[vaindioux]

Hi

I think they make 2, a French front and an eastern front version, right?
I haven't had a chance to look them close up in stores and was wondering what owners think of them.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by vaindioux

Hi

I think they make 2, a French front and an eastern front version, right?
I haven't had a chance to look them close up in stores and was wondering what owners think of them.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

I have two and one is a desert version with the python on the side. Not as good as the Corgi one, but not to bad overall.

[Epapazian]

I have the desert version with the snake patterns on the sides. This isn't a bad model. On the plus side, the weathering is a nice touch. On the negative side, they give you a pitot head on both wings, unlike Corgi, which leaves it out entirely. One pitot is the right amount. Also, FOV's model has large, ugly screw holes under each wing---not good.

[1250ships]

I have the French version which I got because it was only $10.99 at Target. I rather like it. It looks good sitting next to my Corgi Legends one I got at some TM dump. Some photos:

[ChairmanMilo]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I have the desert version with the snake patterns on the sides. This isn't a bad model. On the plus side, the weathering is a nice touch. On the negative side, they give you a pitot head on both wings, unlike Corgi, which leaves it out entirely. One pitot is the right amount. Also, FOV's model has large, ugly screw holes under each wing---not good.

I have the same version. It does have ugly screwholes - as do all Forces of Valor 1:72 planes. The tail wheel on mine breaks off every time I dust it and it has to be re-glued. The prop droops too - I haven't quite figured out how to fix it without gluing it (which would make it impossible to turn it or to remove the engine cover). The aircrew aren't great but at least they're there. Paint job on the figures is sub-par on mine at least.

If you go for an Action version of this release instead of Enthusiast (with the weathering and additional accessories), make sure you thoroughly examine it. All of the Action series planes that I've seen have aircrew with absolutely horrible paint jobs. We're talking two different colours, three tops, painted so poorly you wonder if a child was responsible. The planes themselves often have smudges, finger prints and somewhat poor paint jobs.

In conclusion, the Enthusiast version runs at about $20-30 USD depending on the retailer. The Corgi bird with the exact same scheme can be had for slightly more; I don't have one myself, but I may replace my FoV with the Corgi version in the future.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I have the French version which I got because it was only $10.99 at Target. I rather like it. It looks good sitting next to my Corgi Legends one I got at some TM dump. Some photos:

Aren't these supposed to be in a black green/dark green splinter camouflage? The FOV Stuka in your pictures seems to have a dark gray/medium green upper surface. Or is it the lighting?

[skydriver]

I have 4 FOV Stukas, and overall I am very pleased with them.

The GOOD in my opinion:

They have a good heavy feel to them and have nice engraved ( if this is the right term ) panel lines. The front wheels roll nicely and the propellor spins freely. Also, the cowling can be removed to display a nicely detailed engine ( for a 1:72 scale ) with various painted parts to show various wiring and parts. I also like that it does have the spinners ( although they are fixed) on the landing gear ( see on the photos) as did some variations of the actual plane. The paint is excellent as there is no overspray on any of my planes,and the markings are excellent. All of the small parts look great, as there is no excess metal residue from the mold stuck to any of the parts. Also, some of them do have a little weathering which is a nice touch. And, you have your choice of 2 variations of bombs to attach to the plane.

The BAD in my opinion:

Just as Epapazian said, there are a few large screw holes on the underside, but I can live with that. My biggest complaint is the paint scheme on the France version and the Austria version is the same exact paint camoflauge scheme. I mean exact same scheme. The only difference are the painted cowling and rudder on the Austria version as well as a few emblems, aircraft identification numbers, and spinner. Also, there is no "swazi" on any of the tails, which is no big problem. And unlike ChairmanMilo said, I think the painted crew is pretty good for 1:72 scale. You can make out their flight suit ( brown ) something that looks to be a parachute/life preserver ( yellow, although I don't know why Stuka pilots would need a life preserver ), oxygen mask ( black ) and flight helmet ( black ). And, I still think the overall paint job is excellent, at least on mine they are.

Overall, for an average price of about $12.00 -$14.00 at Target ( if you can still find them there ) I would recommend getting them. I do not think you will be dissapointed.

And, it seems that they make 4 versions, at least that is what is shown on the back of my boxes. And, the color's in the pictures are off a little. The actual colors are a dark dull green and a dark grey which in real life looks great.

[ChairmanMilo]

#85030 German Ju 87B-2 St. G 1 - Eastern Front Product

#85330 German Ju 87B-2 St. G 51 - France Product

#85430 German Ju 87R-2 St. G 2 - North Africa Product

#85230 (Ju 87B STG 77, Austria 1941) isn't listed on their site, oddly. Not even in their retired section. Unless I'm blind and didn't see it?

Hope this helps.

[Hurriup!]

Depends on what you want to pay vaindioux, I looked these over at my local Toys R Us and wasn't too impressed with them them they definitely looked as though you get what you pay for. The tail on the ones I saw were crooked and overall the paint scheme didn't look that well done. I decided I would wait and get a couple of corgi's which I now have the Austrian and Russian front winter scheme.I am very happy with these two I paid more but they are very nice birds.

[vaindioux]

Hi

Well I checked my local target, no stukas and not even a single aircraft (Matchbox doesn't count). I have decided to hold until I see one close and personal. It seems the Corgi's are a much better product from the answers here but again it's all in the eye of the beholder.
I am not too picky but I don't want dogs in my collection.

Thanks for all the quick help

Patrick