"Best in Class 15mm WW2 miniatures " Topic

I have bought any yet but I want to. What maker has the nicest 15mm WW2 miniatures? Inevitably someone might ask, what do you mean by best?

Anatomy, detail, quality of castings, diversity of selection. A maker might make handsome models but if the metal is brittle, it can ruin the effect. Or, everything might be good except the oversized hands.Perhaps, the model is too soft and prone to bending. Too little detail, too much detail. The list goes on and no miniature is perfect; I am striving for excellence here.

I am interested in that sweet spot where the miniature inspires wargaming. For instance, I dont like the Russians that much but really well done miniatures will get me excited to game them.

Are you stuck on 15mm?

No but I wanted to try some 15mm.

What else ya got? :)

Peter Pig are very nice.

I love the Essex range

If I was doing that near a scale again, i'd be sorely tempted by AB miniatures, they are nearer 1/72 scale. Tony Barton is one of the best sculptors around.(if not the best…)

link

Dave, those are very, very nice. Do they go with say FOW Battlefront 15mm vehicles or is there a series of 20mm vehicles out there?

The Peter Pig minis are nice too. However, I dont know that i like that set with explosive rigged dogs…

I've got Peter Pig, Old Glory (Command Decision), Battlefront, Essex and Forged in Battle figures in my collection.

Overall, I'm happiest with Peter Pig. Vast range of nations and figures, and packaged conveniently in packs of eight. (Although PP also sell platoon and company packs at a discount, if you're seeking to rapidly build a force).
They're also very nicely and cleanly sculpted, although some have complained about the fact that every figure has an open mouth and is shouting. Once they are painted, you never, ever notice that.

My Battlefront are older figures, back when they were metal. I haven't bought the newer plastic figures, but they seem a bit softer and less crisp than the metal ones. I imagine though, once they are painted up, they will look great. Anyway, they are my second choice of figures. They mix with the Peter Pig ones, although the bases are rather thick. They are sold in prepackaged unit packs though, which can be annoying if you don't play FoW. I bought some Russian and German infantry platoons blisters second hand for a great price, then bought Peter Pig figures to fill out the support units, like pioneers, medics or Germans Eating Lunch.

Did the same thing with the Command Decision figures for German fallschirmjager. Big bags o' figures, very inexpensive, but I thought they were a trifle thin and the detail wasn't exaggerated, which I tend to like for ease of painting and seeing! Once more, bought PP to fill out the gaps.

Bought a mix of Forged in Battle and PP for my French. They mix well, although once more my preference leans towards the Peter Pig ones. Still, I've found that after painting the figures, such minor quibbles in detail or sculpting just disappear.

That said, the PP figures have nicely raised detail, quite proportional and are made from quality metal, something paint can't really correct! The guns – on both the infantry and the tanks – are often slightly oversized and thicker quite deliberately to avoid the broken barrel syndrome.

Just my two cents.

It's a shame PP don't do platoon packs anymore.

They don't? That is a shame. I haven't bought from them in awhile. I see the WW2 company "black boxes" also seem to have disappeared, although some other ranges still have army deals.

Peter Pig is my preference. But I also like Eureka Miniatures and Forged in Battle too.

MiniPigs…..no, they don't match at all with 15mm……there are lines of 1/72-20mm vehicles out there, resin and of course Airfix etc plastic models.

MiniPigs: I'll compile a bit of a list for you if you like

And I see you've discovered the 20mm WWII board…anyway:

Some thoughts on 20mm…1/72 or 1/76 scale:
‎
TMP link

airfix.com/uk-en

link

(above shop also has 1/72)

20mmgamer.blogspot.ca/?m=1

admachina.wordpress.com

The last is an excellent resource.

If you Google "20mm WWII gaming blogs" you'll get more.

Peter Pig

Just for context…..I started in 15mm because of the cost and availability….I also have a crapload of 10mm (1/160…all Perrin miniatures) and also 25/28mm (1/48-1/56). I do WWII air (1/285-30 and 1/144), and a bit of naval…(1/600 short sea, etc.

So, if you are considering 20mm-1/72/76, this is a good blog:

link

Battlefront – their new plastic vehicles and guns are miles ahead of anything else.

Their lead figures are also the best, but you do have to be careful with this. The figures are all sold in 'platoon' blisters which really only suit the FOW rules system and not much else. And they do have some very dud ranges – most of their early war ranges fall into this category, sadly – the Libyan infantry being a most welcome exception to the rule. The plastic German infantry was a bit of a disappointment as well. The plastic US infantry company was surprisingly good.

However, I also like the Plastic soldier stuff as well, but I don't think it as good as Battlefront.

Peter Pig ruined their stuff for years by giving everybody the same facial expression, which seems to now no longer be their policy – but in terms of size, pose and durability they are second to none.