FOV 1:32 : Tanks good, Planes bad

krieglok · Post by **krieglok** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:54 am

My order of FOV stuff rolled in yesterday. I took a chance and ordered the Me109 along with a Flakpanzer and US Halftrack. The bad omen was parts of the Me109`s tail rattling loose in the box. When I removed the dozen or so screws to get the plane out, I was greeted with a slightly warped tail section and rear fuselage. The rudder was off and one stabilizer(sp) was split open alowing the moveable section to fall off. The landing gear was very tight and took some careful forcing to get the wheels down to their proper position. The paint was too glossy and the canopy was glued on crooked. The extra figure has the same disease as the tank commander of the Grant Tank with his elongated neck, except that the Me109 pilot has the affliction in his one leg, making him very lop sided. This plane needs quite of bit or work to bring it up to my liking. The quality control on this "enthusiast" version is pretty shakey considering the price. The 21st latest releases (FW109, P47 ect) put the FOV planes to shame. I will be saving the shelf space for the 21st planes and let the FOV counterparts passby unless they do a Stuka or Avenger.
The FOV vehicles on the otherhand are just getting better and better with each release. On the US M3 halftrack, FOV corrected some of the problems they had with the M16 such as the upside down cast -in star on the hood. The details, paint, figure and overall appearance on the M3 are excellent. The same goes with the Flakpanzer they put out. Excellent paint/weathering and figures. I highly recommend them.
There is a distinct difference between 21st Century and FOV when it comes to detail and cost. As far as the aircraft are concerned, 21st is beating the tar out of FOV in quality detail and cost. FOV probably should consider some major tweeking to bring up the quality of their aircraft at least to the past standards of their helicopters. When it comes to the armor, they are both leaders in their fields. FOV with the high quality and detail and 21st with great, functional models at low cost.

TJ

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 11:19 am

I got the 1/32 109 also and I was so disappointed that I wrote a review about it on another forum.. I was hesitant to post it here for the number of vendor members..

http://www.modelhangar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2659

DomiUK · Post by **DomiUK** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 1:11 pm

I agree the new FOV vehicles are again excellant and long may they continue to keep putting out new stuff.

However I do want to make a point.

Stuff the vendor membors !

Its honest opinion that counts and frankly I expect thats what they would want to hear too. (well as long as its vaguely construtive anyway)

Its great that suppliers and even the manufacturers might read these forums but it is the collectors that count.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:59 pm

I came across a 1:32 FOV P-51 at a TRU a couple of days ago. I was not that impressed and did not bother to get it. The FOV Spitfire that I purchased a month or so ago, while still having some room for improvement (like covering up the screw holes), looked better.

Although the P-51 was itself in good shape, the engine was molded in yellow, red and silver plastic and lacked the detail of the Spitfire. The plane bore the markings of "Cripes a Mighty" but without the specific nose art. The blue paint on the nose was also far too bright, and extended into the cockpit, where the instrument hood was left a bright sky blue. The radio equipment behind the pilot was painted a solid green - that green was also too bright. The plane came with the sitting and standing figure, two types of drop tanks and rockets. The rockets were too large and looked very toyish. Again, I was not impressed, and I actually consider myself to not be that picky regarding certain details!

The comment made that the new 21c aircraft are superior is very much on the mark, and at least at Wal Mart, I can get two of those for the price of one FOV plane. I have been pleased with the 1:72 FOV aircraft, especially the Stukas, which look great and sell for a decent price. The armor, as was also stated, is improving greatly. Some "Action Grade" pieces such as the LAV-25 look as good as the "Enthusiast" versions. Perhaps FOV needs to take a 1:32 aircraft quality lesson from 21c or Corgi.

KAMIKAZE · Post by **KAMIKAZE** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:58 pm

As usual you guys are right on the money. While I have been very impressed with the latest FOV armor, the aircraft look like a different company made them. I think I'll continue to pass on these untill the quality improves.

Mark

Tinman · Post by **Tinman** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 8:20 am

I mostly collect 1:18, with some limited 1:32 (I've been enjoying some of the FOV modern armor and a few of the 21C 32X planes). I did decide to pick up one of the FOV P-51s the other day. Had a TRU 20% off card, so thought what the heck, I can check it out to see what these are like.

I had decided weeks ago to pass on the Spitfires due to obvious quality issues (every one I saw had the mirror mounted backwards, for instance). I got the gray nose P-51 (agree that the blue nose one is too bright) and I like it.

Has a good heft to it and the one I got lacks quality issues. Wish they'd make some 1:32 jets (post-War). Helos at that scale would be nice, too.

krieglok · Post by **krieglok** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:10 pm

I have not seen the P51s, but I am glad to hear they are better than the Spit. I have the 1:72 F14 and Toranado FOV put out a while ago. I also have the 1:48 helos they put out. These were excellent models. FOV can do it, I guess they have to careful of the manufacturers they use to make their stuff.

TJ

digger · Post by **digger** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:51 am

hworth18 wrote:I got the 1/32 109 also and I was so disappointed that I wrote a review about it on another forum.. I was hesitant to post it here for the number of vendor members..

Harry! Shame on you - this is where honest reviews belong - I would hate to have it any other way.

I think fov is just too quick to follow the money (I guess it is business). They saw what Dragon was doing in 1/72 (just shy of stealing with all the repaints and exclusives

) and jumped in. It worked more or less.
I think they saw what 21st was doing with Xtreme Wings and they wanted some of that action w/o much concern for the product. Although to be fair, it is only recently that 21st 1:32 AC really have come into their own.

Now they are such a steal they burn off the Wally shelves...

flpickupman · Post by **flpickupman** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:57 am

Despite the fact that they're from the Action Series, I find myself disappointed with the FOV LAV-25. The biggest issue I have is the white markings that are painted on it. In the 18 months I spent as an LAR Scout (1st LAR Bn), I've never seen markings like these on one of our LAVs. Not on 3rd Bn's either for that matter. Then there are the ranks of the scout team listed on the back hatch. SPFC? PEC? These are the tiny things that should be the easiest to do right. Even on the action series. Now I have to try and match paints on 4 vehicles to cover this mess up.

Sorry. Rant over..

Everything else I've seen from FOV? Top notch.