Qualiticast vs Zvezda, French Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three plastic Guardsmen from Zvezda (A,C,E) with a pair of metal figures from Qualiticast (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Zvezda figures are from box 8030 “French Imperial Old Guards (1804-1815) Grenadiers.” The box contains 41 figures in 12 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

According to PSR, Zvezda released this box in 2005. It is currently available and can be found through various online and local hobby shops and distributors.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic figures were donated by Mike Epting.

Qualiticast vs HaT, French Napoleonic Foot

The photo above compares three plastic figures from HaT, (A,C,E) with a pair of metal miniatures from Qualiticast (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two sets:

C: 8063 “1805 French Light Infantry”
A, E: 8095 “1808-1812 French Line Infantry.”

Box 8063 includes 48 figures in 8 poses. Set 8095 is larger, comprising 100 figures in 17 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

8063 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 19mm.
8063 Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 21mm.

8095 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
8095 Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm.

Availability and Cost:

These boxes are currently available from HaT, and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers.

Notes on the Samples:

The HaT figures were donated by Mike Epting.

Qualiticast vs Airfix, French Napoleonic Infantry

The photo above compares three plastic figures from Airfix (A,C,E) with a pair of metal soldiers from Qualiticast (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation:

The plastic figures were originally released by Airfix in box 01744: “Waterloo French Infantry.” They were subsequently re-released by HaT in box 7008 “Waterloo French Line Infantry.”

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

Airfix has brought these figures back into production recently, as part of the “Waterloo Battle Gift Set.” While they are not currently offering the set separately, boxes can be easily found at dealers.

Qualiticast vs A Call to Arms, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares two plastic British soldiers from A Call to Arms (A,C) with a pair of metal Frenchmen from Qualiticast (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 Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 50 “British Infantry 1815.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Netmerchants sells the box for £4.75.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic samples were donated by Liam Sullivan.

Qualiticast vs Italeri, French Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares two plastic figures from Italeri (A,C) with a pair of metal soldiers from Qualiticast (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 Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Italeri figures come from box 6002, “’Les Bleus’ French Infantry, Napoleonic Wars 1815." The box contains 50 figures in 15 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

Italeri is currently producing this set, which can be found through various plastic model distributors, and at hobby shops.

Notes on the Samples:

The sample figures were donated by Liam Sullivan.

Qualiticast vs Esci, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three plastic figures from Esci (A,C,E) with a pair of metal guardsmen from Qualiticast (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 Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The plastic figures come from two Esci sets:
A: Box 226 “Napoleonic Wars Waterloo 1815, Prussian and Austrian Infantry”
C, E: Box 236 “Napoleonic Wars Russian Grenadiers.”

Each box contains 50 figures in 15 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Box 236 Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.

Availability:

The Esci figures are no longer in production, but used figures are easily found, and unopened boxes still show up occasionally on auction sites.

Notes on the Samples:

The Esci samples were donated by Liam Sullivan and obtained in a trade with Will McNally.

Napoleonic Comparisons at the Trading Department

The Trading Department is one of the sites that I frequent. It was established as a Yahoo group for 1/72 scale wargamers wanting to trade figures. It doesn't get a lot of traffic, since discussion takes place on other fora, but it is the best place to go if you want to trade.

Among the resources at Trading Department, is a small album of comparison photos. (At present there are ten images posted.)

You may need to obtain a membership before you can see the photos. If so, I recommend it.

Today I want to point out the four images that feature Qualiticast comparisons. They were all posted by Michael Epting - the host of the group. They are as follows:

• Qualiticast v Hat, Chausseurs a Cheval
• Qualiticast v Hat, Brunswick Infantry
• Qualiticast v Revell, Prussian Officers
• Qualiticast v Italeri, French Dragoons

In general, the pictures show that Qualiticast figures fit in with their plastic cohorts.