"Suitability of BF Vietnam Troops for Cold War Europe?" Topic

Just curious to see what people think of the BF Americans for USAREUR forces in Europe?

Obviously, the time period and kit works for 1960s and early 1970s stuff, but I'd like to know a bit more about the infantry, e.g.:

1. how are the sculpts/poses;
2. I read in another posting that there were breakage and casting flash issues for some of the Vietnam troops, so wondered if that still applies (are they plastic figures?);
3. and, can you buy what you need, separately, e.g. by platoon, etc. for various forces?

Sadly, the selection of US, and other Cold War nations' troops for Western Europe, from the 1960s – mid-1980s is very limited in 15mm scale (far less than what can be found for WWII).

There are small packets of figs from various companies, but no real good sculpts, and/or comprehensive ranges to speak of, as far as I'm concerned, from any of the major players, which is discouraging.

Hopefully, a company or two will eventually help to change that, in the near future, since the "Cold War goes Hot" wave seems to be building.

Yea, thought of that.

Mako11, If you want to do scenarios prior to 1970 then the BF Americans are equipped with the wrong rifle. The M-14 was issued in Europe until 1970-1971.It was, of course replaced by the M-16.
As to figure quality I've avoided BF and gone with Flashpoint Miniatures. The early war USMC equipped with M-14's can easily be used for US Army Europe. and the troops from Flashpoint with M-16's fit right in. I find the quality of the castings to be terrific.
I believe that QRF is/or has a line of Brits and Germans for the period. And Khursan has Russians for the periods in the que. If you must have Russian now Eureka makes some pretty spectacular Ultra Modern Russians. The require some work to retro but its doable. And some of PP infantry can fit as well.

IIRC the uniform was different for Continental/European based troops, in that the trousers did not have the cargo pockets of the tropical uniform, and shirts were tucked in. I think with a little modification, they could be made to work. Also my impression of the Continental uniforms are that they were less baggy than the tropical uniform used in Vietnam.

Damon.

Thanks for all the info, and suggestions.

I was not aware of the Flashpoint range. M-14s would be nice.

You are correct that QRF has Germans, and a very good selection of nice looking figs. Just wish they had a few more, e.g. prone, running, casualties, etc.

They are working on Cold War British with SLRs, which should be almost ready for release.

Not sure if they are doing US, or Soviets. There were some discussions about a desire for East Germans too (definitely on my want list).

Yes, I'm aware of the pending Khurasan ones, but don't know when they'll be available.

Peter Pig makes some decent looking US Marines, which might work for cavalry troops too, with goggles on their helmets. Just wish they had more pose options available, and some Cold War Soviets/WARPAC to oppose them. They're definitely missing an opportunity there.

The BF troops for Vietnam look decent, though I'm not sure I'd want to do the mortar troopers as shirtless for Europe. Other than those, they might be useful.

Someone does make Brits for the Falklands in 15mm with all of the 80's equipment. I'm just having a senior moment and can't recall who. I've used Khurasan Syrians for a wide variety of Third World Countries. In a pinch they could be used as 1970's Russians. Also Irregular Miniatures make Russians who look like East Germans (again, in a pinch.)PP makes a very limited line of figures in Russian helmets.

Thanks for the info, Dennis.

MJ does make Falklands troops, though I've heard they are a little large compared to other figs, which may, or may not be small, depending upon the company, e.g. like Peter Pig's true 15mm figs.

Hadn't thought about using their Syrians, and/or Irregular's Russians (didn't know they made them).

How do the latter compare in size to other figs, like from Khurasan, QRF, PP, etc.?

I don't have any of the Irregular figures. I stumbled across them when I started looking for 1970-1980 Russian figures to use as Cubans. I ended up using Khurasan's Syrians and they worked out fine. I remember buying "Modern" Russians from Quality Castings back in the 80's when they were in Alexandria Va. Maybe someone still makes them? At any rate I'll buy at least a company's worth from Jon as soon as he releases those Russians.
BTW, if you need crew served weapons for your Russians, PP has a line that is just terrific.

Mako11,
Just found these. They are the ones I recall from the 80's . Can't really vouch for them now but they were accurate back then.

link

Thanks for the tips.

Those Irregular figs do look very East German-ish (NVA).

I used to only relate the NVA to Vietnam, until just recently.

I've heard the Quality Castings figs are a little small, e.g. probably about true 15mm-ish, based upon what I've read, so they might be a good match for the Peter Pig figures.

I also read the Sagger team was horrible, but don't have any first-hand knowledge of that.

The QC helmets for the Russians look a bit shallow to me (almost like early WWII British pan helmets), but perhaps they've had different types of kit that I'm unaware of over the years.

Most I've seen tend to look like slightly modern-ized Russian WWII, or old-style US helmets in the Cold War pics and film clips from the height of the freeze, e.g. 1970s, or so, give or take a decade.

Old Glory (UK) has just done some Falklands Brits

The greens for OG's Brits look really nice.

I owned the MJ ones a while back – lovely characterful sculpts, but damn huge. Thicker than plastic 20mm models, and at least shoulder height to them. I can't really think of another 15 or 18mm range that fits with them.

I looked on their website, but didn't see any pics, or info about them.