Britannia 20mm vs 1/76 Matchbox, WWII

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Matchbox P5006 “British Commandos”

Height (to eyes): 19mm

Height (to top of head): 21mm

Matchbox P5001 “British Infantry”

Height (to eyes): 18mm

THE METAL FIGURES

These particular models come from Britannia’s British World War Two range, but the actual model codes are unclear. 

Height (measured to eyes): 19mm

Height (measured to head): 21mm

Lancashire Games vs Matchbox, WW2 Infantry

The photo above compares three metal soldiers from Lancashire Games (A,C) with a pair of plastic figures from Matchbox (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Lancashire Games’ 20mm WWII American Range. They can be found in set 20/WBP32, which is a large battle pack titled “American Infantry.” The figures can also be found in smaller sets in the range. Lancashire offers 13 different sets of US Infantry, including several modeled in greatcoats. Each code includes several poses. Other US sets in their WW2 range cover the Marines (7 sets) and Paratroops (6 sets).

Figure Characteristics:

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

Availability and Cost:

These figures are currently available from Lancashire Games. Battle packs of 24 figures are sold for £10.50 with a discount for purchases of multiple items. Standard packs with 3 figures sell for £1.50.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation and Number of Poses:

The Matchbox figures come from two different sets: the blue-gray figure on the left is from box P5003 “German Infantry”; and the brown figure to the right is from box P5001 “British Infantry.”

The British Infantry and German box each includes 49 figures in 17 poses, plus a mortar.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
P5003 German Infantry 19mm
P5001 British Infantry 18mm

Availability and Cost:

Matchbox no longer produces these sets. Used figures can be found on eBay or similar places. Complete boxes also come up occasionally, but they sell for high premiums to collectors.

World War Two comparisons at Wargaming.info

The site wargaming.info belongs to an individual who games in a variety of periods. Among the different resources he has posted is a comparison shot of a number of World War Two ranges. The posting can be found here:

http://wargaming.info/2005/20mm-176th-a-172nd-figure-comparison/

Included in his review are the following metal ranges:

Raventhorpe
Hinchliffe
Britannia
Hotspur/Combat Miniatures
AB
SHQ
Liberation

On the plastic side, he includes:
Esci/Italeri
Airfix
Matchbox

WarModelling vs Matchbox, WW2 Infantry

The photo above compares three Second World War figures from Matchbox (in various shades of plastic) with four German paratroops from WarModelling (in black washed metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from WarModelling’s World War Two range. They are part of set WW22, titled “German Fallschirmjägers (CRETE)”. This is a boxed set with 22 figures in unique poses, plus a small mortar.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build (from 5 categories): C (Average).

Availability and Cost:

The WarModelling figures are currently available. They can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Cost from manufacturer: 19.50 EUR for the complete box.

Notes on the Samples:

The figures were kindly supplied by the manufacturer.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The Matchbox figures come from three different sets: the green figure on the left is from box P5006 “British Commandos”; the blue-gray figure in the centre is from box P5003 “German Infantry”; and the brown figure to the right is from box P5001 “British Infantry.”

The British Infantry and German box each includes 49 figures in 17 poses, plus a mortar. The Commando box has 46 figures in 19 poses, as well as a rubber dinghy and a couple of ladders.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
P5006 Commandos 18mm
P5003 German Infantry 19mm
P5001 British Infantry 18mm
Body Build (from 5 categories): B (Slender).

Availability and Cost:

Matchbox no longer produces these sets. Used figures can be found on eBay or similar places. Complete boxes also come up occasionally, but they sell for high premiums to collectors.

Notes on the samples:

The commando figure was donated by Liam Sullivan.

General Notes:

See the side panel lists for websites of the manufacturers, distributors and retailers mentioned above. To convert cost figures to your currency, use a site such as xe.com, also listed in the side panel.