Lancashire vs Airfix, World War 2 Infantry

The photo above compares three metal figures from Lancashire Games (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic figures from Airfix (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Lancashire Games’ 20mm WWII American Range. They can be found in set 20/WBP32, which is a large battle pack titled “American Infantry.” The figures can also be found in smaller sets in the range. Lancashire offers 13 different sets of US Infantry, including several modeled in greatcoats. Each code includes several poses. Other US sets in their WW2 range cover the Marines (7 sets) and Paratroops (6 sets) .

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability and Cost:

These figures are currently available from Lancashire Games. Battle packs of 24 figures are sold for £10.50 with a discount for purchases of multiple items. Standard packs with 3 figures sell for £1.50.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

Figure B comes from box 01718 “World War II Japanese Infantry.” This set was also released by Heller as 79618.

Airfix figure D comes from box 01705 “WWII German Infantry.” Specifically, the figures come from the later version of this set. This set was also released by Heller as 79605 “German Infantry”

Each box includes 48 figures in 15 or 16 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

01718 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
01705 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 19mm.

Availability and Cost:

Both sets are currently in production at Airfix. New boxes can be purchased directly on the manufacturer’s website at a cost of £4.99.

Newline vs Gulliver, ACW Cavalry

The photo above compares two metal troopers from Newline Designs (A,C) with a pair of plastic figures from Gulliver (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come are from Newline Designs’ American Civil War range, and are catalogued as ACW 50 “Cavalry in Kepi, Carbines Slung.” Newline’s ACW range is quite extensive, and currently includes 101 different products.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 32mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

These figures are currently in production, and can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. Cost is £3.00 for a set of three horses and riders (all in the same pose).

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures represent the only production to date from Gulliver (although there are rumours of a revival of the company). They come from set 3601 “American Civil War, South States Cavalry.” This box includes 15 riders in 10 poses, as well as 15 horses in six poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 32mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

As mentioned above, Gulliver went out of business years ago, so these figures are not currently in production. However, it is fairly easy to track down a set. For instance, Toy Soldiers HQ is selling boxes for $12.00 US.

Ral Partha Turks vs Zvezda Strelets

The photo above compares three metal Turks from Ral Partha (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic Strelets from Zvezda (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation and Number of Poses:

The Ral Partha figures come from their “The Condottieri” range. According to a 1985 catalogue, the Turks in this range included 10 codes, some of which contained more than one pose. In addition, the range included Swiss and Imperialist troops.

The figures illustrated are from the following codes.

A: 54-608 “Turkish Archer”
C: 54-611 “Iyaler with Sword”
E: 54-610 “Turk with Scimitar and Buckler”

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 23mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 25mm.

Availability and Cost:

With the exception of Colonial subjects, most Ral Partha historical figures continue to be produced by Iron Wind, a successor firm. However, Iron Wind does not seem to be offering The Condottieri range at present.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation and Number of Poses:

The Zvezda figures are from box 8040 “"Russian Strelets Infantry, 16-17th Centuries AD.” The box contains 46 figures in 11 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

According to PSR, Zvezda released this box in 2006. It is currently available and can be found through various online and local hobby shops and distributors.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic figures were obtained in a trade with Eric Yin.

Garrison Romans vs Revell Celts, foot

The photo above compares three metal Romans from Garrison and Greenwood & Ball (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic Celts from Revell (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

I believe that the metal figures come from Garrison’s “20mm Ancients” range, and were previously produced under the Greenwood & Ball name. Within the Ancients range, Garrison currently offers 23 different poses for 1st Century Imperial Romans. However, the poses shown in this image do not seem to be currently in production.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability and Cost:

As mentioned, these figures are not available from the manufacturer at the present time. However, other Roman figures are in production, and can be purchased from Garrison directly. Foot figures are sold for £0.60 each, while mounted figures cost £1.50

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The Revell figures come from box 02553 “Celts (Gauls).” This box includes 50 figures in 14 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.

Availability and Cost:

This set is not currently listed as being in production at Revell, but new boxes and used figures can be found at online and local hobby shops.

Notes on the Samples:

The sample figures were obtained from two sources: a trade with Frank Ivansic, and a donation from Liam Sullivan.

Qualiticast vs Esci, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three plastic figures from Esci (A,C,E) with a pair of metal guardsmen from Qualiticast (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two Esci sets:
A: Box 226 “Napoleonic Wars Waterloo 1815, Prussian and Austrian Infantry”
C, E: Box 236 “Napoleonic Wars Russian Grenadiers.”

Each box contains 50 figures in 15 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Box 236 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability:

The Esci figures are no longer in production, but used figures are easily found, and unopened boxes still show up occasionally on auction sites.

Notes on the Samples:

The Esci samples were donated by Liam Sullivan and obtained in a trade with Will McNally.

Lancashire vs Esci and Italeri, WW2 US Infantry

The photo above compares three metal infantry figures from Lancashire Games (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic paratroopers from Esci and Italeri (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Lancashire Games’ 20mm WWII American Range. They can be found in set 20/WBP32, which is a large battle pack titled “American Infantry.” The figures can also be found in smaller sets in the range. Lancashire offers 13 different sets of US Infantry, including several modeled in greatcoats. Each code includes several poses. Other US sets in their WW2 range cover the Marines (7 sets) and Paratroops (6 sets) .

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability and Cost:

These figures are currently available from Lancashire Games. Battle packs of 24 figures are sold for £10.50 with a discount for purchases of multiple items. Standard packs with 3 figures sell for £1.50.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures came from Italeri set 6063 “WWII US Paratroopers 101st Airborne,” which is a reissue of set 209 from Esci, titled “WWII US Paratroopers 82nd Screaming Eagles". The set contains 48 figures in 14 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability and Cost:

Italeri continues to produce these figures, and they can be found easily in hobby shops.