Small Scale Operations looks at 20mm modern African forces

Sgt Scream recently published a comparison of 20mm offerings covering recent conflicts in Africa. The actual image is a re-post of something that had appeared at The Guild.

The image compares figures from these ranges:

Elhiem
Liberation
Mutineer
Flashing Blade

Check it out yourself here:

http://smallscaleoperations.blogspot.com/2011/06/wargaming-africa-some-miniature.html

Elhiem Releases 20mm Taliban and More

The image above, distributed by the company, shows TAL 03 “Afghan Irregulars Skirmishing.” Click on the picture for a larger version.

Matt Hingley recently announced the release of three new sets of Afghan irregulars from Elhiem Figures. These figures are suitable for a variety of scenarios from the Soviet invasion up to the present. The set illustrated is sold for £3.25, and can be ordered directly from the company.

Other releases in October have included USMC troops in 2010 gear, and figures for the British in Iraq, circa 2003.

Elhiem’s website is here:

http://www.elhiemfigures.com/

Martello sculpts resurrected by Under Fire

This photo, taken from the Under Fire website, shows the first release from the Arab/Israeli range: a 5 man IDF patrol for 1982. Click on the image for a larger version.

Martello International was formed in late 2008 to market a limited number of ranges sculpted by Stuart Emmett and Tony Boustead. The first products went on sale in January 2009, and eventually included a number of World War Two and more recent subjects.

While some very nice figures were produced, the company never really had success in the retail and distribution functions. The story got a bit confusing in the fall of 2009, with changes in personnel, and announcements that the rights to the current or future figures were being sold or licensed variously to Sgt’s Mess, TQD, artwho9 Painting or AB Figures.

Flash forward a year, and most of the confusion has been removed. The former Martello range is being re-released by Under Fire Miniatures, a new company started by Bill Weston.

The website is here:

http://www.underfireminiatures.com/index.htm

As of now, the following ranges are available for purchase:

WWII Germans, Italians and Russians;
Arab/Israeli 1982 (1 pack only so far);
Rhodesian Light Infantry, and Selous Scouts;
British and Taliban in Afghanistan.

Before the end of the year, Bill plans to have some additional British figures produced, wearing updated (2010) helmets and body armour, and carrying some new weapons. They will be joined by a couple of new SAS packs for the same theatre.

Also on the schedule for this year, we should see a new range of modern Russians, based around the 2008 Russia/Georgia conflict as well as four packs of Vietnam figures.

Bill promises further expansion of the existing ranges next year.

US in Vietnam: Rafm vs Esci, Italeri, Revell

The photo above compares three metal figures from Rafm (A,C,E) with three plastic figures originally released by Esci (B,D,F). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ designation and Number of Poses:

The Rafm figures come from the “Charlie Company” range; the specific figures come from the following codes (each code comprises multiple poses):

A.RAF 06993 “US Army Rifle Squad”
C. RAF 06971 “USMC Rifle Squad”
E. RAF 06970 “USMC Command”

Rafm has 14 different sets available in the “Charlie Company” range. In addition to the figure sets, the company also offers a helicopter and a 105mm gun with crew.

Figure Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

Rafm’s metal figures are currently available, and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. The Army Rifle Squad and USMC Command sets both cost US$7.95 for nine or ten figures (in different poses). The USMC Rifle Squad costs a dollar more, and includes 14 figures.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures were originally released by Esci as set 228 “Vietnam War, US Elite Forces.” The box included 50 figures in 15 poses.

The set was reissued by Italeri as set 6078, “American Special Forces, Vietnam War.” Revell also produced it, as set 02527, with the same name as the Italeri set.

Figure Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

The Italeri and Revell versions of this set can be found easily. For instance, Ye Olde Toy Soldiers is selling the Italeri version for $9.99 US.

Platoon 20 vs Esci, Revell, Italeri VC and NVA, Vietnam War

The photo above compares three metal Viet Cong figures from Platoon 20 (A,C,E) with a similar number of plastic NVA and VC troops, released originally by Esci (B,D,F). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures are from Platoon 20, currently manufactured by East Riding Miniatures. The “Vietnam Wars” range currently offered includes figures for the Vietminh to fight the French, as well as NVA, and VC for the later period.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 18mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

As mentioned, Platoon 20 figures are available from East Riding Miniatures. They are generally sold in packages of 4, with multiples poses, for £2.50.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures were originally released by Esci as set 229 “Vietnam War, North Vietnamese.” The box included 50 figures in 15 poses.

The set was reissued by Italeri as set 6079, “Vietnamese Army/Vietcong, Vietnam War.” Revell also produced it, as set 02526 “Vietcong, Vietnam War.”

Figure Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

The Italeri and Revell versions of this set can be found easily. For instance, ModelsForSale.com is selling the Italeri version for £6.50 and the Revell version for the much lower price of £4.88.

Rafm vs Esci Revell Italeri, NVA and VC, Vietnam War

The photo above compares three plastic North Vietnamese figures originally released by Esci (B,D,F) with a similar number of metal figures from Rafm (A,C,E). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ designation and Number of Poses:

The Rafm figures come from the “Charlie Company” range; the specifc figures come from the following codes (each code comprises multiple poses):

A.RAF 06995 “VC Hardcore”
C. RAF 06997 “VC Irregulars”
E. RAF 06995 “VC Hardcore”

Rafm has 14 different sets available in the “Charlie Company” range. Besides the VC figures, the range includes US Army and USMC types. In addition to the figure sets, the company also offers a helicopter and a 105mm gun with crew.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 19mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Rafm’s metal figures are currently available, and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Each of the codes above costs US$7.95 for ten figures (in five different poses).

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures were originally released by Esci as set 229 “Vietnam War, North Vietnamese.” The box included 50 figures in 15 poses.

The set was reissued by Italeri as set 6079, “Vietnamese Army/Vietcong, Vietnam War.” Revell also produced it, as set 02526 “Vietcong, Vietnam War.”

Figure Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

The Italeri and Revell versions of this set can be found easily. For instance, ModelsForSale.com is selling the Italeri version for £6.50 and the Revell version for the much lower price of £4.88.