[Maple 01]

Not in this lifetime! Seems that model kits and anything else un PC won't find their way into Geoffrey’s store - bloody hippie peacenik Giraffe!

[MoMo]

Thanks LegioLXXll, there is a Toys 'R Us at one of the Super malls on the edge of civilisation here. The trek out to it is tedious, to say the least, but i'll check it out sometime.

The problem is that Toys 'R Us here seemed to have a " No War Toys " policy, when I last visited. It may just be a European thing ( you never know what the Euro minions have been up to ), but I'll check it out anyway.

Have any of you Brits ever been to Toys 'R Us and found anything worth-while ?

MoMo

Not in this lifetime! Seems that model kits and anything else un PC won't find their way into Geoffrey’s store - bloody hippie peacenik Giraffe!

Thanks, Maple 01, it looks like we're sunk on this side of the pond !

MoMo

[MoMo]

I've gleaned some more up to date intel on the exact nature of some of this year's FOV, 1/72 releases :



GERMAN PANZER IV AUSF. 4

FV85051
FORCES OF VALOR ( april 2008 )

GERMAN SD. KFZ. 251/1 & 75MM PAK 40
FV85210
FORCES OF VALOR ( april 2008 )

U.S. M3 LEE - TUNISIA, 1942
FV85211
FORCES OF VALOR ( april 2008 )

RUSSIAN T-72
FV85215
FORCES OF VALOR

GERMAN TIGER I (EASTERN FRONT 1944)
FV85304
FORCES OF VALOR ( end of January, 2008 )

U.S. LANDING CRAFT LCM3
FV85042
FORCES OF VALOR ( march, 2008 )

RUSSIAN T-34/85
FV85418
FORCES OF VALOR ( no date )

GERMAN KING TIGER & SOLDIERS
FV85701
FORCES OF VALOR ( april, 2008 )

Like all of you, I'm most interested to see the Panzer lV. This is a new product from FOV, and like most FOVs in 1/72 it could be brilliant OR it could be a duck ! Let's hope that it's one of the better ones. A generic mark lV would certainly steal a march on Dragon, and collectors and War-Gamers would buy them up by the bucket load !

The 251 ( probably the same mould as the Stuka Zu Fuss .... so a D ) + 75mm AT gun sounds like a good combination if it has a TRUE AT CREW ! If FOV have just stuck some previously available soldiers in a box with a new version of their 251 D and a brand new moulding of a 75mm A.T. gun, then they are offering collectors a Curate's Egg ( good in bits, bad in others ! ). I didn't buy their offering of the boxed US half-track and 105mm howitzer because it was offered on this basis! I don't want to have to pay for a bunch of badly-posed, badly cured, badly-based soldiers whose weapons point any which way, but forward !
FOV, make a set which works by listening to collectors who buy your products! Have a crew which can be carried in the 251, or a crew which is dismounting + a crew which is ACTUALLY FIRING the 75mm A.T. gun, not hiding behind it, or skirting it in the box diorama !

Let's get real, FOV !

Nice to see a U.S. version of the Lee. Now we can all set up " Sahara " scenarios ( who'll play the Humphry Bogart part ? )

The rest of the FOV stuff can wait for comment until it appears.

How many of you would prefer to see FOV products which addressed the wishes of the collector ? I'm sure that you all have little bug-bears which you'd like to see them take note of in order to accommodate your wishes !

Cheers,

MoMo

( ALL dates and product numbers COME FROM " DIECAST DIRECT " SITE. )

[mbv]

Its a pity we are getting yet another T-34/85 instead of something new in the WWII Russian line. I had hoped they would follow up their excellent SU-122 model and camo with the SU-152 or a SU-76, alas all we are likely to get is a new paint scheme for the stock T-34/85

[MoMo]

Its a pity we are getting yet another T-34/85 instead of something new in the WWII Russian line. I had hoped they would follow up their excellent SU-122 model and camo with the SU-152 or a SU-76, alas all we are likely to get is a new paint scheme for the stock T-34/85

I agree.

MoMo

[First Sgt]

I like the first three listed, especially the Panzer IV which should open up a whole bunch of possible markings/units. I also think MoMo is right on the mark regarding the crew members for the halftrack.

[MoMo]

First Sgt

Of course, if you're willing to do a little modelling and painting, Preisser have an excellent Pak 40 crew in plastic ( although a little expensive for what you get ! ) and also a brilliant set of figures disembarking from a 251which needs some assembly, whereas Italieri recently brought out an excellent little set in pretty hard plastic which gives you 2X sets of 6 crew members + 2 X 75 mm A.T, Pak 40 guns which are a real bargain at about $8.00. The crew figures are very good and well sculpted, cast and the poses are excellent ( all action poses, dedicated to the gun ). With just a little sweat and a little skill, and a small outlay for paint ( enamel or acylic ) you could create your own figures which will add depth to your collection.

Another manufacturer to watch out for is the U.S. film Pegasus which is in the process of bringing out PAINTED figures in 1/72 scale. These should be available soon, but you won't find A.T. crew figures. More likely you'll be able to buy selected figures from their Waffen SS sets 1 and 2.

I'll keep my eyes open for them and let you know.

Meanwhile, happy hunting !

MoMo

[172WWII]

Below are links to pictures for some of the new 1:72 FOV releases:

GERMAN PANZER IV AUSF. 4 - Product

U.S. M3 LEE - TUNISIA, 1942 - Product

GERMAN KING TIGER & SOLDIERS - Product

[djjeffhall]

The Panzer IV and Lee are very exciting. FOV offers up some nice stuff, especially at the price you find them at Target in the US.

[MoMo]

Thanks for the links to the pics, 172WW2!

I was thrilled to see that late Panzer lV, J, with its side skirts and side armour for the turret. The camo scheme and weathering look very acceptable too! I think that this one will be a sure, fire hit for FOV. They will sell tons of them to war-gamers and collectors. I plan to buy quite a few and to detail them, if they need it, with new decals to vary the numbers.



The Lee looks interesting, but I noticed that it had no weathering. I'm sure that a more battle-scarred version will be available. Still, nice to see another version of the Lee.......this is the only other version which you can buy of this famous tank. It provided the Desert Army with a 75mm gun, just when it needed it.



The K.T. + all those badly bent soldiers which we have seen before can rot on the shelves, as far as I'm concerned. At £18.99 a set, it would have to be an irresistable K.T. to part me from my hard-earned dosh!!!!




cheers,

MoMo