"New Sudan Project: 15mm or 20mm?" Topic

I'm going to attempt to recreate Peter Gilder's campaign in the Sudan. Blue Moon 15mm or Newline 20mm. Any thoughts?
I'm haven't seen the sculpts in the flesh so recommendations please.
Thanks

I'll preface this by admitting I've not seen either range in hand. With that said, I'd lean a little to 20mm, if only because I like the slightly larger size. The Newline figures look quite good and would, I think, be fun to paint. If you go the 20mm route, take a look at the old Jacklex and Raventhorpe ranges as well; the first is carried by Spencer Smith, the second by RLBPS.

In the 18mm camp would be greater ease of finding terrain and buildings, etc., along with the reduced cost. So it's really a toss up.

Going into full nerd gear here: one thing that bothers me about both ranges is the lack of head variations – both are composed almost entirely of turban wearing ansar, with the occasional skullcap, whereas in most photos and illustrations I've seen, large numbers of the Dervishes actually fought bare/shaven headed. It may be a small thing, but this always bothers me. I'd also question Newline's decision to have an entire pack of ansar wearing the Saracen-style helmets. Not sure this really happened on the field.

Right, pedant's hat off. Good luck with your project!

Neglected to mention that in 20mm you could also look at plastics. I think HaT makes some. There are also these in metal, which look very nice, though I know nothing about the manufacturer or availability:

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I limit my choices to two scales so that all my terrain can do double or triple duty. So for me everything is either 6mm or 15mm.

Frankly to my eye the difference between 15 and 20 is pretty negligible. If those were my options I'd go on price.

The costs are about the same at present with Newline's Christmas sale. Blue moons range is more complete but The Newline style is more in keeping with the Gilder one. I was interested in the casting clarity but all input is gladly received.

Are you going to concentrate on the early campaigns or the reconquest? Or do it all? If you're going to concentrate on the 1884-1885 period, I urge you to consider Peter Pig miniatures and Crescent Root buildings. If you're definitely choosing Blue Moon or Newline then I would take a look at what scenery and accessories are available in both scales to support your project.

I'm really concentrating on the race to relieve Gordon.

Rags, looks as though Crescent Root has discontinued their 15mm Middle Eastern stuff. Shame.

Go with Old Glory/Blue Moon with an Army Card (if you don't have one) to get 40% off. And maybe get a couple of their river boats if it fits with your games – though those aren't Blue Moon (that I know of) but from OG25. Great service, too. They are not 20 mm! But they are big 15s – or 18s if you prefer. I doubt you'll get better variety of poses.

Holy smokes, Daryl! I can't believe it. I just checked Crescent Roots site. How disappointing. Mark's 15mm Middle East buildings were so great. What a shame.

Also in 15mm:

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Also in 15mm:

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I couldn't agree more, Wayne. I hate to see things like this!

Stone Mountain are good and would work with another option, Peter Pig – but both are smaller 15 mm figures, or closer to 'true' 15 mm.

15mm beats 20mm when it comes to storage, and especially storage of terrain.

My 1/72 Sudan army is mostly plastics, with a few metal figures thrown in. I'd choose the scale you already have terrain for.

It's a new project in a new scale as I normally do 28mm. The more I think about it the more I lean towards Blue Moon. There are some obvious gaps in the Newline range that mean I couldn't finish the project in the foreseeable future.

I'll throw a spanner into the works and say have you looked at Pendraken 10mm? They are great

Take a look at the Blue Moon 15mm range before you make a decision. They have an incredible variety of figures with multiple poses in each pack.