: FOV Release Schedule
Incidentally, no word as yet concerning any of the newly tooled 1:32 scale vehicles so we are assuming they have all been pushed back into 2020.
Note: I’ve been told that the link we provided will not work if you aren’t a member of the forum in question. So, rather than ask you to join the site, we’ve updated our web site to reflect the “anticipated” dates of release for each item in the FOV military vehicle, warship, helicopter and aircraft lines. There are still several items up-in-the-air, if you will, and as the schedule moves further out, expect these dates to require some revision.
Waltersons updated 1:72 scale Tiger I heavy tank model kit
Just like its predecessor, Unimax, Waltersons will apparently test out the model kit market with its soon-to-be-released Model Kit 999 Series. Twelve 1:72 scale kits are set to hit the streets, most based on World War II era machines of war. At first blush, these look to be the same 12 kits that Unimax produced roughly ten years ago. Interestingly, the Forces of Valor logo does not appear on the updated packaging. Its not clear, at present, if our distributor will stock the series or remain focused on the pre-assembled range of vehicles and aircraft that make up the Forces of Valor line up.
Unimax’ 1:72 scale Tiger I heavy tank model kit bearing the Forces of Valor logo
Speaking of Forces of Valor, the manufacturer intends to use the upcoming Shizuoka Hobby Show held in Japan this April to display much of their wares and hopefully provide everyone with a production schedule for the balance of the year. Despite falling behind schedule we are still hoping for some good things to appear in 2019 that will rekindle our passion for the line.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German 88mm Flak 36/37 Anti-Aircraft Gun with Trailer – Deutsches Afrika Korps, El Alamein, North Africa, 1942 [Comes with Seven Crewmen and Rommel]
With
March just a day away, I sit here, yet again, having to explain why the eagerly
awaited Forces of Valor 88mm FLaK gun has been further delayed. Back in early
February, just before the start of Chinese New Year, we were told that our
shipment of 88mm FLaK guns could be expected to ship out in late February after
Chinese New Year had concluded. That meant we would see our merchandise in
early to mid-March, barring any shipping or customs issues. Earlier today, we
were told by our distributor that their shipment of FLaK guns was being delayed
again and could now be expected sometime in May, two months beyond the original
forecast date. Ordinarily, I hem and haw, but typically accept the news with a
grain of salt since there isn’t all that much we can do, except tell our
clientele that they must wait even longer to receive their order.
What
I find troubling is that for the past few weeks the manufacturer has been
selling the product online through Facebook while retailers and distributors
are left wondering when they will be receiving the product. I’m not sure why
this issue is playing out the way it is but it simply does not sit well with me
nor should it sit well with everyone that pre-ordered the gun. Moreover, I’m
not clear why the manufacturer has decided upon this course of action or can justify
their decision to sell it to interested parties while their distribution
network continues to wait.
Thus far, the new caretaker of the FOV brand has done a marvelous job of producing some fan favorites, taking existing tooling and tweaking them to bring them up to today’s standards. The problem is that they are promising the moon but delivering moon dust – continually changing the production schedule, delaying the release of certain items and generally not keeping up with requests for background information in any reasonable fashion. In years past, we heavily advertised the line in various enthusiast print publications and planned to do the same with the revamped range later this year. The problem is that putting together an ad campaign for FOV is akin to aiming at and attempting to hit a moving target, with information changing to the point where it becomes utterly useless. So, we’ve made the decision not to advertise the line at this time, which would have attracted even more buyers to the fold and likely would have led to even greater demand. We’ve also amended the timetable for previously announced FOV releases, pushing them out to the end of the year since no hard-and-fast information is still on the table.
Right now, its upsetting to have to share this information with you but I
thought you ought to know where things stand. It’s frustrating to be
sure, and we certainly hope that they get their act together soon before
we throw in the towel. It wouldn’t be the first nor the last time we
gave up on a line.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 German 88mm Flak 36/37 Anti-Aircraft Gun with Trailer – Deutsches Afrika Korps, El Alamein, North Africa, 1942 [Comes with Seven Crewmen and Rommel]
Well, almost. While its not quite a burly Mark IV medium tank clad in Afrika Korps markings pressing home Rommel’s attack, Forces of Valor’s opening entry in their 1:32 scale military vehicle category is an upgraded 88 FLaK gun, complete with eight accompanying figures. Painted in a desert sand motif and featuring a weathered exterior to give it a battle hardened appearance, the 88mm gun was one of the most feared weapons in the German inventory, able to take on advancing enemy armor well before they could come into range and bring their own guns to bear.
According to the manufacturer, their first shipment is now expected to ship out after Chinese New Year and should be hitting the dusty trail to our advanced encampment some time in March. Frankly, we may not have enough product available for general sale once all of our pre-orders have been addressed, so open stock may not be available for purchase until a second follow-on shipment reaches us in March. Don’t say we didn’t warn you if you wait until the first shipment arrives to place your order.
As an aside, FOV is showing their 2019 wares at next week’s Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, so we hope to have images of some of their other forays direct from the Show. Stay tuned!
As we close out the month of November, we’ve finally received an update from our distributor regarding Forces of Valor. After months of waiting and little to show for it, the Company acknowledged today that Walterson’s re-engineered 1:32 scale 88mm FLaK gun, which is clad in a desert scheme, is now pegged for a February release. Originally, we were told that two 88mm guns were to be expected at the same time — the second in the familiar, early war, dark grey scheme that was previously included in the original FOV line up. Now, the dark grey version is being delayed further and its not clear when it is to be expected.
So, that’s the good news, if you don’t mind viewing the FOV glass as being half full. The bad is that the range will now be MAP enforced, meaning that we and other retailers must sell the line at a specific retail price point and cannot deviate from that pricing for a fixed period of time. The MAP, or minimum advertised price as it is known in the industry, has been set at $79.99, $10 more than what we thought was a marketable price given the length of time FOV has been out of the diecast game. To be fair, the manufacturer has re-engineered the vehicles so that they now come with a removable engine and opening engine compartment, more metal content, reworked superstructures and smoother rolling tracks. As a result, its not as if they are simply re-releasing older product but asking for a king’s ransom to boot.
Because of the price hike for the 88mm gun, we are assuming that all of the other 1:32 scale military vehicles that had been previously announced will likely carry the same price tag, although at this date, we still do not have hard-and-fast release dates for either the re-engineered vehicles or any of the new products announced way back in 2016.
Keep in mind that several international Toy Fairs are right around the corner, so we will likely get a better understanding of what to expect for the coming year once the shows have drawn back their curtains and solid product information has been passed along. So, while we hate to be the bearer of bad news as we head into the holiday season, keep in mind that at least some progress is being made and that the long drought will soon be over now that the pumps have been primed.
Lets face it, if you’re a fan of Forces of Valor, and who isn’t, then
you should be delighted to learn that the Company has started to pick up
speed, both in terms of production as well as over the air waves.
Earlier this week, they embarked upon a series of Facebook posts that
explains some of the delays they have faced for 2018 along with some of
the projects currently in development and nearing completion. While
finished product images are still being held at bay, they have uploaded
several shots showing some of the vehicles and accessories currently
being created and discussed their philosophy regarding how they plan to
take the line to new heights. For more information, click on the image
above, which will take you to their Facebook page. You can even ask them
questions if you so desire.
Barrel droop. This short video demonstrates some of the issues with the original Sherman Firefly tank. Note how the gun barrel has trouble remaining in a fixed position.
Utilizing a newly machined gun barrel and tighter tooling specifications, the updated Sherman Firefly has no trouble keeping its gun in either a firing or elevated position.
Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor line, has hired a new
point person to deal with questions and/or concerns as they pertain to
their line. We are therefore recommending that you direct any and all
questions concerning Forces of Valor to Sunny, their new moderator, who
will likely have the latest information and release dates for upcoming
product.
As an aside, Sunny claims he will be posting new images shortly, likely for the upcoming 88mm FLaK guns and pair of Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyers. Both are tentatively scheduled for a November release, barring any logistical issues or tariffs imposed by the current administration.
All of which leads us to one final point. We are still receiving phone calls, emails and messages asking us when a particular item is coming out, what it will look like, and how it will differ compared to previous versions. Friends, we know as much as you at this juncture. Everything that has been passed along to us has been posted to our web site. We do not have firm, written-in-stone release dates despite the holidays fast approaching and we certainly do not have any images of the product other than what we have posted. We understand that a great many of you are waiting with baited breath for more information concerning the reinvigorated line, however, there is nothing more we can share with you. By contacting us with these types of questions it takes us away from other more pressing matters that we can address. Hang in there and I am sure Waltersons will be delighted to unveil product information to their fans just as soon as they are ready to discuss them.
Now that we’re getting close to the roll out of Walterson’s revamped Forces of Valor brand, we thought we’d approach things a bit differently. As pictures and information surface, we’re going to be covering them as if they were subjects of their wartime national publications: Signal for the Germans, Pravda for the Russians, and of course, Stars and Stripes for the US arsenal. So, without further ado, here’s our opening installment for our Forces of Valor profile.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale US Army Boeing-Vertol CH-47D Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopter – A Company, 7th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, Afghanistan, 2003
‘The Chinook is an awesome aviation airframe. It is able to lift single heavy-duty pieces of equipment and light vehicles and is one of the most reliable airframes in service in the entire United States Military. It can lift up to 50,000 pounds and nearly 26,000 can be slung below the helicopter from the center hook. It has redundancy built in that many people did not realize, which makes it a very safe airframe. Each of the huge rotor blades on the Chinook CH-47 weighs 350 pounds, and the engines work together to turn the rotors. Each of the engines work about 50 percent capacity. If one engine fails the other simply goes into high gear, and functions at 100 percent allowing the helicopter to fly just as well as it does with two engines.”
– Military.com
If you follow their Facebook page, Waltersons has indicated that they are investing heavily in retooling many of the former Unimax Forces of Valor products. Their ultimate goal is to bring each model up to today’s standards, by adding engines and engine compartments, improving the paint wash, and, in the case of the CH-47 Chinook, redoing the front of the helicopter to make it look a bit more realistic when compared with an actual Chinook. This is one of the principal reasons why it has taken the Company so long to bring product to market, as they look to cater to diehard FOV fans and build up a new fan base all of their own.
The correct color palette is used for the exterior paint scheme with weathering applied to give it a battle hardened appearance.
The Chinook, which will come in several variations, nationalities and versions, will feature a detailed crew compartment, lowering rear ramp, free spinning rotors and heavy diecast metal throughout.
Lowering rear ramp and a fully detailed interior crew compartment brings this chopper to life!
Likewise, the Company has updated the product packaging, all in an effort to appeal to the many different types of collectors eager to add a Chinook to their aviation collection. The first 1:72 scale Chinooks are expected to land in September, and, best of all, a larger 1:48 scale version, with even greater detail, is already in-the-works, and will hopefully touch down before the year is out.
New packaging discusses each feature and includes information for other products in the series.
