Marlburian Grenadiers from Les Higgins

As discussed in earlier posts, John Cunningham is producing several of the old Les Higgins ranges. Besides making the original sculpts available again, he has added new figures to several of the ranges.

The most extensive range currently in production is the “Marlborough” series. It is a fully fleshed out range, with a variety of infantry, artillery, cavalry and command figures available.

The images above feature the Grenadiers. The lower image shows figures MP 2 to 6, as follows:

MP 2 Grenadier at ease
MP 3 Grenadier throwing grenade
MP 4 Grenadier at the ready
MP 5 Grenadier firing
MP6 Grenadier thrusting

The top photo includes MP 7 to 9 and MP 17a:

MP 7 Grenadier charging
MP 8 Grenadier loading
MP 9 Grenadier kneeling firing
MP 17a Grenadier officer with sword.

In addition to these figures, there is a further Grenadier, in pose MP 1(march attack).

The figures measure 20mm, from the sole of the foot to the eye, with a couple of exceptions. In this case MP7 is a bit taller than his peers.

Atlantic/Nexus vs Irregular, Ancient Middle East

The photo above compares two Atlantic Egyptians (painted plastic) with two Assyrian figures from Irregular (unpainted metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Egyptian figures come from Atlantic’s box 1502 “The Egyptian Army.” They were later re-released by Nexus as set ATL-01, “Egyptian Infantry.”

The Irregular figures come from their Biblical Ancients range. They are NBA27 “Assyrian Cavalry” and NBA28 “Assyrian Heavy Spearman.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Atlantic/Nexus – 23mm.
Irregular – 20mm (foot figure).

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Atlantic/Nexus – C (Average)
Irregular – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
Once again there is a significant height difference between Irregular’s metal soldiers, and the plastic figures reviewed. These figures would not mix easily on the same table.

Note: The paint on the Egyptians is starting to flake with age, not uncommon for figures that were neither undercoated, nor sealed after painting.

Airfix / Heller vs SHQ, WWII Infantry

The photo above compares three SHQ US GIs with two WWII figures from Airfix: a partly painted US Marine, and unpainted Japanese soldier. Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Airfix figures come from box 01716 “World War II US Marines” and box 01718 “World War II Japanese Infantry.” The sets were also reissued by Heller as box 79616 and 79618 respectively.

The SHQ figures come from their “WWII American Infantry, 1942-44” range. The figures come from several of the packs, as follows:

Far left: GI 23 Wounded and Two Medics
Middle: GI 24 Stretcher Party
Far right: GI 25 Surgeon and Two Orderlies


Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Airfix– 20mm.
SHQ – 21mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Airfix US Marine – C (Average)
Airifix Japanese – B (Slender)
SHQ – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
Twentieth century armies aren’t mounted in ranks or tight groups, so slight height or sculpting differences are much easier to fudge when mixing ranges. The fact that the SHQ figures reviewed don’t carry weapons (which should be consistent) makes it even easier to see them as simply taller men than their plastic colleagues. In short, these two lines work very well together.

Newline vs Esci, British Colonial Infantry

The photo above compares three Newline Designs colonial figures (unpainted metal) with three Esci figures (2 painted, and one in tan plastic). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Esci figures come from box 212 “Zulu War, British Infantry Soldiers” and were also issued in box 232 “Indian War Kiber Pass British Infantry.” Italeri re-released the set as Box 6050, "Zulu War British Infantry."

The Newline Design figures come from their Zulu War Range. The pose shown second from left and second from right is designated “ZW6: British Infantry at Ready,” while the third from the left is “ZW2A: British Advancing Firing.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Esci /Italeri – 21mm.
Newline Design – 20mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Esci / Italeri – B (Slender)
Newline Design – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
Although these ranges measure out with only one millimetre difference in height, they actually look more uneven than that. This is probably a result of the slender build of the Esci figures, as well as the fact that the middle metal figure is leaning forward. Some of the basing on these examples may also exaggerate the difference. With some attention paid to the choice of positions, and the basing, it should be possible to use the Newline figures to supplement an army of Esci troops.

Early 18th Century Infantry, Part 4

This is the last set of pictures sent in by John Cunningham, comparing plastic and metal figures of the early 18th century. In this case, the focus is on Zvezda. Click on the images for a larger version.

The figures are:

Top Picture
Warrior 1680, LS 1 Grenadier (painted, blue coat)
Minifigs S range, Musketeer firing (painted, red coat)
Zvezdva, Russian Infantry of Peter the Great set 8049 (unpainted green plastic)

Zvezda, Swedish Inantry, Great Northern War set 8048 (unpainted tan plastic)

Middle Picture
Zvezda, 2 x Swedish Infantry, Great Northern War set 8048 (unpainted tan plastic)
Les Higgins, MP 14 Musketeer at ready (painted blue coat)
Strelets, 2 x Swedish Infantry of Charles XII, set 0021 (unpainted red plastic)

Bottom Picture
Warrior 1680, LS 9 Pikeman (painted, red coat)
Warrior 1680, LS 6 Gunner with linstock (unpainted metal)
Zvezda, 2 x Russian Infantry of Peter the Great, set 8049 (unpainted green plastic)

Italeri/Zvezda vs Irregular, Ancient Middle East

The photo above compares three Zvezda/Italeri Persians (red plastic) with two Assyrian figures from Irregular (unpainted metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The plastic figures come from a joint Italeri/Zvezda release. They are listed as Zvezda box 8006 “Immortals, Persian Infantry” and Italeri box 6025 “Persian Infantry, 4th to 5th century BC.”

The Irregular figures come from their Biblical Ancients range. They are NBA27 “Assyrian Cavalry” and NBA28 “Assyrian Heavy Spearman.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Zvezda/Italeri – 23mm (although the figure with the standard is a bit taller).
Irregular – 20mm (foot figure).

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Zvezda/Italeri – C (Average)
Irregular – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
While the sculpting on these two sets is compatible, it doesn’t overcome the clear height difference. These figures would not mix well in a single unit. However, with attention paid to base heights, some wargamers might be willing to have them appear on the same table.

New GIs from SHQ

Peter Edwards from SHQ has sent over samples of his firm’s latest release. They comprise six bags (each containing three figures) of US GIs from World War 2. They are wearing the M1941 field jacket and M1 helmet. These figures are not in the familiar combat poses. Instead, this release focuses on supplementary figures including gun crews, and medical subjects.

The releases are illustrated above. Click on an image for a larger picture:

GI 19 Drivers (top left)
GI 21 105mm Artillery Crew (top right) - note that one figure has a separate arm , which is placed in front of him in this photo. There is also a shell in front of the furthest right figure.
GI 22 155mm Artillery Crew (middle left)
GI 23 Wounded and Two Medics (middle right)
GI 24 Stretcher Party (bottom left)
GI 25 Surgeon and Two Orderlies (bottom right)

Each pack is being sold for £1.85. Per figure costs, at today’s exchange rates, are:

UK Pounds: 0.62
Canadian Dollars: 1.18
US Dollars: 1.03
Australian Dollars: 1.35
Euros: .77

The SHQ website is here: http://www.shqminiatures.co.uk/

Liam Sullivan, Friend of the Blog

Liam Sullivan, who posts on the Trading Post and elsewhere, just sent a large mixed bag of plastic figures to build up the comparison samples here at the Plastic Pelisse. They will come in handy.

Thanks very much for your generous donation, Liam!

B&B Franco-Prussian War, German forces

These pictures provide a few more views of B&B's German figures from the Franco-Prussian war. The top picture illustrates the poses provided in a typical bagged set. In this case, the poses come from set FPGI-7 “Saxon Grenadiers." The figures are sold in a group of 20 with variant heads.

The lower picture includes one figure from that set (second from left) as well as a general from set FPGS-1 "Prussian Staff mounted," and a gunner from set FPGA-11 “Bavarian 6 pdr gun & crew.” Also in the lower picture are some Emhar plastic troops (gray plastic) and painted Airfix figures.

These models are available from the B&B website: http://www.bandbminiatures.co.uk/ (note that the company changed to this URL fairly recently - so if you have bookmarked the old site it won't work any more). The new website has a lot more photos than used to be available.

I actually purchased my figures from Brookhurst Hobbies. Brookhurst is a good source for metal figures in the US. They have a online store here: http://brookhursthobbies.com/ This is also a recently redesigned site, but using the existing address. However, I can't currently find B&B listed at their site, so perhaps they no longer carry the line.

SHQ & Kennington vs Italeri, French Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three Italeri French general staff figures (blue plastic) with a similar number of French gunners from SHQ (unpainted metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Italeri figures come from box 6016: “French Imperial General Staff.”

The SHQ figures come from their Napoleonic range, and are designated “ART 2 Napoleonic French Guard Horse Artillery Crew.” The range is also available from Kennington.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Italeri – 23mm
SHQ / Kennington – 22mm

Overall conclusions:
Since the Italeri figures are excellent models, it is nice to report that they work very well with the SHQ sculpts. The plastic soldiers are just a tiny bit taller than their metal colleagues. Otherwise, the sculpting styles and height are similar enough to allow mixing figures in a single unit if needed.