Small Scale Military Headquarters

I was looking in Target the other day and saw a Forces of Valor 1:18 Abrams Tank I was interested in buying. Before I bite, I was wondering if anyone can help me out with a comparison between the bbi Elite Force version and the FOV version Abrams Tanks.

How do the sizes compare?
Which has a better paintjob?
Which is more realistic/detailed?

Any problems with damaged parts or accessories?

Thanks for any help

Here you go.

Good comparison of the two by Birddog.


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I did have both tanks for a while, but eventually sold the BBI version and kept the FOV tank. Sort of a matter of preference on my part, but in general I liked the looks and paint job of that tank over the BBI version.

Anyways, both tanks are similar over all. Size is the same, though both have slight differences in the turret shape and track links. I've heard that both turret shapes are reasonably accurate - the BBI version dating from the M1s made in the 80s and early 90s with the FOV one being more recent.

Both paint jobs are well done. The older BBI tanks had a more gloss finish to the plastic, but the shine was dulled on the newer ones. The FOV tank has a lighter shade of desert tan that I think is more accurate to current M1s. I personally think it has better weathering and looks more professional than the BBI tank.

Both are pretty realistic and well detailed. Both do not have much in the way of opening hatches and moving parts, though. Only the commander's and loader's hatches open. The hatches are deeper on the FOV tank, so the figures properly stand. The hatches are shallow on the BBI tank, so the figures actually wind up sitting. The BBI tank comes with a little "stowage" and the FOV tank does not have any. The periscopes may be better replicated on the BBI tank. Also, the BBI tank has the radio antennas (though they are very short) while the FOV tank does not have them.

Both tanks are pretty sturdy and there really is not much concern over broken parts. The MG mounts would be of the most concern for something snapping off.

What is of concern are the soft plastic parts and both tanks have them, particularly on the turrets. These parts tend to get bent, but can be fixed. The bent parts are most noticeable on the FOV tank where the rear stowage rack on the turret tends to be droopy, as does the .50 MG. The MG can be replaced with one of the guns from the FOV tank commander figure, which is made of hard plastic. The drooping rack can be fixed by soaking it hot water and bending it to the proper shape.

That's pretty much what I can say about both tanks. I'm sure another board member can fill you in on the nuts & bolts in terms of which really is the most accurate. Again, in my opinion I like the FOV tank better, but both are great and worth the purchase!

They are both great tanks!!!!!!!!!! I have two FOV's and two BBi's and they look awesome together.

I have the FOV Abrams and like it a lot---except for the problems well described by Tmanthegreat.
On the FOV Abrams, the driver's sight box doors are supposed to be located inside the box, not on the outside.

I just bought 2 of the bbi Abrams in the UK for £18 each +3.50pp, which in the UK is a steal. Any other board members from the UK chek out Amazon UK as actionfigures stores have stocks. Sorry for the offtopic reply but us brits are seriously starved of this stuff

I also prefer the FOV tank over the BBI. As T-man states, the paint job and weathering of the tank is just a tad better than the BBI version.

Tman, how did you fix the rear stowage rack on your FOV Abrams? I see you soaked it in hot water. Does the turrent come off the model? I have not tried yet to see if it comes off. Mine sure does bend down, and I would like to fix it.

P39TIME:

I tried to fix my bent 50 cal barrel and the bent mount by soaking them in hot water about 20 times. Within hours, they returned to their original shape. I gave up. I assume the bent stowage rack will do the same.

Just my 2 cents, the FOV is as every one else has stated a great static display. However I find the tracks on all the FOV vehicles a bit to tight if you plan on pushing them across the floor. This is my sons main complaint.

P39time wrote:Tman, how did you fix the rear stowage rack on your FOV Abrams? I see you soaked it in hot water. Does the turrent come off the model? I have not tried yet to see if it comes off. Mine sure does bend down, and I would like to fix it.

I actually heated water on the stove, poured it into a caserole dish, tilted the whole tank and then leaned the turret rack into the hot water. I did not take off the turret. After a couple of minutes, I removed the part from the water and doused it with cold water from faucet in the kitchen sink to help it hold the shape. It worked well for the short term but then bent back somewhat to its original position over time - although the rack was not as bent as it iniitially was.

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Dragon, if you are unhappy with the rubbery MG, simply remove it and replace it with the gun that came with one of the FOV tank commander figures. The gun itself can then be superglued to the MG mount on the tank. You can also cut the little cylinder underneath the M1's gun and glue it to the replacement for a more proper look. Either way, the result comes out looking pretty good. See the photos below:





I have done some other paintwork on the M1, including inaccurately painting the doors to the scope black instead of leaving them tan

TMANTHEGREAT:

When I bought my FOV tank commander, I thought of using his 50 cal mg to replace the bent one on the Abrams, but decided against it because I'm thinking of moving, and I don't want the replacement 50 cal to break off when I pack it back in the box.