"Going Once! 54mm AWI in Plastic" Topic

I'm about to shelve my 54mm AWI in plastic project.

I thought I'd be satisified with a majority "generic" figure selection in this scale. Armies in Plastic would be my friend.

Then I cast around for some more "militia-looking" militia and I definitely needed some Hessians in mitre caps since Armies in Plastic does not offer these (a true shame). I got the BMC Battle of Yorktown set and absolutely loved painting the Hessians therein, even with the figures being very basic.

So, I just got my first Accurate figures in and they are JUST GORGEOUS – but too detailed and small to mix well with Armies in Plastic and others.

Long story short, I can't seem to piece together the AWI forces I want with what I can find online. Can anyone suggest a manufacturer where I could "hit the broad strokes" and collect figures that would pass for Continentals, British, Colonial Militia and Hessians (I won't even touch British light infantry, dragoons, etc.)?

I'd love for some Accurate-level detailed figs in plastic, but would settle with low-detail figures with fairly accurate "broad strokes" (like the aforementioned mitre caps).

CTS (Classic Toy Soldiers) sells Hessians in Mitre Helmets.
$14.95 USD.
link

You can always disguise the height of your figs. I use a wide mix of figs in my AWI armies. You can just build up the base for your shorter figs. I'm using cassino poker chips like Bill at Bill's Wargame World on Youtube. He does a lot of 54mm including AWI and FIW. Just add a second chip or whatever medium you want to the base.

Thanks

John

Perhaps Marx Revolutionary War series – originals or reissues?

In this scale, it is not uncommon to have to cobble things together so, my armies have 54s and 60s. I just keep them in seperate units. And, as John noted, you can put smaller figures on thicker bases if you want to.

LOD Enterprises has some light infantry and light dragoons. A Call to Arms also makes light infantry.

HaT Industries produces 1/32 plastic Prussian infantry for the Seven Years War -- musketeers, grenadiers, and command; that can serve equally as Germans / Hessians for the AWI.

Don't feel bound to only use one manufacturer's figures in a unit. Mix the brands up. I do this for my ACW armies. I use maybe 5 to 7 different brands of figures and mixing them up in one unit gives it that irregular feel that I am looking for in both ACW and AWI. I will also stick in an occasional 60mm figure into a regiment. The HaT figures are nice figures and make for good Hessians.

+1 to Hat. I forgot that I bought several boxes of them to use as Hessians.

Conte made some great AWI figures. They are now being recast by LOD figures. They currently make AWI cavalry militia, regulars, US lights, and grenadiers.

You can also try using the Armies in Plastic F&I Wars French Infantry for the French/Spanish/Hessian-Non Grenadier or Fusilier regts. (They have the small side-sword) And you can sprinkle in some of the Rogers Rangers from the same company into the more irregular units such as Butler's Rangers or "Over the Mountain" men.