| WereSandwich | 20 Dec 2009 2:29 p.m. PST |
I'm interested in getting into WW2. For rules I'll be using Crossfire since that's what got me interested. My first choice for miniatures would be 1/72 plastics- however, my principal (read 'only') opponent, my brother, doesn't like them for some reason. He'd prefer 28mm, but my budget doesn't stretch to ~£50 per Crossfire Company (poor starving student). 20mm or 25mm metals seem a reasonable compromise, since they're (apparently) nicer looking than 1/72s but they should be a damns sight cheaper, and I can use 1/72 armour with them. What are the best ranges in this scale? I know of SHQ and Fantassin. Are there any others? Which ones are best? Thanks, |
| f u u f n f | 20 Dec 2009 3:36 p.m. PST |
I suggest you look into Valiant's "1/72 scale" plastic WWII soldiers. They are larger then most 1/72 and are just about 25mm. They are rather nice and cost around $20 USD or so for about 60 figures. Plus they have lots of options, about half or so are multi-part. |
| The Lost Soul | 20 Dec 2009 4:08 p.m. PST |
Another vote for the valiant models, they look really good, are cheap, and fit in well with my 1/72 vehicle collection. |
| Kraussian | 20 Dec 2009 5:36 p.m. PST |
Yes, Valiant Miniatures will get my vote too. Official Website: valiantminiatures.com However, note that they do not make any Soviets yet. This was the only reason that I did not go with them, as I wanted to play the Great Patriotic War (a.k.a Eastern Front). |
| Bunkermeister | 20 Dec 2009 7:51 p.m. PST |
Pegasus in 1/72nd scale makes SS figures specifically for Kursk. They make two different sets. They have many separate parts and so they make a load of poses. The are also making Russians, and a nice selection of German and Soviet vehicles as well as Russian buildings. Cheap, easy to build, and accurate. Check them out on my blog, or Plastic Soldier Review. Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek bunkermeister.blogspot.com |
| Frothers Did It Anyway | 21 Dec 2009 2:49 a.m. PST |
Er…the OP said he wanted metals and not plastics? SHQ are nice, Fantassin also nice but the two probably wouldn't mix that well as SHQ are on the small side and Fantassin are on the larger side. AB are routinely touted as "the best" but they are also the most expensive so, since you are broke, they might not be for you. |
| Phil1965 | 21 Dec 2009 3:01 a.m. PST |
Why not choose a side each, then you buy plastic and your brother can buy his metal, you will get a lot more for your money. |
| WereSandwich | 21 Dec 2009 5:14 a.m. PST |
I had considered Valiant, but they don't do Soviets, which is the biggest turn off for me. How do their plastics fit in with 20mm metals? Are they roughly the same size or are they much heftier? If they fit in nicely I could get plastic Western Front stuff then get some metal Russians. Forgive my ignorance but who are AB? Does it stand for something? |
| Frothers Did It Anyway | 21 Dec 2009 5:18 a.m. PST |
AB Miniatures is just what they're called. Valiant don't fit well with any other ranges, they are more like undersized 28mm figures. For Russians I would also recommend Elheim. |
| Fred Cartwright | 21 Dec 2009 7:52 a.m. PST |
Are you looking for 20 or 25mm figures? You have to be aware that 20mm figures like the SHQ and AB ones are no bigger than the plastics so you might as well get those. If you want "big" 20mm figures then Brittania and Raventhorpe ranges are on the large side. If you want 25mm metal then the only true 25mm figures are the Battle Honours range (not sure who has these now) and those by Westwind. I don't know how these compare in terms of cost with 20mm metals, but probably not much in it – particularly for the high end ranges like AB. An alternative is to scour Ebay and auction sites for second hand ones. |
| WereSandwich | 21 Dec 2009 9:47 a.m. PST |
After some discussion, we've decided to go for the Valiant hard plastics. They should be close enough to 1/72 armour to be compatible and they're within our price range. I'm perplexed as to why he likes the Valiant plastics but not the other 1/72 ones, but at least we'll actually be able to play. Thanks for the help everyone. |
Pat Ripley  | 22 Dec 2009 5:37 a.m. PST |
AB – Anthony Barton the sculptor |
| Arvaker | 22 Dec 2009 7:17 a.m. PST |
Valiant look horrible in my opinion and they don't fit with ANY other manufacturers figures or vehicles on the market. I'd stay away from them. Go with plastics, Elhiem, SHQ, AB, TQD and the like instead. |
| Griefbringer | 22 Dec 2009 8:30 a.m. PST |
I'm perplexed as to why he likes the Valiant plastics but not the other 1/72 ones, but at least we'll actually be able to play. I guess he preferes the exaggerated proportions of the Valiant range to the more natural proportions seen on many of the other 1/72 ranges. |
| Ditto Tango 2 1 | 22 Dec 2009 11:11 a.m. PST |
I'd just do the brotherly thing and kick his ass.  28mm are ghastly looking abominations of human anatomy and why people like them is beyond my understanding. He's probably just a plastic snob and my advice to you is to disown him.  Direct him to my site – I don't think plastic 1:72 looks that bad: picture picture picture picture All Crossfire games, BTW. Lots more at ucs.mun.ca/~tmarshal
--
Tim |
| spontoon | 02 Jan 2010 8:39 p.m. PST |
Try Reiver figs from Under the Bed Enterprises. |
| ramsildor | 02 Feb 2010 7:46 a.m. PST |
Take a look at Thoroughbred's Sojers, they are very nice. link |
