"Figures to go with Tamiya 1/48 tanks" Topic

Well, and Hobby Boss. I have some Shermans and I'd like some infantry and tank crews for them. Now I have some Tamiya 1/48 scale figures but they're pretty limited. I'm also looking for some Germans. I'm tempted by Bolt Action but I know that 28mm is closer to 1/56th scale. So I'm looking for advice, if it matters I am in the US.

Well there are some firms that make figures specifically for 1/48. These includes Tumbling Dice and Scarab Miniatues. Corgi also did some figures to go with their 1/50 vehicles. Released boxed with a tank or as seperate sets, but they are OOP now, although still pop up on Ebay occassionally.

Its about personal preference but most would argue that 28mm looks perfect against 1/48 scale armour kits, especially because the 28mm figures are on a slightly raised base. The only downside to 28mm figures is that although they are a bees dick shorter, they are a lot chunkier. I have Warlord and Hasslefree minis and I use plastic 1/48 Armour kits, Tamiya, Bandai, Hobby Boss but I also use Warlords US Halftracks because there are nought others to be found and it looks OK because its in isolation. If you are a rivet counter then disregard this well meaning reply. BUT……
If you are unsure, buy yourself a few character blisters from various ranges and compare the sizes for yourself.

My Wargames Factory Germans are excatly the same size as my Tamiya Panzer Grenadiars. Given the Wargames have some "plump"ness to their gear, but overall I can't tell a differance.

Gothic Line did a few 1/48 infantry as well before switching to 28mm. Also forgot about Baueda's 1:48 Combat line. Just Russians and Germans for now and the figures are not cheap, but lovely models. There are more in the pipeline too. Finally Enemy Lines Miniatures do Brits and German Paras in 1/48 or 36mm they call it.
enemylinesminiatures.com

My Wargames Factory Germans are excatly the same size as my Tamiya Panzer Grenadiars. Given the Wargames have some "plump"ness to their gear, but overall I can't tell a differance.

Really?! Maybe you should get your eyes checked. :-) The Tamiya are slim figures with correctly proportioned heads and limbs and correct scale size weapons and kit. Compared to the WF, which are better than most to be fair, but still more "heroically" proportioned, they stick out like a sore thumb. I don't use the Tamiya infantry for that reason.

Victory Force will work well with 1/48 as they are on the larger side but well proportioned, they are US based too!

I use most any 28mm figures with my 1/48th scale tanks and other vehicles. I think 1/48th scale models fit with the figures much better than the 1/56th scale examples I've seen. Plus I enjoy building models. Some I know have argued that the models are too fragile. But I've been hauling mine around for nearly a year and have had just one rear view mirror knocked off. And that was fixed in seconds.
As for Tamiya figures being of the wrong size to go with other 28mm figures. I have this sort of discussion with friends quite often. Fortunately it's almost always at my favorite game store. I just walk over and stand next to one of my larger friends and ask if I'm in the same scale as they. That's why I don't mind mixing different makers figures. While most of mine are from Warlord, I have some from Old Glory, Black Tree, Tamiya, Artizan, etc…

Since Tamiya 1/48 figures are skinnier than the typical 28mm figures anyway, all 1/56 figures should work, like Company B's for instance: link

These Verlinden 1/48 ones should also work: auction

German tank crews are even more prevalent. Die Waffenkammer has some nice ones: link

And Verlinden also has a set in 1/48: auction

As for Tamiya figures being of the wrong size to go with other 28mm figures. I have this sort of discussion with friends quite often. Fortunately it's almost always at my favorite game store. I just walk over and stand next to one of my larger friends and ask if I'm in the same scale as they. That's why I don't mind mixing different makers figures. While most of mine are from Warlord, I have some from Old Glory, Black Tree, Tamiya, Artizan, etc…

Yeah I've heard that argument too, many times, and I still don't buy it. Sure it works for figures height, but most peoples heads are roughly the same size and things like Bren guns come in one size only. They don't give you an extra large Bren Gun just because you are 6' 6" tall and built like a brick outhouse. Same goes for mess tins, bayonets, packs, gasmask cases etc. That's where the problem lies. Not with the height it is the weapons and kit and things like size of head and hands that really make the Tamiya figures stick out when mixed with 28mm.

Try Victory Force. I find they fit right in between 28mm and 1/48 scale and mix well with both.

Thanks guys, you've given me a lot to consider.