Here is my old write up (kinda long and detailed):
Lots of choices. Keep in mind that today's squad will soon grow to a platoon with a company not far behind.
With that in mind, I would suggest you select a range that you like and grow from there.
My own collection has the following:
Baker Company – The ARVN figures are a little poor.
West Wind – I know they are not beloved, however, they do fill the ranks.
London War Room – now called Jungle Rot – mainly SKS armed troops – they are smaller than BC/WW
TAG – M-16, VC/NVA other type rifles, RPG – I find the support weapons and AK-47 to large. They added ANZAC. Also if you deal with them directly, you can get custom packs at no extra charge. I just did this with the ANZAC's and was able to get all SRL and none of the support weapons
FOA – I have their ANZAC's and they match TAG is size and shape very well
I need to shorten their L1A1 barrels and add back packs to match TAG.
Battle Honors – I have some and find them too small to match.
Eureka – I've seen their ANZAC and NVA/VC in the flesh they are also too small to match.
Chiltern – Way to big – They don't match up with anyone.
Bottom line:
28mm – Baker Company, West Wind, TAG, FOA
25mm – Jungle Rot, Battle Honors, Eureka
My Vietnam collection is mainly West Wind, Baker Company, some TAG and very few London War Room
(now called Jungle Rot).
I want the weapons to match in scale more than the figures. I find the following match up good
enough for me:
M-16 – WW, BC, TAG
M-60 – WW, BC, FOA – TAG is way to big
M-79 – WW, BC, FOA, TAG, LWR – all a little off but not overly so.
L1A1 – FOA, TAG – Eureka way to small
AK-47 – WW, BC (the Magazines are a little off ww long and thin – BC short and wide) – TAG way to big and LWR way to small
SKS – WW, BC, LWR, TAG (largest of the four but still good)
RPG – WW, BC, TAG , LWR (need modification to the actual rocket – a little to fat).
RPD – WW, BC – TAG way to large and LWR way to small.
Older mixed weapons – BC, TAG – BC's local force VC is one of the best packs you can get.
Female VC – BC, LWR – I just had to include an squad – mostly SKS armed LWR and AK-47 BC with a few conversion.
Other ranges viewed and eliminated
Battle Honors – some troops could be included, however, not enough to make it cost effective. VC pack AK-47 1/2 size to WW
Eureka – viewed ANZAC only far too small
Chiltern – Ogre sized.
It would be (and for me is a mix). These ranges mix well and allow for a variety of poses.
Below is not the order I did it in, however, it is how I would do it knowing what I do today:
For the U.S.
1) Force of Arms – I have their ANZAC and they are the best.
2) TAG – Shotgun, M-16 and M-79 troops only – their M-60 is just too big to fit with any other makes.
– I have done custom order packs with TAG (from U.S. to U.K.)
3) Baker company.
4) WestWind – Good rank fillers and a very good source of gun crew figures.
5) Jungle Rot – Car-15
NVA
1) West Wind – also good source of gun crews.
2) Baker Company – I did quite a few head swaps to give them WW helmets.
NLF and local force VC
1) Baker Company – their VC pack is a must have – some Head swaps from WW
for better rice paddy hat.
2) WestWind – same on the gun crews.
3) Jungle rot – SKS armed troops and female VC.
4) TAG for VC only RPG's (no AK47 or RPD armed troops – weapons too large) – obsolete rifles and French SMG make for a great mix.
5) Force of Arms – I do not currently have any but based on my experience with their ANZACs
I would gladly recommend them.
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