"FoW Metal vs Plastic" Topic

Having always been a fan of metal over plastic, I was disappointed by the quality of the FoW metals that were on offer. Now, with the introduction of Battlefronts wonderful plastic figures, I have completely gone against the grain and started my WW2 collection with plastic. However, I appreciate that it could be a while before more plastic sets are introduced (e.g. Pacific / North Africa theatres). According to some threads on this site, I believe that Battlefront has gone through good and bad periods and has actually produced some really good metal figures, from time to time. Firstly, can anyone direct me to these better metal sets? And, secondly, are these 'good' figures on a par with the new plastics which really do, at least in my opinion, set the standard for 15mm quality? Metal lovers (like me!) please try to be as objective as possible in your assessment of my options. Many thanks.

The new plastic infantry are excpetional, but then so was the metal they did back in the day. The ranges that I get all misty eyed for were the second generation US (first gen mind you were pre FoW), first gen US Paratroopers, the Festung Company box set and the DAK that came out with Desert Fox.

Are they as good or better than the plastics? That, like all questions along these lines, depends on how good the painter is.

Battlefront make decent enough plastic vehicles, but they're still playing catch up with PSC. At the price point BF asks for their plastics, I would expect something pretty darn good. Yet to see it frankly.

I can also vouch for the US Paras. I had a command group and they were some of the best 15mm figures I've seen.

I think BF metal ficurges have improved a lot, though they did seem on the worng track a while back. That shifted for me about two years ago when they came out with their Giebersjagers.

I'm really pleased with my new metal BF WW1 German infantry and gunners…but I would prefer plastic if I could get what I want in it.

Cheers, VB

The most recent BF releases have been very, very good.

Anything released around 2008-2010, though, is pretty hit and miss.

And anything released before 2008 is also pretty good.

Thanks for the responses guys – I might add some PSC stuff (especially vehicles) and then, depending on what lines of plastics are released in the near future, try a few of the smaller packs of Battlefront's recent metals as a comparison.

That second batch of US infantry was pretty horrible. I haven't seen the new ones though.

I got tempted into 15mm by the new wave of plastics. Battlefront's plastic figures have the best detail and variety of poses compared to Plastic Soldier Company which have less sharp detailing and less animated poses.

That said I use both manufacturers and being plastic they are very easy to convert. I think they mix together well and look good with the metals I have.

The only complaint with Battlefront's plastic Germans is that some of the plain steel helmets are poorly sculpted and look comical (far too small for the heads). This only effects a of few the figures in the pack so I just swapped them with some from the metal head sprue that Battlefront sell, makes a massive difference in appearance and really helps them blend in with the metals.