Irregular War of the Roses vs Strelets Crusaders, foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from Irregular Miniatures (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from Strelets-R (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Irregular models come from their 20mm “Late Medieval” range. This line includes 22 codes, including both foot and mounted figures from a variety of campaigns. These particular samples are all Wars of the Roses subjects. They are catalogued as follows (left to right in the picture):

A. NLM 8 Dismounted Knight
C. NLM2 Billman
E. NLM 1 Longbowman

Figure Characteristics:

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


Availability and Cost:

Irregular’s metal figures are currently available. They can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. The figures can be ordered individually, and come with random variations. Cost: 50p UK per figure.

The Irregular website is here:

http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

Notes on the Samples:

The Irregular models were generously provided by the manufacturer.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come two sets released by Strelets-R, box M012 “Military Order Warriors” (figure B) and box M015 “Foot Military Order Knights” (figure D). Each box contains 48 figures, in 12 poses. Strelets has several other sets devoted to the Crusaders, including mounted offerings, as well as Muslim forces to oppose them.

Figure Characteristics:

M012 Height (measured from ground to eyes): 20mm.
M012 Height (measured from ground to top of head): 22mm.
M015 Height (measured from ground to eyes): 22mm.
M015 Height (measured from ground to top of head): 23mm.

Availability:

These sets are fairly recent, and represent the approach that Strelets adopted when they decided that some sets did not need to have all unique poses. They are widely available.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic figures were obtained in a trade with Carlos Faro.

Musket Miniatures vs IMEX, ACW foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from Musket Miniatures (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from IMEX (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation:

The metal figures come from Musket Miniatures’ 22mm American Civil War range. They are from code CWH125 “Infantry standing loading” which comes with 8 figures in 4 poses, and includes several head variations.

Musket’s range is very large, and contains more than 300 different codes.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

Figures from Musket Miniatures can be found on the company’s website:

http://www.musketminiatures.com/

They are sold in several ways. Individual figures can be purchased for 75 cents (US), packages of 8 castings cost $5.25 US, while a regiment of 20 figures, including command, costs $12.95.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from set 503 “American Civil War, Union Cavalry.” This box includes 11 riders in 5 poses, along with 11 horses in 3 poses, and 15 dismounted figures in 6 poses. There are two variants of this box in release, one of which substitutes a “bonus” figure representing George Custer for one of the existing mounted poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (from ground to eyes): 22mm
Height (from ground to top of head): 24mm

Availability:

These figures are currently in production, and can easily be found.

Rose and Garrison samples received

Rob Young from Garrison Wargames Figures was kind enough to send a group of samples over recently. Garrison produces figures that were originally designed by John Braithwaite, and released by Garrison, Greenwood & Ball, and Rose. These samples will be featured in a number of upcoming comparisons, but I wanted to provide these shots as an illustration of the ranges represented.

The top picture includes figures from the two 20mm lines. Those grouped to the left are from the Garrison/Greenwood & Ball 20mm range, while the more modern subjects on the right come from the Rose 20mm line.

The bottom photo deals with the 25mm line. Again the figures grouped to the left include 25mm Garrison figures, while the two on the right are from the Rose Prestige range.

More detailed identification of the actual poses supplied will be included in the comparison posts.

Rob sells the 20mm Garrison figures for £0.60 each, while the Rose figures go for just £0.50. At 25mm, the Garrison figures are sold for £0.60, while the Rose Prestige figures cost £0.70.

The Garrison website is here:

http://www.garrisonminiatures.com/index.asp

RSM vs Airfix, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from RSM (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from Airfix, which were also re-released by HaT (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from the former RSM 95 range, now produced by the Dayton Painting Consortium. The range includes foot and mounted figures representing Britain, France, Austria, Brunswick, Spain, Saxony and Bavaria, as well as some artillery pieces. There are about 75 Napoleonic codes in total in their catalogue.

I do not have the actual identification for these figures, although the one on the left is one of the Saxon models.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

The RSM figures are currently available from DPC. They are sold in bags of 24, including command figures, for $10.80 (US). The website is here:

http://www.dpcltdcom.org/

Notes on the Samples:

The Saxon figure was provided in a trade from Mike Epting.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

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 box contains 42 foot figures in 13 poses, as well as a mounted officer.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

Airfix has brought these figures back into production recently, as part of the “Waterloo Battle Gift Set.” While they are not currently offering the set separately, boxes can be easily found at dealers.

Crimean Turks from Uwe Wild (Fritz Figures)

Pictured above are several of the new Turkish Crimean figures available from Uwe Wild. Click on an image to see a larger version.

Many of the readers of this blog will be familiar with Uwe Wild and his various contributions to the hobby. For those who don’t recognize his name, check out his blog here:

http://historyin172.blogspot.com/

One of Uwe’s recent projects has been to start manufacturing interesting subjects in 1/72 scale. His figures are metal, but for the most part are intended to fill the gaps in both plastic and metal lines. His first release includes a number of Turkish subjects for the Crimean war.

Pictured above are some of the infantry poses available, which include figures from the Anatolian elements of the Turkish army. Altogether there are 13 different infantry figures currently available, as well as some artillery. More figures for this topic are expected in 2011.

These are nice sculpts with good detail and useful poses. There has been some effort made to vary the heights of the different figures, but they average 22mm high at the eyes, and 24mm high to the top of the head. (Photo comparisons with plastic ranges will be posted later.)

Uwe is still working out the details of his range, including a brand name. For pricing and availability, it is best to contact him using the email address available on his blog.