| Beeker | 24 Nov 2012 7:47 p.m. PST |
Curious to know what collectors of Essex's MM Italian Wars figures are using to fill some of the gaps in this range. Cheers!
Beeker |
| D6 Junkie | 24 Nov 2012 9:19 p.m. PST |
Hey Beeker,
I think that some of the gladiator 15mm figs
may work. At Black Hat minis now.
Mike |
| Oh Bugger | 25 Nov 2012 5:13 a.m. PST |
The infantry are easier to match than the cavalry in most cases. Even so they can tend to the gnomish. I agree with D6 Junkie. |
| Prince Alberts Revenge | 25 Nov 2012 1:20 p.m. PST |
As an avid collector of MM, a few years back I contacted Essex and they told me that one could still order the old figures, provided you know the codes (the catalog is on the MM Fan site on yahoo groups). Not sure if they still offer them now. |
| Vespasian28 | 25 Nov 2012 3:16 p.m. PST |
If you check out the re-vamped Essex site they have put a section up specifically for the Mike's Models figures still available. They make them to order so takes a bit longer than normal Essex but I got a load last year to bring my 1980's vintage Italian Wars armies up to FOGR standards. |
| Beeker | 25 Nov 2012 8:21 p.m. PST |
Thanks everyone. I'm looking for some of the swiss and medieval figs that the old Mike's Catalogue refer to and are no longer available through Essex. Black Hat looks promising – many thanks! How do MMs and Minifigs mix? Well enough.. not so much? |
| Mako11 | 25 Nov 2012 8:49 p.m. PST |
Not so much, since the Minifigs troops are taller and thinner than the Essex ones. I think Essex is probably your best match option. |
| madaxeman | 26 Nov 2012 9:17 a.m. PST |
I thought Essex were still selling the MM figures, but only on special order? Have you contacted them about specific figures and codes? |
| Beeker | 26 Nov 2012 10:27 a.m. PST |
Essex now sell MM Italian Wars from their website. However, the Italian Wars line (from the old 80's catalogues) was also augmented by several codes in the medeaval line which are now no longer available. |
| Vespasian28 | 26 Nov 2012 2:41 p.m. PST |
Much as I love them Mikes Models are smaller than most ranges these days, including Essex.
Does the madaxeman have any MM's vs other ranges on his site for size comparison? A very useful part of that site I might say. |
| madaxeman | 27 Nov 2012 4:07 p.m. PST |
link – just added some (bit blurry, but the height comparison is still OK) |
| Oh Bugger | 28 Nov 2012 6:41 a.m. PST |
Beeker having just recieved some Blackhat/Gladiator Italian Wars Spanish (very good figures) I've revised my opinion size wise you will do better with QRF. |
| madaxeman | 28 Nov 2012 2:47 p.m. PST |
I'd say QRF are probably the closest too. But less well nourished :-) |
| Beeker | 29 Nov 2012 9:53 a.m. PST |
Some of the QRF images show renaissance figures that are a bit more robust than the late l7th Century figures in the comparison photos. Anyone able to comment? Oh  – how do the Blackhat figures compare – too large / tall? Cheers!
Beeker |
| Oh Bugger | 29 Nov 2012 6:30 p.m. PST |
Blackhat are way too tall to match Mikes Models. In fact I will be mounting mine on a slightly thinner base to better fit with my QRF pike figures in my Spanish tercios. As madaxeman says the QRF figures are thinner than Mikes Models but the height is about right and that's probably as good as you can get. The cavaly though will be a better all round match. What figures are you looking for? |
| badlydressedhob | 04 Dec 2012 11:17 a.m. PST |
FWIW, the Mike's Models (MM) Italian Wars figures are on average slightly larger than the other (a few years older?) MM Renaissance ranges (eg. ECW/30YW etc). I think they were one of the last MM ranges to be released before Mikes Models was taken over by Essex when I believe the original proprietor sadly passed away. Many of the Italian Wars foot figs are certainly slightly less "stumpy" (though please note I'm not in any way criticising – I have a real fondness for these figures and own several hundred of them – very charming and full of character!). So, whilst it cannot be said for some of the MM Renaissance ranges, the Italian Wars figures match reasonably well with later Essex figures. Also, it may be worth looking at Tin Soldier's 15mm Medievals … although I am yet to try them out myself as my Renaissance armies have stalled of late, I have read one or two comments in the past by people saying they match pretty well… specifically the Swiss figs, codes MA45 – MA50: link Hope that helps! Best wishes. |
| badlydressedhob | 05 Dec 2012 4:26 a.m. PST |
A brief addendum if I may – just read a comment elsewhere on this board suggesting that Tin Soldier's Medievals are quite chunky… but also quite tall… So I guess without a proper direct comparison then maybe treat their mix and match potential with some caution and get a few samples first. |
