"AB FIGURES SIZE ISSUES" Topic

@Flats' has got to be just about my favourite board on TMP

Another great post, Steve …

Phil

Harry,

First, be aware that there was some overlap between the BH and AB (now generally referred to as Eureka) ranges. The original BH French – and Peninsula British – figures look small next to their AB counterparts, which were also the first releases by that company, along with Austrians (who also exhibit the same phenomenon, with some infantry looking taller and chunkier than others). The last BH range Tony Barton did were the Spanish, and they are virtually identical, both in size and pose, to the much later AB Spanish.

Second, there were later additions to the AB French as the other nations' ranges were coming out, not least because the infantry in bicorne actually represent two overlapping periods – the 1798-1804 campaigns, and the 1805-1808 campaigns where the troops had begun to receive things like greatcoats. Hence there will be a small element of "scale creep" across the French range; however, I have most of the different figure codes for the French in bicornes and have never found it a problem. Men come in different sizes, of course, and the key issue for compatibility is the kit, principally muskets and other weapons, which should all be the same size and sculpting style.

Third, do be aware that some BH and some AB poses can look so similar that only the manufacturers can spot them, the differences are so subtle. This is why it is important to buy from reputable sources so that you don't get BH figures instead of AB (whether deliberately, or otherwise). I'm guessing you bought the BH figures from Timecast, yes?

Once painted, it is possible to have some BH and AB in similar poses mixed in the same units without them looking horrendously out of sync. I would have thought you would be unlikely to mix marching and loading figures that closely together for it to be an issue.

Thanks SM, but my whole order is from Fighting 15`s. Incidently, how have you seen my post ? When i did it i had problems and there`s a totally different post with my name on it at the moment when i look. Thankfully you`ve replied to my original question.

Just been checking the figures again and found another difference. The `march attack` figures bayonets are joined differently to the muskets and are far more solid. All the other poses bayonet/musket joints are thinner and weaker.

There's quite a bit of scale creep within the AB Imperial French range, the skirmishers in greatcoats being smaller than the other skirmishers. However, they are all such lovely figures that it doesn't bother me.

I also have some Minifigs and they generally fall between the extremes of the AB figures so I'm happy to have them on the table but in different units. However I may eventually replace the Minifigs with AB.

Harry,

Yes, there's some bizarre time-warp/Doctor Who thing goes on with TMP from time to time. If only it came with Amy Pond thrown in, it would be more than bearable…..

OK, ifyou bought from Fighting 15s then you bought genuine ABs (now Eureka – strictly speaking, I think "AB" now only applies to the 20mm WW2 figures). If you get enough variants of the same figure, you will find that some of them look smaller, especially in the first AB ranges (French and Austrian). For example, one of the Imperial Guard Chasseur a Cheval troopers is BH-size, and stands out from the others. I challeneged it when I first saw him, but it really is an AB figure.

Also, be very careful of buying ABs on eBay – there are a lot of pirated versions around, which are difficult to spot in photos, but as soon as you get them in your hand you can see they are shorter and slimmer. There was also a brief period – long ago, before Eureka took over the range – when the moulds were not replaced in a timely fashion and some poor quality casts were sold (again, I repeat, this was not a Eureka/Fighting 15s problem and was some years ago).

18mm AB are still AB, Eureka has the production and distribution rights but does not own the brand. My understanding is that Nic talked Barton into taking over production so that he could concentrate on sculpting. Before this arrangement, it looked like Anthony Barton was not going to release any more in Napoleonics. The arrangement seems to be mutually beneficial but my understanding is that the AB line was NOT sold out, the production and distribution moved to Eureka Australia but Barton still owns the line.

Eureka also made an 18mm AB compatible range at the point Mr Barton wasn't making any more. Do they still make those ?

AncientsGamer – I'm not sure of the details of the Eureka deal but Mr Barton gets royalties on every figure sold. He has over the last couple of years begun to do a little Napoleonic sculpting again – things like the French cuirassier casualty pack, and the 100 Days figures.

Green Tiger – yes they do – under the Eureka 18mm label – Fighting 15s sell them in the UK. 1812-15 French and British + Saxons from 1806. Not quite as sweet as AB but still pretty good.

Eureka also made an 18mm AB compatible range at the point Mr Barton wasn't making any more. Do they still make those ?

Sure do. I suggest ordering from Eureka USA if you're in the states, the Oz$ is still very strong.

I think I'm going to need to add another 300 club request, for some Highland Light Infantry in trews and bonnet compatible with AB's minis.

Not to forget the wonderfull Austrians of the French Revolution – so thanks to Eureka AB is still active, I hope to see some more figures in the future.

von Winterfeldt – my issue with Revolutionary Austrians was that they looked just like the old AB figures from years ago when I saw them at Salute. I didn't have an old figure to compare sizes and possibly AB was re-sculpting them because of new research or issues with the old moulds. So, very nice figures but not rocking my world as new sculpts…

They are indeed new sculpts and in many way different to the old BH Austrian Revolutionaries, like Hussars, Dragoons, staff – so for me indeed rocking, now I am waiting for the French.