"Best Modern figures/ AFVs for 20mm and 1/72?" Topic

I have been considering gaming moderns using Ambush Alley or Force on Force for platoon up to company level games. (I am also considering larger size battles using Cold War Commander and going with the micro armor sizes/scales, but that is another thread.)

Anyway your thoughts on the 20mm and 1/72. Please include your thoughts on cost and other factors such as terrain. If I remember correctly 20mm is close to HO Railroad modeling and therefore it would be easy to get modern buildings and other scenery. To help narrow things down I would be looking at games taking place in either a fictional cold war going hot in Europe or in proxy wars set in the Middle-East. South or Central America could be another interesting option.

Thanks

It's a good scale, though I would advise you buy metal 20mm figures and not rely on the various interpretations of what 1/72 means for infantry. I've found that 20mm metal inf goes with all the 1/72 models and pre paints out there.

There are a variety of pre painted 1/72 scale modern AFV's and tanks on the market. Google Dragon Armour and Hobby Master to get an idea of what's out there. I've had some trouble getting pre paints for what I need for mid east gaming however. If you want to use model kits it's not a problem at all, but more work on your end.

20mm metal figures are pretty inexpensive, but the vehicles can range from dirt cheap to over priced.

Check out Sands Models, I was just looking through their catalog. They have a pretty extensive range of 20mm vehicles, and some infantry as well. Chinese and German, if I am not mistaken.

I just wish they made some of those 20mm in 28 instead!

I was about to ask for suggestions of manufactures in particular infantry models. I will check out Sands Models.

Infantry – you can look at Elheim, S&S, Combat Miniatures (www.stonewallfigures.co.uk), and Liberation for 20mm among others in metal. In plastic, there are several different soft plastic manufacturers. Check out Plastic Toy Soldier review moderns page here:

link

Manticore,

That is actually S and S models. They have a wide range of vehicles and seperate weapons and both their vehicles and infantry are great.

Liberation Miniatures are well worth checking out, their infantry figures are tops and if they dont sell you on 20mm then nothing will!

Best of luck!

Dan

S and S make some damn fine vehicles.

Don't forget Britannia who do very nice Vietnam, Cold War and Afghanistan vehicles and figures:-

link

S and S models look great, but there website is a pain. No prices, and when you look at the catalog they tell you at the bottom that it is just a small sample of what is available. Okay, what is available and how much is it? I would love to order some but have no idea if I can afford it!

Love the Liberation minis I have. Brittania has some good moderns too.

F or an S & S catalogue you just do what they say on the site-- contact them via email and they will send you a full document listing everything they make.

I love Liberation Miniatures…when I can get them. :-(

If there was ever a product line that deserved really reliable manufacturing and distribution it's Liberation Miniatures. My dream for 20mm moderns would be GZG Jon's service, website, and reliability applied to the Liberation Miniatures product line!!!

The fellow who runs Syr Hobbs, the US source, is very nice but has many, many reasons for orders not being filled, communications not being followed up, etc.

The UK manufacturer and seller, RH Models, is also run by a nice fellow. But it's my understanding that personal issues have undermined his ability to run the business. And his ordering process is rather onerous to say the least.

After a few orders from Syr Hobbs which required numerous phone calls and e-mails to complete I placed another with them and after weeks of no response I placed the same order with RH. Couldn't get a response from either one. No money changed hands given the ordering process (eg Syr Hobbs cart doesn't work for LM stock) but I REALLY wanted to give them my money for their excellent products!!!

I have found the folowing have exelent service UK to USA.
Britannia Great Nam lines and VEH also Modern and VEH 5 on a scale of five with five being best.
Platoon 20 great line for Nam and some Moderns 5 stars Detractor their vehicle line is being redone.
Squadron Headquaters 5 stars have not tried their vehicles
Elhiem 6 stars why great service listened to custumers to expand Nam lines and Moderns from conception to production and sale weeks not years His new US ARMY 2003 INF Packs have been described as some of the best figures ever sculpted in 20mm. I have seen them , they are.
He researched the weapons and equipment not from Google but from the folks who where there and it shows. Personaly my favorite would be his Nam line MIKE FORCE Cmd set the pose the equipment are simply the best Ive ever seen. he does not do vehicles and a Modern British unit is next.
S&S vehicles are superb Ive never ordered from him not for lack of desire he has always promtly answered e-mails and provided any info i ever asked for you cant go wrong with any of the venders for 20mm above some like S&S do multible scales as well…….Mikey

I love the look of almost all those Elheim figures. I'm so glad they are jumping in to the Modern and Nam stuff!