OK, so here's a summary of what I'm aware of in this scale:
Venexia – Looks like an excellent range, some variety built into the sculpting, hate the large "clunky" looking muskets but could live with them (probably), definitely larger figures, but only available in pre-packaged "unit packs" in the US from Old Rivertowne (what if you don't use the same rules?) or individually direct from Venexia with outrageous Euro shipping, and they are one of the more expensive ranges.
Donnington – An excellent range as far as completeness and variety is concerned, larger figures, but they are somewhat "chunky" and very static in their posing with no individual figure variety built in (different hats, faces, slightly turned heads, etc.), good price and excellent service to the US from Donnington.
Essex – Overall a fairly good range with much variety, cavalry includes some excellent figures and you can mix in a few Renaissance figures as well, but all cavalry suffers from "short leg syndrome" on the riders, very nice infantry and even some different command groups, but the musketeers suffer from the dreaded Essex "I want to be a gymnast!" pose, as in "How far apart CAN my feet go on this little base?" or "How tall would I be if I actually put my feet together and stood up?", more expensive than Donnington or Irregular but still less than Venexia, excellent service in the US from Wargames, don't mix well with Venexia, can mix with some Donnington but have to be very selective.
Hallmark – Probably the "best" range so far for physical proportions and detail and love the guns and accessories, but definitely small figures, and no individual figure variations built in, excellent service from US distributors and stockists, reasonable pricing.
Irregular – May be the best 15mm range that Irregular do IMHO, at least according to pictures, don't own any yet, good accurate figures with subtle individual variety built in (up to 5 variants per figure), good pricing and Ian seems very willing to put together "deals" that fit my ToO instead of forcing "regimental packs" on me, what I don't know yet is how they fit in with the other ranges, will they mix and if so, with who?
So, my questions:
1) Have I missed anyone? And I don't mean the odd stray figure here and there, I mean a complete range for the period.
2) I DON'T want referrals to someone's WSS range because it includes a stray figure or so in round hat versus tricorne. I want specific LoA ranges. Very different periods.
3) Does anyone have pictures of painted figures they wish to share? How about side-by-side comparisons between figures of different ranges like the excellent ones done by Steve-the-Wargamer on his WSS blog?
link
4) I have an existing collection of figures for the post-Rocroi, Fronde and Wars of Devolution period (1643 to 1661); French, Spanish, English and Dutch, all done with TYW and ECW figures from Museum, Old Glory, Donnington and the odd Essex here and there, all with short jackets and a late TYW look to them. I want the new figures to be an extension of this and to "fit" as far as size and general style are concerned, as some of the cavalry will no doubt "float" between armies, at least in the earlier Dutch Wars. I am going to do the early LoA period mainly, with musketeers still having apostles and with my cavalry still having somewhat of a late TYW look to them. So, what figures mix well with Museum, OG and Donnington that I might have missed?
All replies appreciated, but PLEASE, don't tell me how wonderful your brand XYZ 6mm or 25/28mm figures are. All of those ranges and scales have much to recommend them, but they don't fit my personal requirements at this time.
Bill
