Newline 20mm vs Atlantic 1/72, Ancient Greek foot

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

Newline Design offers a very large range of figures representing conflicts in the ancient world. Its Greek line includes 22 different types, both foot and mounted, while the Persian range is only slightly smaller with 21 types. 

Figures Characteristics

ANG 3 (Greek) Height (to eyes):  20mm

ANG 3 (Greek) Height (to top of head):  22mm

ANP 14 (Persian) Height (to eyes):  20mm

ANP 14 (Persian) Height (to top of head):  22mm

Availability and Cost (as at October 2013):

Foot figures are sold in packs of four, for £1.90.  In addition, the firm offers army deals at significant discounts.

The Newline website is here:

http://newlinedesigns.co.uk/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two sets originally produced by Atlantic.  The figure on the left is from set 1508 “The Greeks: Greek life in the Acropolis.”  The other figure comes from set 1509 “The Greeks: The Greek Army.”  Nexus has re-released the latter set as box ATL05 “Greek Infantry.”  The set includes 64 figures in 8 poses.  They have also re-released set 1508 which is now called ATL14 “Ancient Life.”  This set includes 42 figures in 7 poses, along with some other items. 

Figures Characteristics

1508 Height (to eyes):  23mm

1508 Height (to top of head):  25mm

1509 Height (to eyes):  23mm

1509 Height (to top of head):  25mm

Availability and Cost

These figures originated in the 1970s, and production ended with the close down of Atlantic in 1984.  The figures were unavailable for about a decade before Nexus obtained the rights and moulds, and started to re-issue them. In recent years, Nexus was purchased by Italeri, but the old Atlantic figures have not remained in production.

20mm Platoon 20, WWI vs 1/72 Atlantic Nexus, Russian Revolution

THE METAL FIGURES


Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures are from Platoon 20, currently manufactured by East Riding Miniatures. These two figures are found in pack G-G1 “German Infantry Command (Pickelhaube).” This code includes 4 figures in 3 poses. Platoon 20’s First World War range covers Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany and Russia. The German contingent includes 8 codes, 2 of which are mounted. Some of the figures in this range were previously manufactured by Lancashire Games

Figure Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

East Riding Miniatures sell most of the Platoon 20 figures in packages of 4, with multiples poses, for £2.50.

The website can be found here:

http://shop.eastridingminiatures.co.uk/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from Atlantic set 9009, “Lenin-Stalin, Russian Revolution.” The set was reissued by Nexus as ATL-09 “Russian Revolution.”

Atlantic issued most of their sets in different sized packages with varying number of poses. Available poses included 8 figures on foot, one mounted officer and other accessories. The Nexus box includes 3 copies of each of these items.

Figure Characteristics:

Atlantic described the figures as HO scale, while Nexus used the designation 1/72 scale on their package.

Height measured to eyes: 17mm.
Height measured to top of head: 19mm

Availability and Cost:

Atlantic first produced these figures in the 1970s and they have been out of business for a long time. It is not clear whether Nexus remains in business, but their figures can be found at specialized retailers.

Notes on the Samples:

The Atlantic figures were generously donated by Liam Sullivan.

1/72 Newline Goths vs 1/72 Atlantic Romans

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

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Newline Designs figures come from one of their special 1/72nd scale range, and so are larger than the more numerous 20mm figures offered. These particular samples are cataloged as item 2G04, “Gothic Archers.” They are part of the “Dark Ages” line which also Franks, Huns and late period Romans.

Figures Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

Newline Design figures are currently in production, and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Foot figures are sold in packs of four, for £2.00. In addition, the firm offers packs of 24 figures for £9.50.

The Newline website is here:

http://newlinedesigns.co.uk/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two of Atlantic’s boxes:

A. Set 1515 “The Romans: The Roman Legion”
C. Set 1517 “The Romans: Gladiators and Christians”

Atlantic issued most of their sets in different sized packages. Set 1515 came in a large 92 piece box with 15 poses, while the large box for set 1517 included 64 pieces. Poses for the later set included a lion, and tiger as well as various gladiators, officials, audience members and victims (the latter on multiple figure stands).

Figure Characteristics:

1517 Height (measured to eyes): 21mm.
1515 Height (measured to eyes): 22mm
1517 Height (measured to top of head): 23mm.
1515 Height (measured to top of head): 24mm

Availability and Cost:

Atlantic is long out of production, and no other maker has reissued either of these sets.

Notes on the Samples:

The Atlantic figures were generously donated by Liam Sullivan.

Garrison, G&B vs Atlantic, Roman foot

The photo above compares three metal Romans from Garrison and Greenwood & Ball (A,C,E) with two plastic figures from Atlantic (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

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two of Atlantic’s boxes:

B. Set 1517 “The Romans: Gladiators and Christians”
D. Set 1515 “The Romans: The Roman Legion”

Atlantic issued most of their sets in different sized packages. Set 1515, came in a large 92 piece box with 15 poses, while the large box for set 1517 included 64 pieces. Poses for the later set included a lion, and tiger as well as various gladiators, officials, audience members and victims (the latter on multiple figure stands).

Figure Characteristics:

1517 Height (measured to eyes): 21mm.
1515 Height (measured to eyes) 22mm

Availability and Cost:

Atlantic is long out of production, and no other maker has reissued either of these sets. They can still be found in some second hand shops, and on eBay though.

Notes on the Samples:

The Atlantic figures were generously donated by Liam Sullivan.

SHQ & Kennington vs Atlantic & W1815, ACW Cavalry

The photo above compares two metal cavalry troopers from SHQ (A,C) with two plastic cavalry figures (B,D) originally released by Atlantic. Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures are sold by both SHQ and Kennington, and are catalogued as CWC 30 “Rush’s Lancers at rest.” The ACW range from these two firms is quite extensive, and includes 75 foot poses, 29 cavalry poses (about half of them dismounted), six artillery crew poses, and two guns.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 20mm.

Availability and Cost:

The metal figures can be purchased directly from the two manufacturers. The cavalry featured here sell for £4.50 at SHQ. For that price, you get 3 horses with 3 riders.

Notes on the Samples:

The metal lancers were generously provided by SHQ.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures are originally from Atlantic’s box 1004 “Far-West Story, 7th Cavalry.” They were later re-released by Nexus as ATL- 03 “U.S. 7th Cavalry.” Finally, Waterloo 1815 used the same figures in two boxes: P004 “US Cavalry” and P005 “Confederate Cavalry.”

The Nexus version has 24 riders in six poses, and 24 horses also in six poses. The Waterloo 1815 boxes are larger, containing 32 riders and horses.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 26mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 20mm.

Availability and Cost:

Despite its age, this set is still in production, and can be found online and in hobby shops. For instance, Hannants has the Waterloo 1815 Confederate box on sale for £3.90.

Atlantic/Nexus vs Irregular, Ancient Middle East

The photo above compares two Atlantic Egyptians (painted plastic) with two Assyrian figures from Irregular (unpainted metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Egyptian figures come from Atlantic’s box 1502 “The Egyptian Army.” They were later re-released by Nexus as set ATL-01, “Egyptian 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):
Atlantic/Nexus – 23mm.
Irregular – 20mm (foot figure).

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Atlantic/Nexus – C (Average)
Irregular – C (Average)

Overall conclusions:
Once again there is a significant height difference between Irregular’s metal soldiers, and the plastic figures reviewed. These figures would not mix easily on the same table.

Note: The paint on the Egyptians is starting to flake with age, not uncommon for figures that were neither undercoated, nor sealed after painting.