Newline vs Airfix, ACW infantry

This photo compares Newline Design's Zouaves ( the bare metal figures) with a selection of Airfix figures (in coloured plastic or painted). Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Airfix figures come from three sets. The painted figure on the far left, and the gray figure third from left are from set 01713, “Confederate Infantry.” The blue figure second from right is from the Union Infantry set (01712), while the painted figure on the extreme right is a conversion from set 01710 “Foreign Legion” – 2nd version (also released by HaT as 7012 “Foreign Legion”).

The metal figures are from Newline’s American Civil War range. The officer (fourth from left) is from ACW 75 (Zouave command in kepi), while the standard bearer (second from left) is from ACW 79 (Zouave command in fez).

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Airfix Union and Confederate figures – 21mm.
Airfix French Foreign Legion – 22mm
Newline Zouaves – 20mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Airfix – C (Average).
Newline – C (Average)

Notes and conclusions: The Airfix figures are some of the oldest on the market, and not very dynamic. The Newline sculpts are much more animated, but otherwise fit well with their plastic cousins. In fact using slightly thicker bases for the metal troops would make the fit almost perfect.

Ironically, the Newline figures match up better with the Airfix ACW models, than Airfix's own Foreign Legion figure does.

One final note, the figure on the right was converted about thirty years ago to represent a Louisiana Tiger. Some paint can be seen flaking off the weapon – a sign that recent techniques to maximize paint retention weren’t being used at the time.

Emhar vs Tumbling Dice, Crimean Foot

This photo compares Emhar French Crimean infantry ( the figures in blue plastic) with Crimean British Horse Artillery (painted figure on the left) and British Guard Infantry (in bare metal) from Tumbling Dice. Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Emhar figures come from set EM 7211 – French Infantry, Crimean War & Franco-Prussian War.

The metal gunner is from Tumbling Dice set C1854 BR 13: British Horse Artillery Gun Crew. The other Tumbling Dice figures come from set C1854 BR 1: British Guards in Bearskin

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Emhar figures – 21mm.
Tumbling Dice models – 21mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Emhar – B (Slender).
Tumbling Dice – D (Somewhat heavy)

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: Since the figures in this comparison represent units from different armies, there are no obvious incompatibilities. The British (metal) figures are wearing their winter overcoats, while the French (plastic) figures also have their greatcoats on.

Overall conclusions: There are only a few choices when it comes to plastic Crimean War figures, and Emhar don’t make any British troops at all. Given that shortage, it is encouraging that the Tumbling Dice troops match up with Emhar on height. The different sculpting styles mean the models are not very convincing when intermingled, but formed as separate units, they should be able to fight on the same games table.

Italeri vs Newline, ACW Infantry

This photo compares Italeri Union infantry ( the larger figures in silver plastic) with Newline Design Zouaves (in bare metal). Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The plastic figures come from Italeri’s set 6012 “Union Infantry with Zouaves.”

The metal drummer and standard bearer, in the fez , are from Newline Designs set ACW 79 – ACW, Zouave command in Fez. The officer in kepi come from their set ACW 75 – ACW, Zouave command in Kepi.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Italeri figures – 22mm.
Newline Designs zouaves – 20mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Italeri – C (Average).
Newline Designs – C (Average).

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: Since the figures represent different units (regular infantry, zouaves), there are no obvious incompatibilities.

Overall conclusions: The Italeri and Newline figures are not that dissimilar. With a complementary build and no great difference in height, the Newline models could be used to provide some short men for an Italeri unit. Used in separate units, the two types of figures should be able to work together for many wargamers.

Tumbling Dice, Crimean War British

Tumbling Dice is a British company producing 1/72nd scale metal figures in a number of ranges, stretching from the Dark Ages to the nineteenth century. The figures illustrated here are from their Crimean War range. (Click on the picture for a larger version.)


The photo compares some of the Tumbling Dice figures to a variety of other models available to Crimean War gamers. The actual figures are from the following sets:

• Tumbling Dice set C1854 BR 13 - British Horse Artillery Gun Crew
• Emhar box EM 7211 – French Infantry, Crimean War & Franco-Prussian War
• Tumbling Dice set C1854 BR 1 - British Guards in Bearskin
• Strelets set 0028 – Crimean War British Line Infantry
• Tumbling Dice set C1854 BR 1 - British Guards in Bearskin
• Douglas Miniatures Crimean War British Infantry (metal)
• Tumbling Dice set C1854 BR 1. British Guards in Bearskin
• Esci set 221 – Crimean War Russian Infantry and Artillery
  

More detailed comparisons will follow.

At this time, Tumbling Dice sell their Crimean War foot figures in bags of 8 for 4 pounds (UK). This works out for 50p per figure (UK) or 74 cents (US), and 92 cents (CDN) at current conversion rates.

Esci vs Newline, ACW Infantry

This photo compares Esci confederate civil war figures (in light tan plastic) with Newline Design Zouaves (in bare metal). Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations: The plastic figures come from Esci’s set 223 “American Civil War Confederate Infantry.” The metal standard bearer, in the fez , is from Newline Designs set ACW 79 – ACW, Zouave command in Fez. The officer in kepi come from their set ACW 75 – ACW, Zouave command in Kepi.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Esci figures – 23mm.
Newline Designs zouaves – 20mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Esci – B (Slender).
Newline Designs – C (Average)

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: Since the figures represent different units, there are no obvious incompatibilities.

Overall conclusions: The combination of build and height differences mean these figures do not work well in the same unit. The Esci figures end up a good head taller than their metal companions.

B&B Franco-Prussian, French Sailors

B&B Miniatures offers a complete range of 20mm figures for the Franco-Prussian conflict, many of which are also suitable for other wars of the period. Oddly, the firm currently maintains two distinct websites, with different information on each. The complete listing can be found here:

http://www.bandbminiatures.co.uk/

Look on the same site for a large number of photos of the range.

The image provided above illustrates what the buyer will get in a typical infantry pack. In this case, the figures are from set FPFI-14 "French Marines Advancing." The set included four figures of each of the three poses on the left (with head varieties) plus one each of the command figures on the right - officer, petty officer, standard bearer, bugler.

The set currently retails for 8.80 (UK Pounds), which is 55p per figure. At today's exchange rate that is 80 cents (US) or 98 cents (Canadian).

Click on the picture for a larger version.

Newline Design vs Accurate and Revell, ACW Infantry

The two photos compare Accurate/Revell civil war figures (in blue or gray plastic) with Newline Design Zouaves (in bare metal). Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations: The blue plastic figures come from the Accurate set designated as 7202 – American Civil War Union Infantry. It has been reissued by Revell with the same title as 02559. The gray figures are from Accurate set 7205 – American Civil War Engineers. It has been reissued by Revell as set 02564 – American Civil War Confederate Pioneers.

The metal figures in the fez are from Newline Designs set ACW 79 – ACW, Zouave command in Fez. The officer in kepi come from their set ACW 75 – ACW, Zouave command in Kepi..

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Accurate/Revell figures – 22mm.
Newline Designs zouaves – 20mm.

Sculpting style compatibility (on 5 pt scale):
Accurate/Revell – C (Average).
Newline Designs – C (Average)

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: Since the figures represent different units (union infantry, engineers, zouaves), there are no obvious incompatibilities.

Overall conclusions: Although the height difference seems small when measured, there is a notable difference when looking at the figures together. In part this is aggravated by the tendency of the Newline figures to be leaning forward noticeably (making them appear shorter), while the Accurate figures stand straight and even hold things over their head. However, with a similar sculpting style, the figures do not look out of place on the same table.

Metal on Metal at Warflag

Warflag is a very useful website for wargamers. The main offering is a set of printable flags suitable for all scales and a variety of conflicts. The main site is here:

http://www.warflag.com/

The site also is home to several subsites based around specific wargaming interests. On one of those can be found a very helpful image, which provides a comparison of metal "25mm" figures for the colonial era. This image is found here:

http://www.warflag.com/shadow/cast/figuresize/figuresize1.jpg

The ranges included in the picture fall into three groups.

The largest figures are:

• Cannon Fodder
• Essex
• Castaway
• Honorable Lead Boiler Suit Company
• Redoubt

Medium sized figures include:

• Old Glory
• Wargames Foundry
• Irregular
• Falcon UK
• Dixon (their height is closer to the third group, but the sculpting fits better here)

Among the smaller figures are:

• Matchlock
• Minifigs
• Ral Partha
• Frontier
• Reviresco

It is this final group which are in scope for this blog - they are the ones that seem most likely to supplement plastic armies. But for anyone with questions about the others, this is a good starting point.

Strelets vs B&B, Franco-Prussian French infantry

The photo shows 5 Strelets-R figures in blue plastic, compared with two B&B Miniatures models, in bare metal. Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations: The plastic figures come from Strelets’ set 024 – Crimean War French Light Infantry. The B&B figures are from set FPFI-14 in the Franco-Prussian range – French Marines Advancing.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
The Strelets figures measure 21mm, while the B&B models are 20mm high.

Sculpting style compatibility (on 5 pt scale):
Strelets: C (average).
B&B: E (exaggerated)

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: Since the two figures represent different units, there are no obvious incompatibilities.

Overall conclusions:
Given the similar heights, the two manufacturers can work reasonably well together on a games table. However, B&B’s sculpting style will always stand out on close examination.

Newline Designs ACW Zouaves

Newline Designs is a British firm which makes 20mm figures for the following periods: Ancients; Napoleonics; American Civil War; and the Zulu War. Their homepage is:

www.newlinedesigns.co.uk

The picture above provides an overview of some samples from their ACW range, arranged with several different plastic makes. I will be providing more detailed comparisons in subsequent posts.

The figures in this image are from the following sets (from left to right):

• Esci, 223 Confederate Infantry
• Newline Designs, ACW 75, Zouave command in kepi
• Italeri, 6012 Union Infantry with Zouaves
• Accurate, 7205, American Civil War Engineers (reissued by Revell as 02564 Confederate Pioneers)
• Newline Designs, ACW 79, Zouave command in fez
• Airfix, 01712 Union Infantry
• Accurate, 7202 – American Civil War Union Infantry (reissued by Revell)
• Newline Designs, ACW 79

Click on the image for a larger version.

Airfix vs B&B, Franco-Prussian French Infantry

Figures in the image (left to right) are:

• 2 unpainted figures from Airfix/HaT
• 1 painted figure from Airfix/HaT
• 2 unpainted metal figures from B&B
• 3 painted figures from Airfix/HaT.
  

Manufacturers’ designations: The Airfix/Hat figures were originally released by Airfix as set 01710 “Foreign Legion.” This is the 2nd version of that set. They were reissued by HaT as set 7012 “Foreign Legion.” The B&B figures are from set FPFI-14 “French Marines Advancing.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Airfix/HaT 21mm
B & B: 20mm

Sculpting style compatibility (on 5 pt scale):
Airfix/Hat: C (average).
B&B: E (exaggerated).

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: The plastic figures are intended for service in North Africa and so are wearing the neck cloth. (For use in the Franco Prussian war, this should be carved off.)

Overall compatibility: With the very strong height correlation, but distinct sculpting styles, these figures are reasonably compatible. Since there are no plastic French Marines, the B&B figures do fill a hole in available troop types.

Figure availability: The plastic figures are currently available from HaT through all their normal distribution channels. The B&B figures are also in production and available from the manufacturer and select distributors.

About the image. The painted figures in the image were originally finished in the late 70s or early 80s, and show the biggest problem with painted figures from that era – flaking. These days, techniques for keeping paint on figures have improved remarkably, and some manufactures are using plastic which holds the paint much more easily. Check out some of the links on the sidebar to find out more.

Click on the image for a larger version.

Irregular vs Esci / Italeri, Napoleonic Mounted

For the first post of 2009, let's wrap up the comparisons of Irregular's Napoleonic mounted general (BNC-1). In this case the Irregular figure in the middle is compared to two figures from Esci (also reissued by Italeri). Both of the Esci figures come from sets with very long names (at least as printed on the box).

The tan coloured figure on the left comes from Esci set 220 - "Crimean War British Cavalry, Lord Cardigan's 11th Hussars." The gray figure on the right is from Esci set 218 - "Napoleonic Wars Waterloo 1815, Polish Lancers French Cavalry." They were reissued by Italeri in box 6052 "Crimean War British Hussars" and box 6039 "Napoleonic Dutch-Polish Lancers" respectively.

Once more the Irregular rider and mount are quite a bit smaller than those from Esci / Italeri.

Click on the image for a larger version.