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

Various Moderns Compared on Small Scale Operations

Sgt Scream (also known as Chris M.) runs an excellent blog called Small Scale Operations, which focuses on 20mm gaming in the modern period – especially the Middle East. Lately his blog has become a cornucopia of resource information on the period. He publishes regular round ups of new figure releases, as well as comprehensive reviews of terrain and models to accompany them. He even takes time to provide book reviews and recommendations. However it is the following post which jumps out in the context of this blog:


http://smallscaleoperations.blogspot.com/2011/03/wargaming-moderns-some-scale.html

In this entry, he provides a scale comparison featuring the following metal ranges:

S&S Models
RH Liberation
Britannia Miniatures
Stan Johansen
Stonewall
Elhiem

The comparisons also include one plastic range: Caesar.

The comparison is certainly worth checking out. The full blog can be found here:

http://smallscaleoperations.blogspot.com/

S and S Models Expands Modern Range

S & S Models is a British manufacturer best known for its modern 20mm vehicles. However, the firm also produces a fairly large range of modern infantry figures in the same scale. None of these figures are listed on the company website, although pictures of some can be found at this site:

Picture Link

Because the website lacks information, I cannot provide codes for the figures shown, or prices. However I have contacted them, and hope to have the information soon.

The pictures above, taken from the company’s gallery, show some of the more recent releases. The top image shows modern Dutch troops, while the image below features a lineup of Taliban fighters. Other recent releases include NATO troops, including logistics and artillery crews.

The company website can be found here:

http://www.sandsmodels.com/index.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/

RH Models expands Liberation moderns

The image above shows Liberation Miniatures' recent release UK03-com, “British 2003 Command Pack.” It is taken from the RH Models website. Click on the image for a larger version.

Under RH Models, the Liberation brand of 20mm metal figures continues to grow. RH is adding content to a number of the Liberation lines on an incremental basis. This month, the newest additions are:

US, 2 downed helicopter pilots with M4s (code uspdm4)
British 2003 command pack - 5 figures for £2.50 (code uk03-com)
British in osprey/kestrel body armour, command pack - 5 figures for £2.50 (code ukospcom)

The lines in the Liberation range include:

Modern British
British SAS/SBS
Modern USA
US Special Forces
Other NATO
Modern Africans
Rhodesians
South Africans
Modern Russians
Modern Afghans
Modern Cubans
Chechens etc.
Arab Militias
Modern PLO
Insurgents
Indo China 1950
Korea and Vietnam
Balkan Wars
Arab Israeli conflicts
Urban Terror
Iraq 1973-2003
Iran 1970s/80s
Several generic weapon and vehicle codes.

Liberation also offers a small number of figures from the British Army from before 1939.

The full catalogue can be found on the RH website:

http://www.rhmodels.com/index.html

Elhiem adding new US figures for Iraqi Freedom

Elhiem Figures issues a web-based newsletter which provides a nice peak into their future plans. Elhiem is a very active firm, delivering 1/72 scale metal figures covering a number of conflicts.

In the latest issue of the newsletter, the company provided some photos of upcoming additions to their “Iraq and Afghanistan” line under the “Modern Forces” range.

The photos below show some test castings. (Click on the images for larger versions.)

According to the newsletter, these models portray the US Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, although they can also be used for Afghanistan. The pictures are still provisional; due to some difficulties with the moulds, some of these figures may not be produced.