| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 2:11 a.m. PST |
Gentlemen, Thanks to the encouraging and most enlightening support from this group (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=113240), for which I am really thankfull, the decision has been made. I will do a Napoleonic Austrian Corps, for the 1809 Wagram Campaign. Now, the next item of business is what figures to use…Let me explain. Personally, I like the robust 28mm figures (for example, Mark Simms' SYW range) because they paint easier. BUT, as this Austrian 'Corps' is a pleasant distraction for me, and I will most likely have the bulk of troops painted by a professional service, all options are open…and I am even considering going '30mm flats'! So, here's what I am looking for… 1. Have a complete Austrian range with Border/Militia.
2. The range must be consistent is size/style.
3. 15-30mm. I will not do 6-10mm at this time.
4. Quality must be tops.
5. I dislike highly animated figures…
6. Having the other participants of the Wagram (French, Baden, Saxons, Hessians) would be a significant plus.
6. Cost is not a concern. For 15mm, is AB the logical choice? I need a good push to go 'small' as I have never been there before! For 25mm, Foundry is the most complete range I found, but the style is quite outdated – still nice though. For 28mm and 30mm flats I am completely lost. So, what do you think? If you were to start fresh which figures would you use? Cheers, Ioannis
wargames-etc.com |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 2:13 a.m. PST |
It appears I should have never skipped that day in school when we learned to count above six… |
| Stavka | 08 Jul 2007 2:28 a.m. PST |
If God meant us to count to six he would have given us that many fingers on one hand… The choice is easy as far as I am concerned. In 28mm (not flats!) Front Rank is my own range of choice and seems to meet your criteria.
link Another would be Sash and Saber, but it does not appear to be a complete range. |
| napoleonminiatures | 08 Jul 2007 3:12 a.m. PST |
When have you planned to start with your project, Ioannis? We, at NapoleoN Miniatures, will start with 1809 Campaing in our 1/72 "large" 20mm metal miniatures, that you can see at fremm.es/napoleon The first figures will appear in January 2.008 amd we will cover all the Austrian, as well as French and their Allies. It will be nice to see some of our miniatures painted by your expert hand. Best regards Angel P.S.: Our web site is down until tomorrow, but I can not resist to show our last releases here: Spanish "Voluntarios" picture picture Inspired by the art of Dionisio Alvarez Cueto picture And our Portuguese infantry picture picture I hope you like. |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 3:23 a.m. PST |
Hola Angel! Yes, they all look nice… I have never seen your figures first-hand (not being a Naps fan before!) Does Atlantica carry your range? I will be there this Saturday and I could have a look at them… Un Saludo, Ioannis |
| napoleonminiatures | 08 Jul 2007 4:43 a.m. PST |
HI again, Ioannis.
Atlantica has not our range, only samples, but La Flecha Negra, also in Madrid, do.
Anyway, I would be very pleased sending you some free samples, if you send me your address. Keep in touch Angel. |
| The Gonk | 08 Jul 2007 5:11 a.m. PST |
At 25mm, I would probably suggest Front Rank as well, although I noticed they sadly are lacking Wuerttembergers. |
 Saber6   | 08 Jul 2007 6:18 a.m. PST |
in 15mm Minifig sounds like your best choice. Old Glory would also work, but may be too animated for you. |
| 50 Dylan CDs and an Icepick | 08 Jul 2007 7:21 a.m. PST |
Be warned that Foundry's Austrians are very old castings and look *tiny* next to the others. They are true 25mm. If you use only them, then that's one thing… although putting them up beside any Russian or Prussian allies, or their French foes will look strange. Foundry's pack of Austrian generals is very nicely done, but I regretted my purchase of the others. |
| ArchiducCharles | 08 Jul 2007 7:21 a.m. PST |
Foundry, Foundry, Foundry. I love the true 25mm style, love the style and they have the most complete range outhere. You can mix a few Sash & Sabers in for variation, as the two mix perfectly. No Baden or Saxons, but they have those beautiful Bavarians & an amazing French range. But, of course, I don't think my choice surprises you Ioannis :) Iannick
Clash of Empires link |
| ArchiducCharles | 08 Jul 2007 7:27 a.m. PST |
I don't understand Sam's comment. I have some Foundry Austrians, Bavarians, Prussians and French and they are very similar in height and style. I agree though that Foundry Austrians look like childrens compared to Front Rank or Calpe, or the later Russian range by Foundry. |
| Ilodic | 08 Jul 2007 9:11 a.m. PST |
I have been using Front Rank Russians for years and find the quality to be outstanding…I assume the same is for Autrians as well. The figures are a bit bulky, I like that however. The casting allows you to put as much detail as you want, whether you want to just "paint by numbers" or black wash, highligh, etc. ilodic. link |
| (Blank Name) | 08 Jul 2007 10:49 a.m. PST |
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 Der Alte Fritz  | 08 Jul 2007 11:45 a.m. PST |
Elite Miniatures has everything that you could possibly want in a range for both the Austrians and the French. You need to consider the opposition as well for you will inevitably end up painting French for your Austrians to fight against. Finally, I'd advise not even getting started in Napoleonics until you get your other projects completed. Nappies are a black hole that lead to endless purchases of figures. First you dip your toes into the water with some Austrians. Then you will need French. Then you will want French allies such as Baden , Bavaria and Wurttemburg. Then what the heck, let us do some British for a change of pace to fight the French. Oops, now we need some Spanish and a few Portuguese. Just a few mind you. Heck, now that you have these Austrians, how about a few Russians as well, or the Polish army would be fun too. See, once you start, it is the road to financial ruin. Don't even get started. You won't listen to me of course. But five years from now, I will get to say "I told you so." |
 Extra Crispy | 08 Jul 2007 12:35 p.m. PST |
In 15mm I'll put a plug in for Fantassin. A very complete range, still growing. Mix well with AB. |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 1:30 p.m. PST |
>>>Finally…Nappies are a black hole that lead to endless purchases of figures… As opposed to what I am doing now with SYW? Once in a black hole…what's the difference how deep you get? |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 1:31 p.m. PST |
Guys, many thanks for your arguments…I am still undecided, and of course I am going to obtain samples from the ranges I like most to see where I end up…It is interesting that there is no support for AB's 15mm! |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 1:31 p.m. PST |
Angel, I sent you my address for the samples through a private email…Thanks for the gesture! |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 1:37 p.m. PST |
Regarding the issue with Foundry's 25mm…As I have all my options open, regarding the scale, I would not mind using a 25mm range, as long as it meets my criteria and has suitable opponents (Alte Fritz is right after all!) My only issue with Front Rank is that, at least in their SYW range, there is only one guy (face) dressed up in different uniforms, even across ranges!!! Having said that, I must acknoledge they do meet all of my criteria, plus they offer individual figures! Elite Miniatures: without pictures of the complete range, I am not able to make an informed decision here…I did not like their SYW range, so I must pass this one… S&S, incomplete range… Fantassin, I am going to check it out – thanks! |
| Berthier | 08 Jul 2007 1:44 p.m. PST |
Loanis, My own preference is the 1809 Austrians in 15mm by Old Glory. It is fairly complete and the Austrian Hussars and German Infantry in helmet are some of my all time favorite. But if you want to go with Fantassin, I suggest you skip over to scalecreep.com. Mark's service is excellent. Christopher Anders
Birmingham, Alabama |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 1:57 p.m. PST |
I am just back from reviewing the Fantassin range…Mark's site has no photos for the Austrians, but the Fantassin site has a few small photos of painted samples. Do these figures have over long arms or is it just the way they are photographed? Ioannis |
| Steve at theassaultgroup com | 08 Jul 2007 3:02 p.m. PST |
if you ask me nicely I might make some.. |
| ioannis | 08 Jul 2007 4:47 p.m. PST |
Steve, knowing the high quality of all TAG figures, I am REALLY intrigued on the meaning of your message…Do you mean TAG might be considering a Napoleonic Austrian range? |
| nsolomon99 | 08 Jul 2007 8:52 p.m. PST |
Sounds like you're a 25-28mm man … but … if there's even a sniff of accepting a smaller scale then I'd strongly recommend looking at AB. When I photograph my AB 15-18mm's people often think they're looking at 25-28mm figures. The same level of detail and easy to paint. Complete Austrian range, inlcuding Landwehr and Insurrectio troops and the other French Allied troops with the exception of 1809 Saxons. But even the Saxons are now available from Eureka (AB Distributor) ina similar sculpting style. Nick |
| Der Alte Fritz | 08 Jul 2007 9:00 p.m. PST |
Ioannis – if you think that Perry figures are too small to paint, then I can't see you being very happy with AB 15/18mm figures, even though they are very nice figures. |
| Steve at theassaultgroup com | 09 Jul 2007 1:09 a.m. PST |
I want one for me & if i get enough interest …. |
| napoleonminiatures | 09 Jul 2007 3:28 a.m. PST |
@ Sturat: The size of our figures is same as Zvezda or last Italeri´s
figures.
Our poses are marching in all our ranges, except for the skirmishers, they are ee…skirmishing! Have a look at this report TMP link In one of the pics there are some Revell British Infantry besidies ours. Best regards Angel. |
| ioannis | 09 Jul 2007 3:46 a.m. PST |
Alte Fritz, OUCH…this is a hit under the belt ;-) Even if I decide to go 15mm with AB, I will not paint them myself – at least not all of them… |
| ioannis | 09 Jul 2007 3:48 a.m. PST |
Steve, based on this thread and the other I initiated before it ( TMP link ) many like the 1809 Austrians… |
| ioannis | 09 Jul 2007 3:49 a.m. PST |
And, I would definitely like to go with an 'alive' range like the NapoleoN 20mm or a TAG 28mm… |
| Steve at theassaultgroup com | 09 Jul 2007 7:44 a.m. PST |
@ loannis – if you promise to paint them, i'll promise to make them! |
| ioannis | 09 Jul 2007 8:01 a.m. PST |
Now, this is an enticing offer…28mm from TAG, let me think about it…It's a DEAL! Steve, if you're serious about this, drop me an email to discuss it, as I need to know how extensive the range is going to be and your time frame… imavromichalis@hotmail.com |
| ioannis | 09 Jul 2007 8:02 a.m. PST |
@ Angel, NapoleoN 20mm. Angel, your website is still down, no? I would like to ask you the same question I am asking Steve above. What time frame are you having for your range and what is your projected list of units, etc? |
| ArchiducCharles | 09 Jul 2007 8:30 a.m. PST |
Hey! I want to see those TAG Austrians too! Ioannis, if you hear anything, please drop me an email! I'm always interested in a new 28mm Austrian range. |
| ioannis | 09 Jul 2007 8:50 a.m. PST |
ArchCharles, I thought you were going 100% Foundry… Sure will do! |
| vonLoudon | 09 Jul 2007 11:00 a.m. PST |
I nominate Essex, at least the infantry. Stoic poses. German and Hungarian choices in helmet and shako. Grenzers and Jagers. There are also French from Revolution on out. Not cheap to say the least. Check out the French Guard and the Austrian Cuirassiers on Heavy horses. Awesome to me. Wasn't the most comprehensive range the Connoisseurs? They had Baden, Bavarian, but I don't remember the Wurtembergers being there. |
| ArchiducCharles | 09 Jul 2007 3:59 p.m. PST |
Well, not 100%…more 95% at the moment. I have a few Sash & Saber in there :) A new range could mean new units…for instance, I would love if someone would do the 1809 Insurrectio troops in 28mm. |
| ghost02 | 10 Jul 2007 9:57 a.m. PST |
I am just curious… Why not 6mm? |
| Steve at theassaultgroup com | 10 Jul 2007 12:08 p.m. PST |
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| ioannis | 10 Jul 2007 2:28 p.m. PST |
Steve, nothing came through…I sent you an email through my hotmail address. |
| ioannis | 10 Jul 2007 2:29 p.m. PST |
Why not 6mm…? Simple…I am a 28mm painter and wargamer. For me, getting down the scale will require learning a totally new painting style and gaming mentality. I believe that below 18mm, both painting and wargaming should focus on the 'mass' effect, and not individual figures. This is a step even further from the one I am contemplating taken at this point. So, baby steps… |
| Steve at theassaultgroup com | 11 Jul 2007 12:32 p.m. PST |
@ loannis – this is the email address i use steve@clarkcards.fsnet.co.uk |
| ghost02 | 12 Jul 2007 11:39 a.m. PST |
Ok. Hope your Figs turn out well! |
| ioannis | 13 Jul 2007 7:35 a.m. PST |
@Angel… I just received your samples…Many THANKS! The figures measure 25mm from sole to eye level, not 20mm! What am I missing here? Ioannis |
| ghost02 | 13 Jul 2007 6:59 p.m. PST |
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| ioannis | 13 Jul 2007 10:23 p.m. PST |
NOPE! 25mm sole to eyes… They stand eyes to eyes with Foundry Austrians! |
| ghost02 | 14 Jul 2007 7:39 a.m. PST |
Ok then. You picked a hard scale lol. Most minis say there 25mm but there really 28mm or so. In your case 20mm |
| ArchiducCharles | 14 Jul 2007 8:50 a.m. PST |
- They stand eyes to eyes with Foundry Austrians! – What?! I've been looking at this range (Napoleon miniatures, right?) thinking to myself 'why oh why are they 20mm'. Are you really saying they match Foundry? This could be the range to complement Foundry that I've been searching for some time. |
| ioannis | 14 Jul 2007 10:55 a.m. PST |
Iannick, I am afraid you will be disappointed. The Napoleon 20mm figures are about half as wide as Foundry Nap Austrians! Really thin… |
| ArchiducCharles | 14 Jul 2007 11:12 a.m. PST |
Damn! It would've been nice to find another true 25mm range. Thanks for the info anyway. |
