"Size comparisons of several 28mm AWI mini. ranges" Topic

So this is certainly nothing that hasn't already been thoroughly explored and detailed on numerous gaming blogs.

However, I personally am expanding my AWI forces and am dealing with several different brands, and thought it would be helpful to gamers who may be getting into AWI for the first time and are wondering how the various ranges match up.

From what I had read and seen previously, the size differences seemed to be more drastic than I discovered them to actually be. Turns out the ranges are more compatible and closer than not.

I've got Perry plastics and metals, Wargames Foundry metals, and Warlord Games/Wargames Factory plastics.

The Warlord Games plastics are the tallest of the four ranges, and next to some of the Foundry metals and the Perry plastics are nearly a good head taller. However, as fortune would have it, the Warlord Games plastics are the only range that does not come with an integrated base molded to the model's feet.

So when basing all of these on 1/8 thick MDF, the Warlord Games appear to be slightly shorter because of the lack of the "raise" they would have gotten had they had integrated bases. And so that optical trick bring them quite nicely into line with the other ranges.

I was surprised to find that the Perry plastics are the smallest of all four ranges, in both height and in thickness. However, the differences in beefiness between the four ranges does not look too drastically different to not work. Men are different weights and heights and so the differences are actually an asset in a way.

The size of the heads of the four ranges were all very close and quite compatible.

The metal Perry and metal Foundry were the two closest ranges, coming in practically identical in height and proportion-wise.

I was very concerned that the differences between the ranges was going to be enough that I would be compelled to abandon one of more of them and buy more of the other ranges.

But it looks as though these can all be fielded on the same tabletop and it will work out pretty well.

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As far as I am concerned, EVERYTHING in the 25-28mm range can be fielded together on the same tabletop.
The differences are only apparent when you hold both in front of your nose.
Fortunately, we don't play games in front of our noses. We play them on a table, where the differences are much less apparent.

By the way, you're leaving out Eureka, Kings Mountain, Fife and Drum, Front Rank, Dixon…

The biggest difference is the Perry plastic figures have no arms!
But seriously, I think that the weapons make the biggest difference. Men can be different sizes but their muskets should be about the same length and heftiness.

John, don't you think he would have included them if he had them? He is being nice enough to show people comparison photos what he has.

@John the OFM,

Uhhhhh…I don't own any of those other AWI ranges because I didn't buy them. I'm simply reporting the size differences between the ranges I own. "Leaving out" is a rather weird way to put it.

I don't have the money or the desire to buy a pack of minis. from every single AWI range that's available! But please be my guest if you wish to do a size comparison of more ranges.

This is just trying to help any newcomers in case they were uncertain about how well these ranges could work together.

All these manufacturers are out of Nottingham. Two of the largest ranges in production from right here in the USA -- Brigade games and Old Glory should be considered?

Russ Dunaway

He is not comparing ALL AWI figures, he is comparing the figures that he HAS.

In am AWI American forces I have the following ranges:
Brigade Games, Eureka, Perry (plastic and metal), Old Glory first and second edition, Wargames Foundry.
These include Infantry, Artillery, and mounted officers.
I do not have any cavalry yet.

I like ALL of the ranges. Taken individually they all do are not appear 100% alike in size and height and proportion-wise.
However I have mixed various ranges in the same unit (regiment).
After painting and basing the different ranges in the same unit, they seem more compatible then not. (Not sure I have all ranges in the same unit though, but maybe close.
So I agree with conclusion reached by Baranovich.
"….it looks as though these can all be fielded on the same tabletop and it will work out pretty well."

Whenever a new range comes out, I make it a point to support them by buying at the very least, militia. You can never have too much militia.

Way back, I started a 100 Club petition with Eureka to produce "Ragged Continentals". I supplied suggested plates for reference. My only real stipulation was that they by "Perry compatible". And so they are.

Obviously, I am very much in favor of mixing figures from different manufacturers on the table at the same time. Sometimes within the same regiment.
My personal record for mixing manufacturers on the table is 16 for AWI and 23 for FIW. That's with no plastics.
I'm not counting "hybrids" from head swaps.

You'd be surprised what fits. My AWI British line are Perry plastic command with Hinchliffe ORs. I used to have a 25mm ACW collection that mixed OG2 and Perry and the OG2 figures could be converted with spare Perry hats. I'm using spare Perry hats to convert Hinchliffe figures too.

Mark has produced a fine comparison on his (regularly Tangoed) blog here:
link

The only figures I ditched were the Warlord Continentals because they towered over my old schoolers, otherwise all seems to work when viewed from table fightin' distance.

Thank you for posting this Baranovich. It is always interesting to see what different modelers think on how well the different figure lines mix together. Should you branch out into other of the fine companies that produce 28mm AWI figures I hope you will provide us with an update.

When it comes to mixing figures of different manufacturers my rule is usually "Its OK if they are in different units." When mixing within a unit I tend to be pickier, quite often on a figure by figure basis. People can vary in height and build. Equipment such as firearms, hats and cartridge boxes tend to be the same from man to man. Different manufacturer styles can also affect how well the figures mix.

Well, MY armies started with Jack Scruby 30mm, back in 1961. My Glover's Marblehead regiment has miniatures from at least four manufacturers, all based together: Scruby, Old Glory, Eureka, and another I don't remember and which may be out of business.

Probably 2/3 of my collection, which is about 2000 painted and another 1000+ taunting me, is Old Glory. Lots of cavalry from Perry, Fife and Drum, Eureka, and OG, and in that mix the Perrys are by far the chunkiest. To the point that I keep the Perry's by themselves; the others are mixed on stands for variety.

I have, iirc, 16 artillery pieces, each manned by 4 Hinchliffe gunners, purchased 35 or 40 years ago.

I will add, and to each his blue-eyed own, that I do not obsess over minor details. I think what we do NOT know so far outweighs what we do know, or think we do, that it all comes out in the wash. Certainly the kids who play with my toys rarely know or care about bastion lace.

Just got some Knuckleduster War of 1812 Frontier Militia figures yesterday. That's another manufacturer to add to my mix.
Half of them are useable as is, wearing slouch hats.
The rest wear top hats, but a razor saw and some Kings Mountain heads will fix that toot sweet.
They are compatible height wise with Perry, but are a bit more bulky. For those who care about such things, don't mix in the same unit with Fife and Drum, RSM or Old Glory 2. Those are slim.
I, however, do not care and will gladly mix them.
I have another order in for First Nations.

thanks for the size comparisons!
I'm just starting the AWI, have brigade games miniatures, but now I'll have to branch out to other manufactures sooner or later.

Just to round off, you might find this comparison from Scott McPhee's blog useful too:

link

And my own aforementioned mix:

link