Early 18th Century Infantry, part 3

These pictures show some more 18th century figures from the collection of John Cunningham.

This time the comparison is focused on Strelets. The green plastic figure in each image is from Strelet's set 31 (Guard of Peter I), while the red plastic figure comes from box 21 (Swedish Infantry of Charles XII).

The metal musketeer figure on the right in each image is from Irregular Miniatures; while remaining figures are from Warrior 1680. The Warrior figure in the top image (second from left, painted) is catalogued as "LS 9, Pikeman," while his counterpart in the bottom image (on the far left) is known as "LS 6, Gunner with Linstock."

As can be seen, the Warrior 1680 figures are nice matches with the Strelets sculpts, while the Irregular troops are a bit shorter. Click on the images for a larger version.

HaT vs Irregular, Ancient Middle East

The photo above compares three HaT Persians (tan plastic) mixed with two Assyrian figures from Irregular (unpainted metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Hat figures come from box 8057 “Persian Light 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):
HaT – 23mm.
Irregular – 20mm (foot figure).

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
HaT – C (Average)
Irregular – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
The sculpting on these two sets is similar, but there is a noticeable height difference. The fact that a couple of the HaT figures in the photo have some bending at the knee, while the Irregular foot figure is upright tends to disguise this. With extra height in basing, it should be possible for some gamers to use the Irregular figures on the same table as the HaT Persians.

Michael Epting, Friend of the Blog

Michael Epting, who created the Trading Department, recently donated a number of plastic Napoleonic samples for use on the blog (seen in the picture above).

If you haven't already done so, check out the site: Trading Department

Mike's contribution will allow for a much greater range of Napoleonic comparisons in future.

Thanks Mike!

Newline vs RedBox, British Colonial Infantry

The photo above compares three Newline Designs colonial figures (unpainted metal) with three RedBox soldiers for the same era (brown plastic). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The RedBox figures come from box RB 72003 “Colonial British Army 1890.”

The metal models come from Newline Designs' 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):
RedBox – 21mm.
Newline Design – 20mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
RedBox – C (Average)
Newline Design – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
Both of these ranges are a bit shorter than most of the other plastic colonials on the market. This means that they work fairly well together. For a wargamer who has built up an army of RedBox soldiers, Newline offers a compatible source of other units or specialist figures.

Airfix / HaT vs B&B, FPW Bavarian foot

The photo above compares three Bavarian artillery figures from B&B Miniatures (second, third, fifth and seventh from the left) with several World War One Airfix figures (re-released by HaT) converted to represent Bavarian infantry of the Franco-Prussian war. Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Airfix figures are conversions which started out as box 01726: “WW1 German Infantry.” They were reissued by HaT as set 7001, with the same name.

The B & B figures come from their Franco-Prussian range, and are listed as FPGA-11 “Bavarian 6 pdr gun & crew.”

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

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Airfix/HaT – C (average)
B&B – E (exaggerated)

Overall conclusions:

While some poses from the Airfix set do match tolerably well with the B&B figures, the examples illustrated are not very compatible. The metal figures are sculpted in a very heavy style, while the Airfix/HaT figures are more realistic. This means that the heads on the B&B figures, for instance, are twice the size of those on the plastic models. However, the close height does compensate somewhat, especially as the sculpting on the shorter metal figures makes them seem to be a bit taller than they really are.

Nostalgic Revival vs RedBox, 18th Century India, Foot

The photo above compares three metal sepoy figures from Cunningham (now 20mm Nostalgic Revival) to three Afghan fighters (in brown plastic) from RedBox. Click on the images for a larger version.
Manufacturers’ designations:

The RedBox figures are from box RB72004 “Afghan Warriors.”

The Nostalgic Revival figures are from the “Wellington in India” range. From left to right they are: SW2 Madras sepoy advancing, SW4 Bombay grenadier loading, SW3 Bombay grenadier priming.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
RedBox – 20mm.
Nostalgic Revival – 22mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
RedBox – C (average)
Nostalgic Revival – C (average)

Overall conclusions:

The Cunningham sepoys are noticeably taller than the RedBox Afghans. The sculpting styles are also a bit different (with the Cunningham sculpts being a bit more slender, and more realistic in terms of animation). However, with some attention paid to modifying the base height, it should be possible to use them on the same table.

ACTA vs Les Higgins, ECW Foot

The photo above compares four metal English Civil War figures from Les Higgins to three plastic figures from A Call to Arms (ACTA). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The ACTA figures are from box 61 “House of Campaign, Royalist Infantry.”

The Les Higgins figures come from their English Civil War range. From left to right they are: EP 14 (musketeer) EP 3 (pikeman), EP 1C (officer), EP 12 (drummer).

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
A Call To Arms – 21mm.
Les Higgins – The LH figures are 21mm, except the officer in the middle who stands at just 19mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
A Call to Arms – C (average)
Les Higgins – C (average)

Overall conclusions:
A Call to Arms is the only plastic maker currently producing ECW figures. It is nice therefore to report that the Les Higgins figures are a perfect complement. Other than the one diminutive officer, the LH figures stand side by side with their plastic cousins, and share a similar sculpting style. This means it is entirely possible to mix figures in the same units if needed.

And finally, since the Les Higgins range does include other officers, it is possible to avoid the shorter sculpt if desired.

Limited run of SYW French released

John Cunningham has confirmed to the Plastic Pelisse that the Wodensfeld Seven Years War French figures are now available. John has produced these figures in a 36 piece set, which includes a mounted officer, senior and junior officers on foot, standard bearers, drummers, and NCOs, as well as infantry in a variety of marching and advancing poses. Each figure in the set is different.

John has only produced a run of 200 sets, which are priced at £18. He is also willing to consider selling individual poses, if there is demand.

Given the recent HaT news about the same period, this may be a very timely release.

For more details, or to order, email to: CunnJoh@aol.com

Ancients and Medievals from Irregular

Ian Kay from Irregular Miniatures has kindly sent over some samples of various ranges. The ones shown above come from the Ancient and Medieval periods. (Click on the images for larger versions). The samples illustrated are as follows:

Top: Wars of the Roses
NLM2 Wars of the Roses Billman
NLM9 Mounted Knight
NLM1 War of the Roses Longbowman
NLM8 Dismounted Knight

Middle: Medieval Scots
NLM17 Irish Kern Light Infantry
NLM13 Spearman in Gabeson
NLM15 Highland Heavy Infantry

Bottom: Assyrians
NBA27 Assyrian Cavalry
NBA28 Assyrian Heavy Spearman

Besides these subjects, Irregular offers the following ancient and medieval troops: Egyptian; Sea People; Mycenaean Greek; Libyan; Aztecs; Swiss/Burgundians; Hussites.

Irregular prices are 50p for foot and £1.00 for mounted.

You can find out more at the website http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

SHQ & Kennington vs HaT/Airfix, French Napoleonic Foot

The photo above compares three HaT/Airfix line infantry figures (yellow plastic) with four French gunners from SHQ (unpainted metal). The plastic figures are a bit scruffy looking, as they have had an old paint job stripped off. Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The plastic figures were originally released by Airfix in box 01744: “Waterloo French Infantry.” They were subsequently re-released by HaT in box 7008 “Waterloo French Line Infantry.”

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):
HaT/Airfix – 21mm
SHQ/Kennington – 22mm

Overall conclusions:

In general, these two sets work well together. Because the metal figures have thicker bases, and because two of the plastic figures have their heads lowered, the slight difference in height is exaggerated in the picture above. The sculpting styles and height are similar enough to even allow mixing figures in a single unit if needed.

Irregular adds French for two World Wars

Ian Kay at Irregular miniatures tells the Plastic Pelisse that he is adding a number of French figures to the company’s 20mm First World War and Second World War ranges today. Given the recent explosion in plastic WWI sets, and the steady growth in early WWII, this is timely news.

For World War One, the new additions are all portrayed in late war gear. They include:

NWF12 Late infantry advancing
NWF13 Late infantry firing
NWF14 Late infantry with rifle grenade
NWF15 Late infantry with chaucaut
NWF16 Late assault infantry throwing grenade
NWF17 Late assault infantry/pioneer with grenade bag, rifle and wire clippers
NWF18 Late infantry HMG & 2 crew
NWF19 Late infantry bugler
NWF20 Late infantry officer
NWF21 Late cavalry with sword & carbine
NWF22 75mm field gun & 4 late crew
NWF23 37mm anti-tank gun & 2 late crew
NWF24 Mortar & 2 late crew

For the Second World War, the new sculpts are:

N97 French infantry advancing
N98 French infantry standing firing
N99 French infantry with LMG
N100 French HMG & 2 crew
N101 French mortar & 2 crew
N102 French bugler
N103 French officer
N104 French cavalry
N105 75mm field gun & 4 crew

The figures can be ordered from the company’s website: http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

Ian hopes to have pictures of the new figures up in the next few days.

Emhar vs B&B, FPW German Infantry

The photo above compares three Saxon infantry figures from B&B Miniatures (unpainted metal) with three Emhar Prussian infantry (gray plastic). Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Emhar figures are from box EM7213: “Prussian Infantry, Franco-Prussian War 1870-71.”

The B & B figures come from their Franco-Prussian range, and are part of set FPGI-7 “Saxon Grenadiers.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Emhar – 22mm
B&B – 20mm

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Emhar – B (slender)
B&B – E (exaggerated)

Overall conclusions:

Given the similar heights, it might be expected that these two sets of German soldiers could mix well. However, the very different sculpting styles undermines that. For instance, the head of a B&B sculpt is twice as high as that of an Emhar model, even though the metal figures is in fact shorter. While some wargamers might be comfortable using the two ranges to produce separate units, any closer mixing will be very obvious.