As most people know, 'Forces of Valor' now put out a total of seven 1/72 painted figure sets. I have most of them, mainly because they are usually quite well done, are fairly cheap, go great with 1/72 armour, and are better painted than any standard to which I could be bothered or capable of doing myself! Notably, the large diorama bases keep the figures much more stable than the bases used for most 1/72 figure sets, and the poses are often character-filled and relatively realistic. The accessories of sand-bags, barrels, carts and street-lights are also great additions to miniature armour displays
"US 29th Infantry Division (Normandy 1944)": 3 bases, incl one machine gunner, one firing SMG figure, and one stretcher bearer set. This particular figure is unusual and characteristic, especially in such a small scale - even the red crosses on the helmets are done fairly well.
The weapons for the two gunners are a bit under-scale
"German SS Cavalry Division (Ostfront, 1942)":
Very well done - particularly the horse and rider! An important aspect of German mobility was horse-drawn, so this figure fills a gap in the usual panzers and halftracks. The ammo carrier for the MG34 is also hauling a couple of anti-tank rockets, so could more appropriately fill a Normandy scenario.
"German panzergrenadier Regiment (Normany, 1944)": One of the first sets - the NCO leading the charge is a very good figure, as is the ammo carrier. The weapons held by the figures are a bit under-scale and fragile/rubbery looking. The MG gunner appears to be asking for a baked left hand by holding the barrel...
"US 7th Infantry Division (Normandy, 1944)": Another good set - especially the 60mm mortar gunner, grenade thrower, and pointing officer. The weapons held by the SMG and BAR gunners appear to be too skinny and under-scale, and can be replaced
"US 4th Infantry Division (Baghdad, 2003):" Great set, in pre-digicam uniforms - especially the grunt carrying a wounded mate over his shoulders. The M4 carbines appear a bit too small. I converted the standing rifleman figure to operate the M60 on a Dragon Humvee, by carefully cutting away his rifle and diorama base, and slotting the figure up and under the M60 piece
"British 6th Airborne Division (Normandy, 1994)": Poor set - avoid, unless skilled at a bit of re-painting. The caps are in some sort of lurid pink, and the weapons also need to be replaced.
