"25mm compatible with 1/72 scale?" Topic

I play 1/72 scale Napoleonics and keep seeing 25mm Napoleonics for sale on ebay in 25mm, in particular the Minifigs (plus other manufacturers). I was wondering if they would be compatible with 1/72 figures. I always was under the impression that 1/72 was 20mm, but I see some people refer to it as 25mm, hence my confusion. If anyone could shine some light on this and would also be helpful if anyone owns both scales and could show them side by side.

Thanks

No. They are incompatible. 1/72 are smaller and thinner. 25mm are far to big to field with them. "25mm" (which is not a scale) are 1/56 scale or thereabouts depending on the manufacturer.

There are several 1/72 or 20mm metal Napoleonic ranges out there that fit in well with the plastics. Modern 25mm (28mm really) definitely don't go well with 1/72, the size difference is just too great. You might possibly get away with really old smaller 25mm but check on a case by case basis.

Even the oldest and smallest 25mm minis should scale out to 1/64 scale.

Save your money!

Scruby/Historifigs 25mm are closely compatible with 1/72 figures like Airfix plastics; Scruby 20mm are more nearly 1/87 or HO scale figures and noticeably smaller than the 25s.

I have played a lot of games in past where 1/72nd scale and old Minifig 25mm figures took the field with and against each other. It's ok to look at but it is the game that's important and the fun times with friends.

Oh. Did I mention the beer?

Enjoy.

Ral Partha 25mm figs will be closer to 1/72. Waterloo 1815 fit pretty closely in 1/72 to them. Minifigs are larger.

Have mixed Airfix plastics and Minifigs for years.
Minifigs Infantry is approx 22 mm from bottom of boot to eyeline.
S&S and Foundry are closer to 25mm.
But once on the table and formed into seperate units the size difference is not really noticeable.
The social interaction with the gaming is the most important part of this hobby IMHO.

I used to use Warrior 25s with Airfix and Eaci with the same attitude as Cavcmdr and Boofer. To complete the heresy, my artillery crews were Minifigs and Hinchliffe.

Obviously, not mixed in the same units. That would be madness…..

Now I avoid the social interaction but my Warriors happily sit in boxes alongside Hat 28mm plastics.

Obviously, not mixed in the same units. That would be madness…..

The whole trouble…old days…was how plastic 1/72 would differ.

Airfix Germans WWI were big chunky guys, British, from same conflict (US too) were so puny. French somewhere in between.

But Napoleonic….the cuirassiers were midgets next to the Hussars. The cuirassiers were some of the smallest Airfix ever made…..like the original Combat Group of very early 1960s.

Go to modern German metal 1/72 figures. Do not economise of the miniature if you invest any time at all in painting

Newline 20mm are compatible with Airfix. But what Deadhead says is absolutely correct. If you're going to sink hours into painting you want the subject figure to be worth it. There's a reason Michaelangelo didn't paint on the sides of buildings.

If done in sufficient numbers 1/72/20mm can be mixed with old school 25mm – the small differences can be lost in the throng if you have enough. The trick is not to put very small next to very big.

As a rough rule, plastic and metal figures can be arrayed from small to large as follows:

Atlantic, NewLine, RSM, Der Kriegspeiler, Airfix, Esci, Revell, Legio, 1st generation Italeri, W1815, Hat, Franznap, Hinton Hunt, Alberken, Scruby, Kennington, Douglas, CTA, Emhar, Strelets, Imex, NapoleoN, Falcata, Garrison, Qualicast, Art Miniaturen, Schilling, 2nd Generation Italeri, Zvezda, Hagen, Les Higgins, Lamming and, at a push, Minifigs S Range. Many of these are out of production.

There are plenty of other manufacturers that made or make smaller ranges. It's all about personal preference and I wouldn't go larger than S Range – certainly the later Minifigs and Hinchliffe '25mms' are too big and too troll like for my taste. Anything that reaches 28mm are far too large.

My favourite metal is Franznap, blends very well with modern plastics. Minifigs tend to be a bit chunky IMHO, but at the end of the day, if you like them, then go for it