In a powerful and candid discussion on the Toy Kennections YouTube channel, the team behind Delta-17 Toys, Steve Plett (design/development) and Ken Po (hype/promotions), provided a comprehensive look at the history, financial reality, and deeply personal reasons behind the shifting timelines for their highly anticipated 2026 releases. The duo offered an exclusive tease of the upcoming figures, with their Delta-17 Wave 3 Reveal.

The Hard Reality of Independent Toy Production

The discussion opened with a transparent admission of the difficulties faced in 2024 and 2025. Steve shared that despite working seven days a week on the line, severe personal hardships, including a lengthy struggle with his daughter’s tragic passing, dramatically impacted the production schedule. This context provides crucial understanding for collectors eager for new releases.

“Life has been pretty upside down over here,” Steve stated, confirming that while the line is not stopping, “We’re not going to stop”, the 2026 schedule is running behind. This honesty provides valuable insight into the human element of independent toy development, a topic often glossed over in standard news updates.

The Delta-17 Wave 3 Reveal: Winter Is Coming

Despite the challenges, the Delta-17 team confirmed an exciting shift in theme: Winter Is Coming. The upcoming slate of figures points towards an arctic environment, introducing both new characters and arctic variants of fan favorites.

The late 2026 lineup, which is now expected to ship before Christmas 2026, includes six core figures, focusing on both heroes and villains in cold-weather gear:

Heroes	Villains (Thunder Battalion/October Guard)
Combat Medic Tourniquet	Snow Sparrows (Female Arctic Troopers)
M249 Gunner No Aloha (with a surfboard and companion!)	Arctic Death Sparrow (With new Ushanka hat and fur lining)
10th Mountain Division Trooper	Arctic Thunder Battalion (Potential Joe Fest 2026 debut)

The team noted that the 10th Mountain Division figure, based on the specialized US military division focused on Arctic and alpine terrain, confirms the new direction. Meanwhile, the Snow Sparrows and Arctic Death Sparrow variants will provide stunning new army-building and character options for the villainous ranks.

Joe Fest 2026 Exclusives Confirmed

The discussion confirmed that Delta-17 will have two exclusives for Joe Fest 2026. These exclusives are currently in production and will feature “some new innovations.” Fans will have to wait for the official reveal, but the tease suggests something unique is planned for the annual convention.

A Look at Development and Uniformity

Steve also offered a technical explanation of the Delta-17 aesthetic. He confirmed that multiple sculptors (including Tommy Hodges, Jesse Sandifer, and Carter the Conqueror) contribute to the line. However, to ensure a consistent look that matches the style of the first wave, figures often receive minor touch-ups from Tommy to ensure “uniformity of style.” This level of quality control is what defines the unique Delta-17 look.

I encourage you to watch the Toy Kennections video above for the full, detailed teaser images. You can follow the ongoing sale at delta17toys.com.