Small Scale Military Headquarters

* Apparently the Uk got these first according to an eBaY seller there.

..... not sure if we'll get it in the same packaging. May just be an exclusive for Europe , who knows.




* France 1945 ???


- MG

... changed your mind about the Chaffee didn't ya' PanzerArm ? ... I knew you'll get one eventually.

Looks great, interesting packaging.

However, that seller is from Hong-Kong (where Unimax is based). They always seem to get them a few weeks earlier as there is no shipping time from manufacturer to distributor.

Anyone in the UK will have to pay VAT+charges on top of that price as it is from outside the EU.

I am pleased to see this though, they are on their way!

* Yep , from Hong Kong. Sorry , just seen GBP and just assumed UK w/o checking first.



- MG

Those have been on ebay for about 2 weeks. They have the Tiger on there too:



And yes Mitch, I think I have changed my mind about getting that Chaffee, part because it grew on me a little, and part because my "FOV sucks they need to make better stuff" boycott is over now that they announced a bunch of stuff for 2012.



-Kevin

PanzerArm wrote:Those have been on ebay for about 2 weeks. They have the Tiger on there too:



And yes Mitch, I think I have changed my mind about getting that Chaffee, part because it grew on me a little, and part because my "FOV sucks they need to make better stuff" boycott is over now that they announced a bunch of stuff for 2012.



-Kevin

They sure showed you Kevin!

Very impressive line up from FoV this year.

* Think I'll add the Tiger to my list as well , as the camo scheme looks impressive.

........... impressive new packaging too I like it .


- MG

Looks good. Miss their old packaging. Looks like the US may be getting this within the next weeks. Looking forward to buy the tiger, t-34, and panther.

The re-release of the stalingrad grey 88 flak gun

http://www.ebay.com/itm/German-88mm-Fla ... 2a189713e3

I'm STILL PISSED OFF about the CHAFFEE!
Everybody and their Grandmother HAS a 21st Cent. Chaffee and that's more than good enough for me.
I will buy the new Tiger repaint, US Ambulance and the Krupp Truck when they surface.

Would be NICE to see some COMPARISON SHOTS between the FOV and the 21st CENT CHAFFEE'S.

PLASTIC GENERAL

Could this finally be the end of those nasty metal twist-ties!??!?

YES, no ties, rubber bands that break, and easy removal from the packaging. Easy repackaging too. I think this is great news for collectors.

We got these in today.

Just want to give everyone a heads up.

Check the M24 chaffe gun mantle before you buy. Could just be a one time thing, but I had to send one back to our suppliers as it had cracked.

Perhaps it was HIT with an 88mm shell.

The FlyingMule (and I assume other US retailers) are showing these in stock now. I should have my new Chaffee in a couple days at most

I'm interested to see how it compares to the 21c 32x version. From the pictures, the FOV tank looks at though it will have fewer opening hatches, etc, but an overall more realistic look.

FOV prices are getting quite steep. From the photos I have viewed, it appears that there is only one functioning hatch. Again, just from the photo, it looks 'plasticy'. I don't know if I'm willing to spend $60 plus when I can pick up 21st Chaffees for $5-$10 at fleamarkets... That having been said, I am pleased FOV has as many new releases as it does for 2012.

My FOV Chaffee arrived today I've posted some photos, a review, and comparison to the 21c M-24 below.

First, the box:



It is exactly like what was pictured above and I like the new packaging style. While it lacks the "action and drama" of the old window boxes, it holds everything efficiently and allows one to store the tank back in the box with ease. In addition to the tank, parts, stowage, and figure, the other accessories include a road block, fence, sign, and the trading card.

Interesting note on QC: My trading card, while showing a picture of the M-24, reads "The 2.5 Ton Cargo Truck, popularily called the 'Deuce and a half' first saw service as a workhorse vehicle in WWII." It goes on to describe the truck. If anyone else has this problem with their card, I'd like to know!

The tank:

Overall, the sculpting and tooling of the vehicle is well done and accurate to the real thing. It does not have the exposed screw and seams that are on the 21c version. Please note that the green actually is much flatter in person - the flash on my camera makes it look more glossy. The weathering consists of a slight brown dusting on the sides and underside. It is more than on the 21c tank.



The stowage is removable and designed to fit onto its respective place on the tank. It looks pretty good. The turret MG rotates and elevates. Main gun elevates. Turret turns, tracks roll. Bow MG does not move. The 21c tank (see pics below) really has just about as much stowage, which itself is well done.





The only opening hatch is the commanders. Hatches & an interior are where the 21c version really has the edge ove the new FOV tooling. All hatches & the storage compartment open on the 21c tank; not so on the FOV vehicle. The 21c turret is hollow & has the gun breach detailed - there is no interior on the FOV tank. I did not expect an interior (thats typically not been an FOV thing) but they could have easily made the loader's hatch and the driver's hatches open. Heck, they did that on their M4 Sherman and M5 Stuart toolings without loosing accuracy!

The FOV M-24 is larger than the 21c version. I'm not sure which is exactly scale in 1:32. The FOV tank also does not have the armor skirting along the sides of the tank like the 21c version.





Overall, its tough to compare the two tanks and definitively say which one is better. Both seem to have their positive and negative points. I do think the FOV Chaffee captures the overall look of the tank better, but the 21c version has far more functionality and working features.

* * *

And while its completely unrelated to the M-24 Chaffee, I also got the 1:700 scale HMS Hood. Its a shame the FOV Bismarck model is a smaller scale, but at least there is the similar-looking Tirpitz to go along with the Hood.

Actual pictures are on the flying mule website. I did a quick search and the motor pool is charging $70 + shipping. The mule is $64 + shipping. Prices are rising, so I may just get the panther and t-34/85.

I am in the same boat Heer. They are asking crazy prices for this stuff and it really has scared me into probably just buying a few pieces. I don't think I will get this Chaffee.


-Kevin

Pictures of the new tiger was not impressive. No weathering at all. Paint job was OK. I wasn't too happy at all with this tiger. I am seriously considering passing on this tiger, although I really want an eastern front tiger . I will still get the panther and t-34/85 regardless of how big the disaster are on those 2 pieces .

Thanks for the photos and commentary. I think I will save my money for the Jeep, the Dodge ambulance, the T-34 and the German soft skin vehicle (sorry, the name escapes me at this moment.). Not to be redundant, but I am, expensive...

anyone remember when the first tiger tank was like $30.....sigh now its almost twice that for a light tank. I will pick it up eventually for giant dio. Just gonna have to save. But I will prolly get ambulance first. I hope it comes with stretcher barers

miggles wrote:anyone remember when the first tiger tank was like $30.....sigh now its almost twice that for a light tank. I will pick it up eventually for giant dio. Just gonna have to save. But I will prolly get ambulance first. I hope it comes with stretcher barers

Yes I remember when tanks were 9.99 at walmart, but I passed on most of them . It looks like FOV has hiked their prices from $30 in 2003 to $60 in 2012. A 100% hike in prices.

Thanks for posting the comparison shots, it really was the DEAL BREAKER for me.
I wish FOV. would be aware that 21st Cent. Chaffee's are a dime a dozen and their new version is not enough of an improvement to justify buying it. An interesting observation though, The FOV chassis is much longer than it's counter part. The SAME goes with the FOV Jag Tiger, its MUCH longer than the 21st Cent. version.
INSTEAD, I WILL wait for the AMBULANCE and the KRUPP truck, hell, I'll buy the Tiger I also.

PLASTIC GENERAL

* * * Good review "tman" & Thanks for posting pics. I always thought the 32x Ultimate Soldier Chaffee was too small so I'm glad I went ahead & ordered it despite what some think about it. It's actually not such a bad piece. At least FoV offered something different than it's predecessor. * * *

Heer wrote:Pictures of the new tiger was not impressive. No weathering at all. Paint job was OK. I wasn't too happy at all with this tiger. I am seriously considering passing on this tiger, although I really want an eastern front tiger . I will still get the panther and t-34/85 regardless of how big the disaster are on those 2 pieces .

>>> It is an Eastern Front Tiger. ... Moreover , I can see maybe about the paint chosen for the new Panther but why such a disaster concerning the 4th. series T-34/85 ???


- MG

MG-42 wrote:* * * Good review "tman" & Thanks for posting pics. I always thought the 32x Ultimate Soldier Chaffee was too small so I'm glad I went ahead & ordered it despite what some think about it. It's actually not such a bad piece. At least FoV offered something different than it's predecessor. * * *

Thanks on the review. I like the new FOV Chaffee, if anything for simply the way it looks. Then again, I've also really enjoyed my 21c 32x version. Each has their positive and negative points. The 32x version has far more functionality than the FOV tank (i.e. more opening hatches, etc), which is something I always like and which FOV could have done.