"Best Figures in 20mm for 21st Panzer's Grenadiers " Topic

I have been planning on doing some of 21st Panzer's Grenadiers and vehicles in 20mm for the TFL's von Luck pint-sized campaign.

I have a nice selection of vehicles and bought a number of ABs Heer figures (about 2/3 in zeltbahn for the Grenadiers. But after reading this thread TMP link I am thinking I should reconsider. Can I mix in some of the lovely new Adler Panzer Lehr Grenadiers? Should I use some of the AB SS in smocks (even if they don't have a hood)? Are there other manufacturers that I am missing who would fit with the ABs I have?

Thanks in advance for any advice from the group.

Also have a look at Battlefield Miniartures "Battle for the Hedgerows" range. I think they go well size wise with AB.

21st Pzgren uniform is always something thats being discussed and the general view ( ducks) is that they wore the HEER issue late smocks ( with hood). Just not that many pics to get an overall view add that those that are taken in Normandy often seem to have Luftwaffe field div types around and its a bit confusing.
In theory they would be entitled to wear the Lehr style uniform but Ive never seen a pic of them doing so. I'm working on some figures in the HEER smock for the Pzschreck and sniper teams for the Lehr range. Am thinking of doing a range of Pzgren in the smock but not sure theres a market for them.
L

Can always look at Wartime Miniatures who are bringing some out. They look the part and universal with others.

I collect 60mm, 20mm and 6mm minis, and I would have to say (IMO), "Hands down, AB has the best 20mm sculpts." I think they work well with Dragon Armor and Hobby Master vehicles, which come assembled and painted.

A couple of earlier threads.

TMP link

TMP link

Thanks for all the replies!

rct -- thanks for the Battlefield/Blitz reminder… I had forgotten about them and I see they have a number of figures in smocks.

Leon -- thanks for insights. I guess my problem was that I looking for figures with the Heer smock in metal and could not find any until rct reminded me about the Blitz figures. I know Valiant does some in plastic but not sure how they would fit with my other WWII which are all ABs. I know I want to do some Panzer Lehr as well.

Ben--I agree that AB are the best and while it is nice range, there are some gaps like troops in hooded smocks (lots of SS in smocks) and maybe separate LMG teams to add to some of their other troops to make Panzergrenadiers (2 LMGs per squad).

wrgmr1--Thanks for the links. I had seen both but neither addressed the figures issue well except, IIRC, a brief mention of Valiant (I went to their site and saw they have a nice von Luck command group in metal). The first link is the one I tried to paste into my post.

Thanks again for all of the help!

I just noticed that Battlefield also makes Luftwaffe Field Division troops, I assume in their longer smock… does anyone think it would be out of line to mix a few in a 21st Panzer Dic PG platoon? They seem to have received some formal deliveries of kit from their Luftwaffe colleagues.

Given the number of old lags in 21st I bet some of their 'deliveries' were less than formal lol
Given the wear and tear going on in Normandy and the poor supply reckon troops would get what they needed to stay warm and dry by whatever means. Paperwork and Gendarmarie tend to be less in evidence the closer you get to the actual shooting.
L

Custos, AB do make separate LMG teams.

I know that during the shuffling around, re-releasing old figures, redoing old molds, new figures sculpted, etc… a set of 6 LMG figures, 3 gun teams per pack.

Even thought they are not on the website you might ask Eureka or Eureka US if they have any on hand.

Also, I believe Piers Brand put up a photo on TMP of some of Leon's new figures alongside AB figures and they were pretty close matches. I use Battlefield/Blitz alongside my AB and if you aren't sharp eyed you wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

Best of luck!
Dan

Leon -- Thanks for the observations… it gives me a lot of latitude!

Dan--Thanks for letting me know about the LMG pack… I will need to ask Rob of Eureka USA about them. I appreciate your comments on compatibility between Adler, Battlefield/Blitz, and AB. Now that you mention it, I seem to recall that post by Piers Brand from last year. I'll be mixing all of them together I suspect for this project!

I used Pegauses plastics (the SS packs are in cammo smocks but with jack boots – conforms to pictures of 21st Panzer PGs but I sure uniforms varied as the campaign wore on).

TomT

Well just to say the Heer smock and Waffen SS versions are not the smame thing, any noticable difference on the wargames table? Almost certainly not after painting in the camo anyhow.
Just one of those 'if it matters to you' things.
L

I'm looking at the same TFL mini-campaign but in 28mm. I'm having trouble comparing the photos on web sites with what I read in this thread and elsewhere. Do any of the experts here have first-hand experience in 28mm? Warlord? The Assault Group? TIA

Not a fan of 28mm so cant offer any advice.
L

I sculpted hoods onto the smocks from the Battlefield SS Hedgerow range for some late war Ardennes winter smocks. Nothing stopping you from doing the same to any of the other smock-clad 20mm ranges out there (in fact I just ordered some more AB SS – as if I needed more! – to do just that to finish up the platoon). Most Heer smocks I've seen are the Sumpfmuster pattern, or Tan and Water, though some Splinter pattern smocks were made (this pattern was more commonly seen on the reversible winter parka). Also, some troops tucked the hood into the smock, so some with and some without hoods would not be uncommon.

~iPaint