Blackhorse MP | 16 May 2021 4:49 p.m. PST |
Was recently reading some AAR's from CoC games and I'm thinking I might want to try it out. I'd like to do it in 20mm/HO scale. I know the cheapest way to just jump in would be to get a box or two of any of the HO scale soft plastic (Airfix type) figures, but seeing how a relatively small number of figures are required I think that I could easily field both sides for a game in metal without breaking the bank. I haven't played WW2 in 20mm/HO since the early 80's when some unscrupulous individual(s) broke into my buddy's house where we kept all our wargaming stuff and cleaned us out. We rebuilt, but in 15mm. So I'm not up on the latest and greatest in 20mm. I know we could do it in 15mm, but I'd rather do it with the larger figures for a skirmish level game. I currently use my 15mm stuff with Spearhead, which as I'm sure most of you know is at the opposite end of the spectrum. I'd be most interested in Americans, Russians and Germans. Any information or opinions you would care to pass on would be greatly appreciated. TIA. |
ccmatty | 16 May 2021 5:03 p.m. PST |
I highly recommend AB miniatures for 20mm. They are metal but I believe superbly sculpted and a variety of different poses. They make everything you need for American and German infantry. Eurekaminusa.com is an American stockist. Elheim miniatures (in the UK) makes lovely 20mm WWII as well- in particular US paratroopers. I believe that syrhobbswargames.com stocks them in the US. I think these are two good places to start. |
Gunner Dunbar | 16 May 2021 5:21 p.m. PST |
when thinking of plastic figures, things have changed immensely since your experience from the 80s, you'll find that the variety and quality of plastic figures has come a long way, check the link below, PSR has a review on the vast majority of past and present plastic sets. As far as metal goes, I second ccmatty's recommendation, AB are the best available, and Xan are nice, for early war French Simon Soldiers are the go to. It really depends on what period you want to do. link |
Blackhorse MP | 16 May 2021 6:08 p.m. PST |
CC, just checked out AB and they're terrific. Also tried to check out Elhiem but the syr hobbs website had no pics. Guess I can Duck Duck Go* them when I have more time. GD, believe me I'm up to speed on the plastic side of things; I go to PSR on a regular basis. I'll check out your suggestions when I get more time. Thanks for the help guys. * An alternative to Google |
TacticalPainter01 | 16 May 2021 8:58 p.m. PST |
I play CoC in 20mm and mainly use AB Figures but also some others. You can see a lot of them here if you want more information and detail Second World War in 20mm |
7dot62mm | 16 May 2021 9:20 p.m. PST |
Also check TQD, SHQ, Plana Mayor, Under Fire Miniatures and FAA (Figures Armour Artillery). |
genew492 | 16 May 2021 9:36 p.m. PST |
Elheim UK has some pictures. Adler, SHQ,Grubby Tanks, Early War Miniatures, 1/72scale.com and Sgts Mess all have 20 mm but are Uk based. Figures,Armor, Artillery (FAA) is US based. My CoC 20mm troops are 95% AB. Advantages include: US Store and Shipping. Excellent service from Rob. A good variety of infantry and support troops. (Of course we all clamor for more) Come in Squad, section packs. Prone/kneeling packs available which is good to provide the extra crew members required by CoC. i.e. a medium machine gun comes with 2/3 crew members and 5 crew are needed for CoC. You were correct in your initial assessment that AB figures in the numbers you want to begin with are a good way to go. |
BillyNM | 17 May 2021 5:46 a.m. PST |
Blackhorse I assume you've been reading The Tactical Painter's AARs on his blog – if not you must as they are inspirational and educational in terms of playing the rules. He also features many figure comparisons on his site but clearly considers (as most do) that AB are the Gold Standard for WW2 20mm. Most of my figures *Brits and Germans) are FAA which are nice but not as good – I have been thinking or branching out to US and doing them with AB as for some reason the FAA US figures don't seem as good to me. |
genew492 | 17 May 2021 6:55 a.m. PST |
BillyNM I have FAA figures that I like ie early war and Burma. I bought the Burma figures recently and think they are well done. I wanted them to complement my AB in tropical uniform particularly the mules and handlers. Unfortunately they do not match up well size wise. The early war FAA match up well with SHQ and Early War Miniatures. Early war is my only non AB theater of operations. |
Blackhorse MP | 17 May 2021 7:54 a.m. PST |
Wow, an absolute avalanche of options! Love it! And I am that guy who even though he may only need one item, regardless of what it is, will search through however many different versions/brands he can find before making the final decision. So apparently I have some work to do. Tactical Painter, thanks for the link but I'm way ahead of you. As BillyNM cleverly divined, it was the AAR's at your blog that I was inspired by. Thanks again everyone, for your help and suggestions. |
TheNorthernFront | 17 May 2021 8:03 a.m. PST |
Crazy… Why would somebody break in and steal wargaming figures? |
Blackhorse MP | 17 May 2021 8:29 a.m. PST |
TNF, they didn't just take our wargaming stuff, it was in addition to all the other traditional loot that burglars go for; money, jewelry, electronics, power tools, etc. My buddy's family got cleaned out pretty good. The thieves must have been inside for quite awhile to get around to the wargaming stuff and it's many disorganized boxes. But I get your point…did they think they were going to be able to get a king's ransom for it from their Fence? Well, let's just hope that they eventually became wargamers, gave up their nefarious tendencies and became good citizens. Yeah, right. |
BillyNM | 17 May 2021 2:16 p.m. PST |
Genew492, I did say FAA are nice, it's really just their WW2 US range that doesn't do it for me. It may just be the photos on their site as I've never seen them in the flesh. |
TacticalPainter01 | 17 May 2021 2:42 p.m. PST |
Tactical Painter, thanks for the link but I'm way ahead of you. As BillyNM cleverly divined, it was the AAR's at your blog that I was inspired by. Ha, well there you go. Glad you've found some inspiration there. Great set of rules and I think 20mm is an excellent scale that gives the right sense of space. |
Blackhorse MP | 17 May 2021 4:03 p.m. PST |
Tactical Painter, when I did the OP I had really just read some of the AAR's, but since I started this thread I've gone back and looked at a lot of the other related stuff on your blog. Very impressive, a virtual one-stop shop for all things CoC! It should be very helpful. Thanks for that. Your motivation and dedication shine brightly! |
genew492 | 17 May 2021 8:32 p.m. PST |
BillyNM I know you did say that. Did not mean as criticism Like you I passed on several ranges because the pictures didn't do it for me. I was agreeing with you. Sorry if it didn't come off that way. |
Maha Bandula | 17 May 2021 10:01 p.m. PST |
FAA are a bit of a hit and miss as they employed various sculptors. All of the ranges created by the late Paul Barnshaw are solid, however (and yes, they happen to be the ones genew492 specifically named). |
Blacky750 | 22 May 2021 10:52 p.m. PST |
I'd recommend Simon's Soldiers for early war French, the range has just had more additions, they work well with FAA and Battlefield |
gundog | 23 May 2021 6:15 p.m. PST |
I have a bunch of most of the lines listed above I will sell reasonably and am here in the USA. Let me know if you are interested, best regards |