FOV 1/72 - Mikes Diecast Tanks and Armour

Churchill1 MK VII Normandy, 1944 #85003	Churchill1 MK VII Normandy, 1944 #85003	Churchill1 MK VII Normandy, 1944 #85003
M1A2 Abrams Baghdad, 2003 #85005	M1A2 Abrams Baghdad, 2003 #85005	M1A2 Abrams Baghdad, 2003 #85005	M1A2 Abrams Baghdad, 2003 #85005
Iraqi T-72 Baghdad, 2003 #85015	Iraqi T-72 Baghdad, 2003 #85015	Iraqi T-72 Baghdad, 2003 #85015
	M4A1 Sherman Normandy, 1944 #85024	M4A1 Sherman Normandy, 1944 #85024	M4A1 Sherman Normandy, 1944 #85024

Bradley Baghdad, 2003 #85002	Bradley Baghdad, 2003 #85002	Bradley Baghdad, 2003 #85002
	Challenger Baghdad, 2003 #85019	Challenger Baghdad, 2003 #85019	Challenger Baghdad, 2003 #85019
King Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85201	King Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85201	King Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85201
Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85004	Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85004	Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85004	Tiger Normandy, 1944 #85004

M3 Grant North Africa, 1942 85011	M3 Grant North Africa, 1942 85011	M3 Grant North Africa, 1942 85011	M3 Grant North Africa, 1942 85011
M3 Grant North Africa, 1942 85011	M3 Grant North Africa, 1942 85011	M3A1 Half-track Normandy, 1944 85014	M3A1 Half-track Normandy, 1944 85014
M3A1 Half-track Normandy, 1944 85014	M3A1 Half-track Normandy, 1944 85014	M3A1 Half-track Normandy, 1944 85014	SU-122 Eastern Front, 1942/1943 85041
SU-122 Eastern Front, 1942/1943 85041	SU-122 Eastern Front, 1942/1943 85041	SU-122 Eastern Front, 1942/1943 85041	SU-122 Eastern Front, 1942/1943 85041
T34/85 85018	T34/85 85018	T34/85 85018	T34/85 85018

Sd. Kfz. 251 Ausf D mit Wurfrahmen 40 #85010	Sd. Kfz. 251 Ausf D mit Wurfrahmen 40 #85010	Sd. Kfz. 251 Ausf D mit Wurfrahmen 40 #85010	Sd. Kfz. 251 Ausf D mit Wurfrahmen 40 #85010
Sd. Kfz. 251 Ausf D mit Wurfrahmen 40 #85010		M113 APC Baghdad 2003 #95013	M113 APC Baghdad 2003 #95013
M113 APC Baghdad 2003 #95013	M113 APC Baghdad 2003 #95013	M113 APC Baghdad 2003 #95013

M26 Dragon Wagon
France, 1944
#85044

M26 Dragon Wagon
France, 1944
#85044

M26 Dragon Wagon
France, 1944
#85044

M26 Dragon Wagon
France, 1944
#85044

In 2005, Unimas release a new Forces of Valor Line - Micro Military Vehicles. These vehicles are (mostly) diecast metal and are 1/72 scale. The Details are good, but somewhat variable, depending upon the model. As with the other FOV models, there is a high level of weathering, The initial release (mid-2005) consists of the M1A2 Abrams, M4A1 Sherman with mine rollers, Iraqi T-72, and A UK Churchill. Three of the four models feature figures permanently attached.

Churchill - The Churchill is fairly well done. My main criticism is that fine details actually molded into the hull could be crisper. By that I mean the hatch lines and tools could have sharper lines. I like the twin metal antenna. The figure is OK. He is holding field glasses, so no facial features can be seen. The only accessories which are painted are the extra tracks on the side and one pry-bar(?) on the hull. The end of the gun is blackened. Weathering consists of a spray of light brown along the tracks and lower portion of the tank and some VERY light 'dry brushing" on the hull.

Sherman - First, this is the first Sherman I have seen at this scale which features a cast hull, as opposed to the more angular welded hull. This alone makes it very unique. The equipment such as the cabling is molded to the hull and is not very crisp. The add-on equipage (boxes, etc) is fair in quality, but the figure on my was fine. The mine sweeping assembly is well done, but is all plastic. Weathering consists of a bit of spray on the wheels, and a fair amount of dry-brushing, which provides some nice highlighting.

T-72 - The detail is very good, form the variations in the cast turret to the dents and bulges in the side-skirts. The figure is fine. The weathering features a heavy black wash, and in my opinion is a bit overdone. The details on the hull seem to be fairly crisp, but with the heavy black wash, it is hard to tell what detail is "cast in" and what is highlighted by wash.

M1A2 Abrams - A nice model. One of the best. A good casting with crisp details (for the most part). The wash is good, but not overdone. The Abrams has the worst figure of the bunch, however. The wash on the figure is so heavy, that much of the details are obscured.

Release 2 is very good, with each model featuring the nice "heavy" feel of diecast metal.

Bradley - A VERY heavy little model, this vehicle has the hefty feel of diecast! The turret has a slightly different color than the chassis. The vehicle has a fairly heavy black wash. Overall, good.

Challenger - The heaviest of the bunch! Detail is very good. There is a heavy black wash (especially on the rear deck).

King Tiger - Nicely done with zimmerit One of my favorite pieces! Nice and heavy, not too much black wash (just enough to highlight the hatches and give the vehicle a bat of a worn look).

Tiger - The tiger is also a fairly good piece. The wash is heavier than the King Tiger, but not too bad. Zimmerit on side of the chassis and turret is well done. There is a bur on the top of the mantlet (at the end of the barrel closest to the tank), which detracts from the model a bit.

SU-122 - Superb! Details are crisp. Fit and finish is good, and the camo scheme is EXCELLENT. First rate!

T-34/85 - Fair to good. The rough appearance of the cast turret is a stark contrast to the smooth welded hull, so it looks a bit odd. Details of the items on the hull are not very crisp.

M3 Grant - Some people seem disappointed, but I like this one! Two complaints, however. The front hull pieces do not fit well together, so there is a bit of a gap. Second, FOV should LOSE the rolled canvas attached to the sides! I am sure some people will like them, but I think they distract from the model. I still like it, though!

M3A1 Halftrack - Good detail, plus 1/72 figures! It has nice fine detail on the exterior features, and the interior (rear bed) features are well done. Dashboard detailing is non-existent - but I guess this is to be expected on this small of a mass-produced model.

The pictures above show a visual comparison of the FOV Abrams and the Dragon Abrams. Upon initial examination, I thought the Dragon model was the winner, but upon closer inspection, I have to call a draw. Both are good castings with good detail and fairly crisp hatchlines. As you compare the FOV model to the Dragon, you will find some better definition for some items, worse for others. The FOV model does have a heavier wash than doe s the Dragon model. The antenna are a nice add for the FOV tank, but the figure is a bit of a distraction. FOV model is heavier (4.6 oz vs. 3.5 oz), which probably is due to a higher metal content.

Churchill Comparison
FOV left, Matchbox Collectible
on the right

Churchill Comparison
FOV left, Matchbox Collectible
on the right

Churchill Comparison
FOV left, Matchbox Collectible
on the right

Churchill Comparison
FOV left, Matchbox Collectible
on the right

The pictures above show a visual comparison of the FOV Churchill and the Matchbox Collectibles Churchill. The FOV model definitely gives the Matchbox strong competition. The hatch lines and molded tools on the Matchbox are crisper. The Matchbox Model features some nice multi color unit markings, where the FOV has nice 'personalized' vehicle marking ("Chorley" written on the side). The Matchbox model lacks antenna and features much wider tracks than the FOV model. The light weathering on the FOV tanks makes the model stand out a bit more...less bland. The FOV matchbox model looks as if it rolled off the manufacturing plant floor, while the FOV tank has been out in the "real world". Finally, the Matchbox model is slightly heavier than the FOV model (4.4 oz vs 3.5 oz)

The pictures above show a visual comparison of FOV Sherman and the CDC Armour Sherman. Although different model of Sherman, it is still interesting to compare the two. As noted above, the FOV features a cast hull, and the CDC Armour a welded hull. Everything on the CDC is much more sharply defined than the FOV Sherman. Hatch lines and tools are much cleaner, especially on the hull. The CDC lacks the weathering (as does all of the CDC line). The CDC model also features nicely done red tail-lights and yellow markings on the front hull. Finally, the Matchbox Sherman is significantly heavier than the FOV (4.4 oz vs. 2.9 oz). Although FOV has produced a nice model, I feel it is outclassed by the CDC (and later Matchbox Shermans).

The FOV Bradley DEFINITELY wins the weight test, weighing twice as much as the Dragon Bradley (4.1 oz vs 2.0 oz). The dragon has slightly crisper details. The FOV definitely feels like a diecast piece of Armor! The Dragon is a lightweight. Overall, though, very close.

The FOV Challenger feels clearly heavier than the Dragon ( 4.9 oz vs 3.6 oz). Both are very good. Details are slightly crisper on the Dragon, but not by much - and for some items the detail is better on the FOV. Dragon has a nice dry brush applied which highlights the outside angles and corners. All in all, a draw.

Tiger
FOV left, Dragon right

Tiger
FOV left, Dragon right

Tiger
FOV left, Dragon right

Tiger
FOV left, Dragon right

These are comparable pieces. The Dragon has a bit sharper detail (perhaps due the hull being plastic and not metal). Although the FOV version is heavier, the Dragon version is not too far behind ( 3.4 oz vs 2.8 oz). All in all I give the Dragon the slight edge on detail, and the FOV a thumbs up on metal content and weight.

Action Series Box Enthusiast Box

Action -back, Enthusiast -front	Action -back, Enthusiast -front	Action -back, Enthusiast -front
Action -back, Enthusiast -front	Action -back, Enthusiast -front	Action -back, Enthusiast -front

The Enthusiast series box is black, the Action series green. Inside, the variations are minor, at best. There are slight color variations and the weathering is different. The weathering is not noticeably greater or less on either type, but is different. The only model where this is significant is the Churchill, where the mud on the wheels and lower hull is noticeably better on the Enthusiast version.

Enthusiast Rear of Box

Forces of Valor
Micro Military Vehicles
Brochure

From the front the boxes look rectangular, but side-on, it has an odd, angular shape. To open the box, undo the flap at the rear, bottom of the box and fold the back panel up. The interior assembly (tank and cardboard) will slide out. Undo the twist ties, remove the tank, and then remove the tank from the plastic retainer with a screwdriver.

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Listing
2005 releases

Model	Number
M3A2 Bradley	85002
UK Infantry Tank MK IV Matilda MK VII	85003
Tiger	85004
M1A2 Abrams	85005
Iraqi T-72	85015
Challenger II	85019
M4A1 Sherman	85024
King Tiger	85201

2006

Model	Number
M3 Grant	85011
M3A1 half-track	85014
T34/85	85018
SU-122	85041

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Sherman Comparison FOV left, CDC on the right	Sherman Comparison FOV left, CDC on the right	Sherman Comparison FOV left, CDC on the right
Sherman Comparison FOV left, CDC on the right	Sherman Comparison FOV left, CDC on the right