B&B Franco-Prussian War, German forces

These pictures provide a few more views of B&B's German figures from the Franco-Prussian war. The top picture illustrates the poses provided in a typical bagged set. In this case, the poses come from set FPGI-7 “Saxon Grenadiers." The figures are sold in a group of 20 with variant heads.

The lower picture includes one figure from that set (second from left) as well as a general from set FPGS-1 "Prussian Staff mounted," and a gunner from set FPGA-11 “Bavarian 6 pdr gun & crew.” Also in the lower picture are some Emhar plastic troops (gray plastic) and painted Airfix figures.

These models are available from the B&B website: http://www.bandbminiatures.co.uk/ (note that the company changed to this URL fairly recently - so if you have bookmarked the old site it won't work any more). The new website has a lot more photos than used to be available.

I actually purchased my figures from Brookhurst Hobbies. Brookhurst is a good source for metal figures in the US. They have a online store here: http://brookhursthobbies.com/ This is also a recently redesigned site, but using the existing address. However, I can't currently find B&B listed at their site, so perhaps they no longer carry the line.

Airfix / HaT vs B&B, FPW Bavarian foot

The photo above compares three Bavarian artillery figures from B&B Miniatures (second, third, fifth and seventh from the left) with several World War One Airfix figures (re-released by HaT) converted to represent Bavarian infantry of the Franco-Prussian war. Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Airfix figures are conversions which started out as box 01726: “WW1 German Infantry.” They were reissued by HaT as set 7001, with the same name.

The B & B figures come from their Franco-Prussian range, and are listed as FPGA-11 “Bavarian 6 pdr gun & crew.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Airfix/HaT – 21mm
B&B – 20mm

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Airfix/HaT – C (average)
B&B – E (exaggerated)

Overall conclusions:

While some poses from the Airfix set do match tolerably well with the B&B figures, the examples illustrated are not very compatible. The metal figures are sculpted in a very heavy style, while the Airfix/HaT figures are more realistic. This means that the heads on the B&B figures, for instance, are twice the size of those on the plastic models. However, the close height does compensate somewhat, especially as the sculpting on the shorter metal figures makes them seem to be a bit taller than they really are.

Emhar vs B&B, FPW German Infantry

The photo above compares three Saxon infantry figures from B&B Miniatures (unpainted metal) with three Emhar Prussian infantry (gray plastic). Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Emhar figures are from box EM7213: “Prussian Infantry, Franco-Prussian War 1870-71.”

The B & B figures come from their Franco-Prussian range, and are part of set FPGI-7 “Saxon Grenadiers.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Emhar – 22mm
B&B – 20mm

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Emhar – B (slender)
B&B – E (exaggerated)

Overall conclusions:

Given the similar heights, it might be expected that these two sets of German soldiers could mix well. However, the very different sculpting styles undermines that. For instance, the head of a B&B sculpt is twice as high as that of an Emhar model, even though the metal figures is in fact shorter. While some wargamers might be comfortable using the two ranges to produce separate units, any closer mixing will be very obvious.

Airfix vs B&B, Franco-Prussian German Infantry

The photo above compares three German infantry figures from B&B Miniatures (unpainted metal) with several World War One Airfix figures (re-released by HaT) painted as Prussian infantry of the Franco-Prussian war. Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Airfix figures are from box 01726: “WW1 German Infantry.” They were reissued by HaT as set 7001, with the same name.

The B & B figures come from their Franco-Prussian range, and are part of the “FPGI-7 Saxon Grenadiers” set.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Airfix/HaT – 21mm.
B&B – 20mm

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Airfix/HaT – as a whole, this box is rated C (average) although the pose at port arms falls more into the D (somewhat heavy) category.
B&B – E (exaggerated)

Overall conclusions: These two sets of figures go together quite well. The height is very close, and given that the B&B figures have thicker bases, almost unnoticeable. While the metal figures are sculpted in a very heavy style, some of the Airfix poses are compatible. (The standing firing pose on the other hand, are not a good match). The back view of the Airfix/HaT figures show the biggest compatibility problem. As First World War figures they are sculpted either with a “y” strap on their back, or a pack with the greatcoat wrapped around it. To be used for the period forty years earlier, they should have had the greatcoat slung over a shoulder, and be wearing cross belts.

B&B Franco-Prussian, French Sailors

B&B Miniatures offers a complete range of 20mm figures for the Franco-Prussian conflict, many of which are also suitable for other wars of the period. Oddly, the firm currently maintains two distinct websites, with different information on each. The complete listing can be found here:

http://www.bandbminiatures.co.uk/

Look on the same site for a large number of photos of the range.

The image provided above illustrates what the buyer will get in a typical infantry pack. In this case, the figures are from set FPFI-14 "French Marines Advancing." The set included four figures of each of the three poses on the left (with head varieties) plus one each of the command figures on the right - officer, petty officer, standard bearer, bugler.

The set currently retails for 8.80 (UK Pounds), which is 55p per figure. At today's exchange rate that is 80 cents (US) or 98 cents (Canadian).

Click on the picture for a larger version.

Strelets vs B&B, Franco-Prussian French infantry

The photo shows 5 Strelets-R figures in blue plastic, compared with two B&B Miniatures models, in bare metal. Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations: The plastic figures come from Strelets’ set 024 – Crimean War French Light Infantry. The B&B figures are from set FPFI-14 in the Franco-Prussian range – French Marines Advancing.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
The Strelets figures measure 21mm, while the B&B models are 20mm high.

Sculpting style compatibility (on 5 pt scale):
Strelets: C (average).
B&B: E (exaggerated)

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: Since the two figures represent different units, there are no obvious incompatibilities.

Overall conclusions:
Given the similar heights, the two manufacturers can work reasonably well together on a games table. However, B&B’s sculpting style will always stand out on close examination.

Airfix vs B&B, Franco-Prussian French Infantry

Figures in the image (left to right) are:

• 2 unpainted figures from Airfix/HaT
• 1 painted figure from Airfix/HaT
• 2 unpainted metal figures from B&B
• 3 painted figures from Airfix/HaT.
  

Manufacturers’ designations: The Airfix/Hat figures were originally released by Airfix as set 01710 “Foreign Legion.” This is the 2nd version of that set. They were reissued by HaT as set 7012 “Foreign Legion.” The B&B figures are from set FPFI-14 “French Marines Advancing.”

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Airfix/HaT 21mm
B & B: 20mm

Sculpting style compatibility (on 5 pt scale):
Airfix/Hat: C (average).
B&B: E (exaggerated).

Compatibility of uniform, equipment, etc: The plastic figures are intended for service in North Africa and so are wearing the neck cloth. (For use in the Franco Prussian war, this should be carved off.)

Overall compatibility: With the very strong height correlation, but distinct sculpting styles, these figures are reasonably compatible. Since there are no plastic French Marines, the B&B figures do fill a hole in available troop types.

Figure availability: The plastic figures are currently available from HaT through all their normal distribution channels. The B&B figures are also in production and available from the manufacturer and select distributors.

About the image. The painted figures in the image were originally finished in the late 70s or early 80s, and show the biggest problem with painted figures from that era – flaking. These days, techniques for keeping paint on figures have improved remarkably, and some manufactures are using plastic which holds the paint much more easily. Check out some of the links on the sidebar to find out more.

Click on the image for a larger version.

HaT vs B&B, Franco-Prussian French Infantry

The HaT figures (in grey above) come from HaT's set 8004 - ACW Union Zouaves. Although clearly envisioned as an American Civil War set originally, HaT tweaked this set so that it included several packs as separate items. This made it even more useful as a way to depict French Zouaves or Tirailleurs.

The metal B&B figures interspersed with them are again from set FPFI-14 (French Marines Advancing).

In this case, the two types of figures match very closely on height, but almost look like two different species otherwise. The HaT poses are remarkable slender - they look slight beside other plastic figures as well.

Click on the image for a larger version.

B&B Franco-Prussian French Marines

B&B Miniatures is a British firm that offers 20mm ranges covering several interesting conflicts, including the Franco-Prussian War. Their coverage of that war is extensive, and figures are sold in packs with a variety of poses, some of which include head variants. The B&B website can be found here:

B&B Miniatures

The B&B troops do fit in well with some common plastic ranges, as far as height goes. However, the sculpting style is an exaggerated one, similar to what can be seen in many metal ranges in other scales. It does give the B&B troops character, but will cause some wargamers to resist mixing them into plastic armies. (I think it can be seen most clearly in the figure third from the left above.)

The image above compares some figures from B&B's "French Marines advancing" (FPFI-14) with a number of other sources for figures. More detailed comparisons will follow for the plastic figures included. The figures in the picture are (from left to right):

• Two figures from Airfix's French Foreign Legion (reissued by HaT)
• One of the B&B figures
• A HaT Zouave (nominally for the ACW, but useful for French forces as well)
• The officer from the B&B pack
• A Guard figure from Scruby
• A French Light Infantry figure from Strelets
• Another marine from B&B

As always, click on the picture for a larger version.