"Victrix Austrians with Front Rank command - compatability." Topic

Some here might find these pics useful? While the Victrix Austrian infantry boxes contains 56 excellent figures, only 2 command sprues are included which means just 2 each of Officer, standard bearer and drummer figures. For those who prefer smaller units it is neccesary to add extra metal command sets. As I hope these images will show it is quite acceptable to use the slightly 'chunkier' Front Rank metal figures alongside the plastic Victrix Austrians. The FR figures have slighly larger shakos, but I dont find this too much of a problem, especially once painted.

What do you think?

I'd also like to ask if anyone happens to have a few (say 6) of the plastic Austrian Grenadier heads going spare at all? I have a spare Front Rank 'general' figure of Desnouettes (FNP16) with an S2 code horse (both unpainted) to offer in return? Link to the figure on the FR website HERE link

I think they are fine next to one another! I would use them mixed within a unit judging by your photos.

Cheers,

Burkhard

I can't tell the difference in sizes or style. As Burkhard said they look great together. Nice painting too. Maybe you could attribute the large shakos due to theirs being officers – better quality, etc. Dean

They look fine to me. Most won't even notice unless you point it out to them.

Off to Front Rank at Salute!

Tally Ho!

I can't believe you did such wonderful painting after draining all those wine bottles for their caps!

I never thought of doing using bottle caps for holding figures for painting. I use tongue depressor, two figures on each. For 15's I use craft sticks, much like the US Popsicle sticks when I was a youth.

I hope to move soon, so I might finish off the alcohol, and use the caps!!!!!

GdeP

Impressive. Completely compatible. Off to Front Rank at Salute for me too! :-)

If you want Front Rank Austrian Command at Salute may I recommend pre order, we do not take this range to shows, see website, will save you postage and time!!

Quote from site:
Due to space restrictions, we DO NOT take any stocks of the following items: – 40mm AWI and 28mm – JACOBITE, SYW, FIW, AWI, NAPOLEONIC AUSTRIANS, DUTCH BELGIUM, NASSAU, PORTUGUESE, RUSSIAN, SPANISH, and codes FN310 to FN328, FN348 to FN352 and FN357. VALLEJO PAINTS and PAINT BRUSHES -however all these items can be ordered in advance.

Although if ordered at show Alec will send post free.

All the best,

Mark.

I should add I'm a big fan of FR figures and would use them exclusively for my armies if I could, but economically its more viable for me to use the Victrix plastics for the bulk of my line units whilst using FR metals for all the cavalry, artillery and 'specials' such as Legere, Guard etc.

It's a shame the Victrix Landwehr and Grenadier heads are not available separately as all 4 boxes are the exact same body sprues with just the heads replaced on each sprue. I only want 16 grenadiers for example so its as cheap for me to go for FR metals, which will also provide more variation. Having said that I understand why Victrix have to follow that format commercially speaking and they are great figures.

Main thing is that the Victrix do match well with FR providing some variation in the plastic units. I think the image below also shows this, a FR general on the right and a Victrix plastic at left. (I added a grenadier hat to an outstretched arm, I like these simple plastic 'conversions' so easy to do in plastic). You can see the hands and head size is a very good match, as is basic body size and 'bulk'.

Could not wait until Salute!

Tally Ho!

Heres the completed unit, officer, drummer and standard bearer by Front Rank, rest by Victrix.

Great looking unit!