"10mm" Topic

Anyone care to comment on Pithead mini's vs Pendraken? Which do you prefer?

Also, how would 10mm using IABSM on a 8'x4' table look? Do you think that would allow room for maneuvering?

Appreciate any comments

In the short term Pithead are in lockdown and Pendraken are offering a service.

When I got began my WWII North Africa tank game, I looked at 15mm (1/100) first, then 10/12mm (1/144, 1/150, 1/160) and even 1/285 (6mm).

With 9 tanks per side (3 players with 3 tanks each), 15mm filled the table quickly, especially if only 4 ft wide. 1/285 was too small for my eyes.

So the winner was 10/12mm. Tanks were large enough for good detail while being small enough to have room to maneuver.

I looked at the various 10/12mm manufacturers -- Pithead, Pendraken, Perrin, Lancer, Minifigs, Panzer Depot, World Tank, Arrowhead and it came down to Pithead or Pendraken. Although Pendraken's tanks have more detail, I chose Pithead, mainly for size, price and selection.

Now mfr's will say differently, but Pithead are 1/150 scale and match up closely with 1/144 models. Pendraken says they're 1/150 but they're definitely smaller than Pithead so I put them at 1/160 (Leon will disagree). Again your eyes may see differently.

For some comparison photos, go to:
link

For a review of Mfrs (from 2015 though):
link

Side note: Pithead no longer has a website, relying now on their Facebook page. You have to email Phil for a product/price list. Phil says photos of the vehicles are on the FB page or he can send you photos if needed. He has also mentioned that due to Covid19, he cannot ship at the moment.

That's my 2 cents…or 2 pence.

I have some 6mm GHQ that I painted up for some North Africa fun and while GHQ armor is so nicely detailed, I just cannot get over how small they are. I just might sell them, or keep them for smaller engagements.

I think a 8'x4' table will be plenty of room for a 10mm company+ level game.

I do like the look of the Pendraken stuff over Pithead (from what I've seen on their thanks).

I've been a fan of Pendraken 10mm for a long time. Great minis and great company.

Excellent rundown Schogun. I would only differ on the New Millennium stuff. Though sizes tended to vary some I would put the line closer to 1/150th. Best part was used to get them at Walmart for a little over a buck a model.

Most of the Japanese "blind" kits were opened for the US market so could buy WTM, and others, by specific model. Paint jobs were very nice saving a lot of work. Now, alas, most of the really useful models are way over priced.

Anyone have any comments on Butler's Printed Models? The pictures look nice.

I agree with the above.

@captaincold69 -- I just ordered 10/12mm FT-17 tanks and British Universal Carriers from Butler. They're on the way. I will report after receipt.

(Note: I would have ordered these from Pithead but I didn't know when I'd receive them. But then, when will I get the chance to game with them with friends anyway? Oh well.)

If you guys haven't seen the imminent 12mm stuff from Victrix, you should head to their Facebook page. It is going to be a killer range.

And I say this as a man who has several hundred World Tank Musdum and New Millennium models. This is the year of 1/144. The Victrix infantry is the best over ever seen

I don't see any prices? If these aren't overpriced I'll wait since I can't start any gaming until the end of the year.

Cap'n,

I have boatloads of Pendraken and Minifigs WWII and Modern troops, love them. I've sold as much as I've got and keep buying more, seems I'm addicted ;) They work really well, in my opinion, for company- and battalion-sized operations where one stand= one squad/vehicle on a 6' x 4' table.

Nice looking engagement ranges, in my opinion, don't have troops stacked on top of each other. I play a lot of under strength company-sized games on 3' x 3', but here are some under strength battalion-sized games using IABSM:
link

Let me know if there's anything I can help you with.

V/R,
Jack

I chose 1/144 as its a good compromise. significantly smaller than 15mm, true scale and an 8ft by 4ft can get a company battle group with tanks and IFV's at realistic spacing and give room for sensible FDF, etc. We for Choice play on 6 by 4 ft for that extra space. 6mm was too small for the games I play and in many cases use the same ground scale.

I now mainly use AOTRS Shipyards vehicles that are 3D printed. They are Wargames models not for war painters. They match well with the injection molded CAN DO and World Tank Museum models, being indistinguishable at war game viewing ranges. For me the other advantage is they have Key locked turrets so the turrets don't fall off while still allowing movement like on the real thing.

Figure wise I use my own 3D printed "true scale" models that lack detail as they are far closer to the real size models with exaggerated detail. But Pendraken are better than many, Minifigs can be massively out of scale, I have some real Doozies from them, but they are an old range.

After quite a bit of research, I think I'm going the resin 3D printer route. I know it will take some time for me to dial things in, but from what I've seen online, the detail on 10mm 3d resin printed models are better than Pithead/Pendraken.

However, I'll buy Pendraken infantry :)

FWIW I tried the resin route for 15mm and smaller infantry and gave up. I still print my vehicles but just bought Victrix WWII Germans and US infantry. Less hassle and quicker satisfaction.

@ Just Jack

Curious what your infantry base size is?