So now that I’ve finished my rant in our previous post, there is a bit of good news to report in regards to Forces of Valor. We’ve switched to a new distributor, who is offering us much lower price points for all of the new and existing Forces of Valor products. For example, the new Jagdtiger with the Porsche suspension previously carried a MAP of $89.99. We’re happy to say that we can now sell this very same vehicle for only $74.99, a $15 savings for all you tread heads. Other vehicles have witnessed a similar cut and we’re hoping that all of their upcoming products, particularly their deep range of Tiger I tanks, will see a cut as well.
According to our new distributor, they will be shipping out the new Jagdtiger along with several back ordered items the first week of September. Many of the warships will be returning to stock as well along with a pair of new CH-47 Chinooks, this time around wearing Canadian markings.
The manufacturer, perhaps in response to our scathing critique earlier this month, decided to post a short video of their upcoming Sturmtiger, demonstrating its smooth rolling capabilities (see above) even clad in metal tracks. The optional metal tracks will be offered at some point after the Sturmtiger is released, which will undoubtedly be offered for their Tiger I tanks. Its unclear if the previously released Jagdtigers, Jagdpanther and British Sherman Firefly will also gain new tracks. No word concerning pricing nor how they will be sold, either as add-ons or included with the vehicles as a more deluxe offering.
Forces of Valor broke its silence and finally posted a bunch of new work-in-progress photos for their three upcoming 1:32 scale Sturmtiger assault mortars. According to the posts, final imagery are still weeks away, which means product won’t likely be built and shipped to our shores until October, at the earliest. The photos show the vehicle in three different configurations — initial, early and late stage variants — and provide up-close looks at some of the detail found both inside and outside the finished product. Previously, FOV posted preliminary photos of some of the figures that will accompany each vehicle, including Adolf Hitler and Albert Speer observing the vehicle during its initial presentation phase. Other figures being sculpted include loaders, drivers, gunners and vehicle commanders.
Unfortunately, the lack of final photos for the Sturmtiger typically means that work on all of their upcoming Tiger I (13) and Sherman tanks (8) haven’t moved all that far along beyond the CAD stage, and that product may not make it out for the holiday season. We’re still hopeful that some of the vehicles may make it under the tree this year but want to remind everyone that we aren’t making guarantees based upon the rate of progress we have seen thus far. We wish we had more hopeful news to offer, but want to remain realistic since the holiday season is fast approaching.
In other news, the Company is moving forward with their line of 1:72 scale prop-driven WWII-era fighters which the manufacturer claims will be out by the close of the year. They have also indicated that they have begun work on their 1:72 scale jet fighter series and have signed a licensing agreement with Bell to re-release their 1:48 scale AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters that were formerly produced by Unimax. A UH-1N Twin Huey is apparently also in the offing as is a AH-1Z Cobra helicopter. We will likely see all of their 1:48 scale rotary wing aircraft produced in 1:72 scale, although these are probably a ways off considering all of the previous product announcements.
Finally, while we do not have confirmation just yet from our R/C distributor, it would appear as if their 1:24 scale line of radio controlled tanks will be re-released this fall, which will likely be augmented with their M26 Pershing and M1 Abrams tanks. Still no word concerning VS Tanks, a separate line of radio controlled tanks which was acquired four years ago. And, while images of a 1:16 scale T-72 they have been working on for several years were posted on Facebook several weeks ago, no pricing or date of release has yet been set.
Update: Earlier today, Waltersons acknowledged that nineteen (19) different Tiger I tanks are in the hopper and was kind enough to provide line art imagery for each of the proposed projects (no actual product photos were shown). Two models are listed as 2020 releases, although its not clear if that’s when they are scheduled to be produced or actually going to be released to the public. So, we’re going to assume that none of the Tiger I tanks will make it out by Christmas and that 2021 will be a bumper year as far as Tiger tanks are concerned. The same is likely true for all of the Sherman tanks expected as well as the Elefant tank destroyer. Incredibly, a separate line of “Tank Aces” was also hinted at in a recent Facebook post, thereby increasing the Tiger I count by several more vehicles. While collectors will certainly have a field day choosing from all of the different Tiger I tanks being proposed, it remains to be seen how distributors and retailers alike will be able to inventory and sell so many different versions of what is essentially one vehicle type and how this massed shotgun strategy will likely affect other models still waiting in the wings such as the Panzer IV, Panther and Sherman medium tanks, many of which have their own subset of vehicle types. I guess its time to build a new warehouse.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 186 Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer with Porsche Suspension – “314”, 3.Kompanie, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653, Germany, March 1945 [Bonus Maybach V-12 HL 230 P30 Engine]
Formed on April 1st, 1943, after first being designated the 197th Sturmgeschutz Battalion, schwere Panzerjager-Abteilung 653 (653rd Heavy Panzerjager Battalion) was a specially created tank destroyer unit of the Wehrmacht designed to take on some of the larger and more destructive allied armor being fielded by both the western and eastern Allied powers. It was originally equipped with the Ferdinand and later the more capable Jagdtiger tank destroyer, perhaps the most powerful anti-tank gun of the Second World War. Elements of the battalion served on the Eastern, Western, and Italian fronts between 1943 and 1945, thereby making it one of the most traveled, and dare we say, deadliest units in the German army.
After bitter fighting in the east, the 3rd Company of schwere Panzerjager-Abteilung 653, returned west to rejoin the 1st Company, which had withdrawn to Vienna with only four operational Elefants. In September, both companies were issued with newly-fielded Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyers. The Jagdtiger was the heaviest armored fighting vehicle produced during the war, mounting a 128 mm main gun inside a 72-tonne chassis. However, it was severely underpowered, having been equipped with an engine (Maybach HL230) originally designed for the 57-tonne Tiger I and which had already been found significantly inadequate even for that vehicle. It was only produced in very small numbers – around 80 were ever built – and the few manufactured would only be issued to two units, the 653rd and the 512th Heavy Panzerjager Battalion.
Once re-equipped, the battalion was again split up, with the 1st Company assigned to the 15th Army on the northern flank of the German Ardennes Offensive and the 3rd assigned to 17.SS Panzergrenadier Division Gotz von Berlichingen to the south, where it would fight in Operation Nordwind in January. By February, the two companies had reunited at Landau in the Palatinate, and by the end of the month, they were reinforced to a strength of 41 Jagdtigers. In April, it fell back to Austria, from where it was to receive new vehicles from the Nibelungenwerk Factory, and finally reached its conclusion in the war under the command of Army Group Ostmark near Linz.
Look for Forces of Valor’s latest Jagdtiger to defend the last vestiges of the Third Reich in early September.
Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, has finally revealed details concerning their eagerly awaited aircraft line. While no mention has been made concerning their over-sized 1:32 scale aircraft, the manufacturer decided to pull back the curtains on several different 1:72 scale military aircraft now being developed. Thus far, only line art drawings are being used to show off those fighter planes purportedly in the pipeline, all of which will carry a $49.99 MAP. We’re not sure how they will differ from previous Forces of Valor aircraft, seeing as how the manufacturer likes to revamp each existing mold and incorporate added features, particularly removable engines, as evinced in their 1:32 scale military vehicle range. The Company has taken down information concerning a couple of twin-engine bombers that were also expected, so its unclear if or when they will turn up.
We’ve listed many of the upcoming fighter planes in our Forces of Valor military aircraft category but please keep in mind that we do not know when they will actually hit the market. It could be late 2020 or they could slip into the next year’s lineup.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – schwere SS Panzerabteilung 103, Zwolle, Netherlands, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL 230 TRM P45 Engine]
A number of you have pre-ordered some of the upcoming 1:32 scale Tiger I heavy tanks from Forces of Valor. Please be advised that the manufacturer has made several changes to the names and descriptions for each of the vehicles over the past week or so, and could be making further changes as we get closer to their actual release date. In fact, according to a recent blog post on Facebook, the manufacturer plans on offering as many as 20 different Tiger I tanks at some point in time, which means several haven’t even been announced just yet and others seem to be in a state of flux as to which vehicle and unit they plan to represent. Obviously we will post images for each vehicle once they are passed along to us but for now, we would appreciate it if you review each vehicle as they now stand and notify us of any changes you wish to make for pre-orders already submitted. Panzer Vorwärts!
Back in the day, a cad was a man who behaved dishonorably towards a woman, forsaking her good name in an effort to, well, take advantage of her when chivalry was still the norm. Today, CAD has taken on quite a different meaning, spelled out in capital letters and now signifying computer aided design, a creative process by which most models are now developed with the help of sophisticated software packages.
Recently, Waltersons, the new caretakers of the Forces of Valor brand, posted a bevy of CAD images to their website for many of their upcoming projects. Five different Tiger Is are shown, along with eight Sherman tanks and the first vehicles in their “Inside Out” series: the Sturmtiger. We’ve posted all of the images here and have already begun to accept pre-orders for the group. At this time, we don have firm release dates for any of the vehicles, since the production pipeline was disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis and Waltersons hasn’t shown any of the paint masters so collectors can get a better idea of what the finished products will look like. Stay tuned and remember its going to be a very busy third and fourth quarter from the folks at Forces of Valor, as they get set to release these and other projects long hinted at and finally coming to fruition.
Note: Keep in mind that many of the Tiger I images look the same based upon these CAD images. Actual photos of each Tiger I tank are expected in the coming weeks.
Forces of Valor’s Inside Out Series: German Sturmtiger Assault Mortar
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production RW61 Sturmtiger Rocket Assault Mortar with Loading Crane – Prototype Presentation to Fuhrer, Ehrenfriedhof Arys Proving Grounds, East Prussia, October 20th, 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 V-12 Water-Cooled Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Late Production RW61 Sturmtiger Rocket Assault Mortar with Loading Crane – Sturmmorser Kompanie 1002, Berlin, Germany, May 1945 [Bonus Maybach HL230P45 V-12 Water-Cooled Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Mid Production RW61 Sturmtiger Rocket Assault Mortar with Loading Crane – Sturmmorser Kompanie 1002, Ebendorf, Germany, April 1945 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 V-12 Water-Cooled Engine]
Forces of Valor’s Engine Plus Series: German Tiger I Heavy Tank
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “832”, 2.SS Panzer Regiment, 2.SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”, Eastern Front, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “123”, schwere Panzerabteilung 503, Kursk, Russia, August 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Kursk, Russia, July 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “321”, schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Kursk, Russia, July 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – Michael Wittmann, “S04”, schwere SS Panzerabteilung 101, Eastern Front, Winter 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]
Forces of Valor’s Engine Plus Series: US M4 Sherman Medium Tank
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – 35th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3(105) Sherman Howitzer with HVSS Suspension – 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Avranches, Brittany, France, July-August 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank with HVSS Suspension – “A Paper Doll”, A Company, 68th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division, Germany 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – 47th Tank Battalion, 14th Armored Division, France, 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank with HVSS Suspension – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, NW Europe, 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4(105) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension and Wading Equipment – 713th Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division, Okinawa, April-June 1945 [Bonus Continental (Wright) R-975, Radial 9 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3(76)W Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – C Company, 771st Tank Battalion, 12th Armored Division, Linnich, Germany, February 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Assault Tank with VVSS Suspension – “Cobra King”, C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 26th, 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Assault Tank with VVSS Suspension – “Cobra King”, C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 26th, 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]
Last year, Waltersons announced their intent to make eight different versions of the ubiquitous M4 Sherman tank, the workhorse of the American Army throughout WWII. Initially we were stunned that so many different versions were in the works, when Unimax, the previous owner of the Forces of Valor brand, released only one over the course of several years. While we were a bit skeptical, and hoped they planned on spacing out their releases so that collectors could pick and choose at their leisure instead of having to accept them en masse, the fact remained that we were happy to see so many different variants were going to be offered. Earlier today, we learned which vehicles, units and theatres of action are being replicated and have updated our web site accordingly. Here’s what you can look forward to leading into battle as early as this summer:
CAD images showing some of the new M4 Sherman variants on the drawing board
Interestingly, most of the vehicles will carry an $89.99 price tag while a handful will be pegged at $79.99. Information will soon be disseminated regarding their set of four different Tiger I heavy tanks as well as the first vehicle in their newly launched Inside Out Series, the Sturmtiger assault mortar.
Ever since they started rolling out late last year, I’ve wondered why the display bases for the revitalized 1:32 scale military vehicles seemed a tad unfinished along each of their edges. Well, now I know the reason. Yesterday, we learned that Waltersons has been planning several enhancements for each 1:32 scale set that are designed to give them a bit more polish and added flair. Beginning this summer, the manufacturer plans to release a series of wood-like frames that attach to each of the four display base sides with the forward facing edge mounting an etched metallic name plate. Three sizes will be offered (small, medium and large) as is three types of faux wood finishes: mahogany, black wood and walnut. Pricing hasn’t been set just yet and its not clear if each frame will include an assortment of name plates so that the collector can pick and choose which vignette they are looking to portray. Update: Waltersons informs us that three etched metallic name plates will be included in each set and that the retail price point will probably be fixed at $12.99.
While no images were offered, Waltersons did also indicate that they are planning to come out with an assortment of full-color back drops that can be mounted behind each vignette. Its possible that each back drop will be reversible giving the collector two options to choose from. Its not clear if the back drops will dramatize daytime/nighttime lighting conditions, as hinted at in their T-34/85 medium tank series, or simply provide different vistas and even 3-D pop outs such as buildings and fortifications. Look for these and possibly other enhancement sets later in the year.
On a different note, the Company is looking to branch out a bit by offering a new series of budget-minded interlocking sets that will feature a 4-inch aircraft along with a 1:200 scale section of an aircraft carrier deck. The first “panorama”, if you will, is designed to portray deck operations atop the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) just after its overhaul in 1982. Twelve individual sets make up the entire deck, five on the port side of the ship, five on the starboard side, and two forward over the bow. The embarked air wing will consist of several F-14 Tomcats, F/A-18 Hornets, and an E-2C Hawkeye Early Warning Aircraft.
Pricing for each section will likely be pegged at around $20 per section, thus bringing the entire 12-section set in at just under $240. The entire series is expected to street some time this summer.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Ausf. G1 Tank Destroyer with Zimmerit – “234”, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654, Normandy, August 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL230 P30 Engine]
So, we finally have some good news to report on the Forces of Valor front. Our distributor claims they have received their latest shipment of merchandise, which includes restocks of several back ordered items as well as a handful of new products. The new items include their 1:32 scale Jagdpanther tank destroyer as well as their Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyer. As mentioned previously, these are largely upgraded vehicles from the Unimax line that now feature removable engines, a decorative display base, more metal to give them greater heft and better paint schemes that includes weathering and pitting where applicable. We invite you to check out some of the images we’ve posted for both vehicles to get a better sense of what they now look like.
Forces of Valor’s 1:700 People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force Liaoning Class Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier – Liaoning (CV-16), Hong Kong Visit, 2017
Waltersons first new warship is also on its way to us, the PLAAN Liaoning aircraft carrier (CV-16). Two versions are being offered – one having participated in live fire military drills in the South China Sea in 2016 and the other portraying the ship as it pulled into Hong Kong harbor in 2017. Both have working elevators, a full complement of aircraft, and turning defensive armament as well as a vacuu-formed sea wave blister that can be used to display the ship as if it were at sea. If not, both warships comes with stands so they can be displayed atop a credenza.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 186 Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer with Henschel Suspension – Kampfgruppe Goggler, 3/schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany, 1945 [Bonus Maybach V-12 HL 230 P30 Engine]
Back in December, we did a write up on the upcoming Jagdtiger from Forces of Valor, which is largely an upgrade to the Unimax Jagdtiger released several years ago but now comes with a detailed engine compartment complete with a bonus engine. At the time, there weren’t many images of the new vehicle available, so the article was somewhat text heavy and ended up discussing the reasons for building and fielding a Jagdtiger (hunting tiger) tank destroyer even when the Reich’s late-war resources were scarce and likely should have been diverted to other less costly projects.
Well, the manufacturer was kind enough to provide us with an avalanche of images for their soon-to-be-released Jagdtiger, which show off the upgrades made to the existing mold as well as the weathered ambush paint scheme it now bears.
According to our distributor, both the Jagdtiger and Jagdpanther (hunting Panther) are expected to arrive this month, along with a restock of their Sherman Firefly and other items. We anticipate brisk sales for all three vehicles and hope to share some additional information we’ve gleaned from the manufacturer in the days ahead. Stay tuned.
