From left to right: Battle Honours British Infantry, Foundry British Commando, Crusader German Infantry, Chiltern Miniatures German Infantry, West Wind US Infantry, Black Tree Design German Infantry, Alpha Miniatures French Infantry.
In the past, anyone starting to wargame World War 2 would most likely be looking at using either 15mm or 20mm scale to do so.
A more recent trend in gaming has been away from large-scale engagements to smaller, skirmish actions. These actions are ideal for gaming in a larger scale, and the 28mm figure market seems to have grown accordingly - to such an extent that a newcomer is faced with a multitude of figures from some 15 different companies.
This article is an attempt to bring together several years of experience so that anyone new to the genre can use this article as a starting point.
Figures
There are now several suppliers of metal figures for World War II. Some ranges are more extensive than others, whilst some smaller ranges have better figures. Not all the ranges available are compatible with each other, so the following figure details should give you some idea of sculpting quality, size and compatibility of most of the ranges currently available.
Overview
Figures from Artizan, Chiltern and 1st Corps are compatible with each other, but with none of the other ranges.
Of the other ranges, Foundry, Black Tree and Crusader fit each other well, whilst Battle Honours fit quite well with the above ranges, or with West Wind. As a general rule, size differences of more than 1mm or 2mm in this scale tend to look odd when the figures are placed together in the same unit, but you may be able to get away with the difference if they are grouped together in different units.
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From left to right: Battle Honours British Infantry, Foundry British Commando, Crusader German Infantry, Chiltern Miniatures German Infantry, West Wind US Infantry, Black Tree Design German Infantry, Alpha Miniatures French Infantry. |
Alpha Miniatures
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
30mm |
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Figures Available |
British Infantry, French Infantry, Polish Infantry & Cavalry, Civilians (armed and unarmed) German Troops: Gebirgsjager, Volksstrum, Handschar, Cavalry and a Field Kitchen. |
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Comments |
The figure range available from Alpha is more unusual than most – and this alone will give some appeal to their miniatures, especially form anyone who enjoys gaming WW2 during the 1939-40 period. The sculpting has a style that is consistent across the range – it’s clean and quite detailed. However, they do not compare well with their competitors, and the figures do seem to suffer from a slight problem with proportion. Each pack contains 8 figures |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
$1.28 (approx. £0.80) |
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Contact Details |
Alpha Miniatures 68 Lavery Place Mairangi Bay Auckland New Zealand +64 9 4782322 |
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Web site |
Artizan Design
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
34mm |
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Figures Available |
British 8th Army, British Commandos, SAS Afrika Korps Italian Infantry French: Tirallieur Senegalais, Foreign Legion US Infantry |
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Comments |
These figures are well and accurately detailed, well-proportioned and cleanly cast. They are supplied in packs of either 4 or 8 models – however, the packs of 8 models contain 4 pairs of figures, rather than 8 individual models. The range currently spans the Western Desert Conflict, but looks set to grow in coming months. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£1 / £1.25 |
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Contact Details |
Artizan Designs 5 Springwells |
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Web site |
Battle Honours
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
30mm |
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Figures Available |
British Paratroops, British Infantry, British Commandos, Chindits, Western Desert Commonwealth (British, Australian, Sikhs, Punjabis, Gurkhas). US Infantry, US Paratroops, US Marines Russian Infantry (summer/winter) Early war French Finnish Waffen SS, Early War German Infantry, Late War German Infantry, Fallschirmjager, Afika Corps Japanese Imperial Army Italian Infantry (European/North African), Bersaglieri, Alpini |
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Comments |
The range of miniatures supplied by Battle Honours should be able to keep almost anyone happy. They cover almost every theatre, and are releasing new packs on a regular basis. Battle Honours offer squad packs as standard – these packs of 10 figures include everything for a ‘standard’ WW2 infantry squad – SL & ASL, support weapon and riflemen. Usually available in packs of 8 or 10 figures. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£0.75 - £0.94 |
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Contact Details |
The General's Store, |
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Web site |
Black Tree Design
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
31mm |
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Figures Available |
German Wehrmacht, Fallschirmjager, Afrika Korps, Waffen SS Russian Infantry, NKVD, Russian Naval Infantry, Partisans Italian Infantry US Infantry, US Paratroops Free French, French Resistance British Infantry, British Paratroops, British Commandos ‘Men Of War’ – famous characters of WWII |
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Comments |
The original models (US, German and Russian) are excellent. Some of the later figures are not quite of the same standard, but the figures are generally very good. Usually available in packs of eight figures. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£0.94 |
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Contact Details |
Black Tree Design 10 Larch Close +44(0)1736 351 472 |
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Web site |
http://www.black-tree-design.com/index.html |
Chiltern Miniatures
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
34mm |
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Figures Available |
German Heer Russian Army British Army |
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Comments |
These are large figures in every way, being very bulky, and having features that are charicature in nature. A style that might not be to everyone’s liking, but the sculpting is detailed and accurate. Each pack contains 4 figures. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£1.06 |
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Contact Details |
1 Elmbourne Road (0181) 673 9069 |
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Web site |
sales@chilternminiatures.co.uk Website not yet available |
Crusader Miniatures
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
31mm |
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Figures Available |
Early War British Infantry Early War French Infantry Early War German Infantry |
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Comments |
These are some of the newest figures on the market, and are very good. The sculptor is concentrating on the early war period (1940), but the accuracy and detail of the figures are excellent. – However, the packs of 8 models contain 4 pairs of figures, rather than 8 individual models. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£1.00 |
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Contact Details |
CRUSADER MINIATURES |
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Web site |
http://www.crusaderminiatures.com/ |
Foundry
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
31mm |
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Figures Available |
British Paratroops, British Commandos, British Home Guard, Chindits German Infantry, Fallschirmjager |
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Comments |
The range is quite small (a total of just over 30 packs), but the quality of the sculpting and the detail and accuracy of kit is superb. Each pack contains 8 figures |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£1.06 |
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Contact Details |
The Foundry 23-34 St. Marks Street Nottingham UK NG3 1DE |
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Web site |
http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/main.asp |
West Wind Miniatures
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
29mm |
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Figures Available |
German Infantry, Waffen SS, Fallschirmjager, Volkstrumm US Infantry, US Paratroops, US Marines Japanese Imperial Army Russian Infantry, Russian Cavalry French Resistance British Infantry, British Paratroops Italian Infantry |
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Comments |
Probably one of the largest (and cheapest) selections of models on the market at the moment. The quality of the figures can be a little mixed – some of the poses seem strange and the accuracy of the kit worn isn’t always 100%. Most packs contain 8 figures, but some contain 10. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£0.60 - £0.75 |
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Contact Details |
West Wind Productions P.O. Box 178 +44 (0)1457 879330 |
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Web site |
Amazon Miniatures
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
Unknown – figure sample not available |
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Figures Available |
German Infantry Russian Infantry |
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Comments |
The company produce figures in both metal and resin. The variety of figures is small, but they do produce a boxed game of their ‘Stalingrad’ rules, complete with miniatures. Packs contain 10 figures. |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£0.80 |
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Contact Details |
Amazon Miniatures Chaseley, 10 Longley Drive (0161) 794 5279 |
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Web site |
1st Corps
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Figure Size (Base to top of head/helmet) |
Unknown – figure sample not available |
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Figures Available |
German Infantry, Waffen SS, Fallschirmjager British Infantry, British Paratroops Russian Infantry US Marines Japanese Infantry |
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Comments |
The figures appear quite large and bulk, so should mix well with Chiltern Miniatures |
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Average Figure Price (excluding postage) |
£0.75 |
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Contact Details |
1st Corps Ltd |
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Web site |
http://www.1stcorps.co.uk/ |
Vehicles.
Whilst figure scales vary, the scale of vehicles is a little more clear cut. Most vehicles available fall into one of three scales: 1/60, 1/50, 1/48 or 1/43. Vehicles tend to be available in one of four different types. Metal, resin, die-cast or plastic.
Plastic kits tend to be among the cheapest available vehicles, varying between £5 and £12, depending upon what you want. They are manufactured by Frog/Fuman and Academy, and are usually 1/48th scale. Their availability over recent times is declining, due primarily to the fact that Frog/Fuman has ceased production on many of their kits.
Die-cast vehicles are generally the next most expensive, although this may vary due to availability of certain vehicles. The primary suppliers of WWII vehicles are Solido and Verem.
The scale of the vehicles tend to vary slightly, being generally either 1/50th, 1/48th or 1/43rd – generally known as ‘box’ scale, as the size of the vehicle depends on how it can fit in the box.
Whilst the vehicles themselves may not appeal to more discerning modellers, due to a lack of detail, they are more than adequate for most gamers – and have the added advantage of being supplied ready-painted, so they are ready to be deployed on the table straight from the box.
In the die-cast market, it is also important not to ignore toyshops – toy car manufacturers such as Maisto produce some useful models (such as jeeps) in their ranges. These can be found for as little as £1 a vehicle.
At the more expensive end of the vehicle market are metal and resin models. The metal models are cast lead or white metal, and the resin models tend to have resin bodies with metal parts. The range of these models is now quite extensive, and covers a far greater range of vehicles than is available as either model kits or die-cast vehicles.
All Fronts Armor Depot
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Metal / Lead alloy |
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Range |
33 Russian Vehicles 100 German Vehicles 31 US Vehicles 6 French Vehicles 5 Italian Vehicles 10 Japanese Vehicles 22 British Vehicles |
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Cost |
$11.00 - £19.00 |
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Contact Details |
1110 Cardinal Lane Lantana Florida |
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Web site |
Black Tree Design
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Metal / Lead alloy |
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Range |
26 German Vehicles 7 Russian Vehicles 5 US Vehicles 3 British Vehicles |
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Cost |
£7.50 - £21.00 |
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Contact Details |
Black Tree Design 10 Larch Close +44(0)1736 351 472 |
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Web site |
http://www.black-tree-design.com/index.html |
Battle Honours
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Metal / Lead alloy |
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Range |
26 German Vehicles 9 Russian Vehicles 14 Allied Vehicles 6 Japanese Vehicles |
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Cost |
£7.50 - £23.00 |
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Contact Details |
The General's Store, |
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Web site |
Force Of Arms
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Vehicle Scale |
1/60th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Resin and Metal |
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Range |
5 Russian Vehicles 4 French Vehicles 4 German Vehicles 7 British Vehicles - All vehicles are early war era. |
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Cost |
£5.00 - £14.75 |
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Contact Details |
17 Oakfield Drive |
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Web site |
S&S Models
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Vehicle Scale |
1/60th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Resin and Metal |
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Range |
12 Allied Vehicles 8 German Vehicles 3 Russian Vehicles |
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Cost |
£12.50 - £15.00 |
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Contact Details |
22 BRIAR CLOSE, |
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Web site |
West Wind Productions
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Vehicle Scale |
1/60th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Resin and Metal |
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Range |
5 German Vehicles 8 Russian Vehicles 10 Allied Vehicles |
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Cost |
£8.00 - £18.50 |
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Contact Details |
West Wind Productions P.O. Box 178 +44 (0)1457 879330 |
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Web site |
Foundry
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Metal / Lead alloy |
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Range |
4 German Vehicles |
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Cost |
£8.50 |
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Contact Details |
The Foundry 23-34 St. Marks Street Nottingham UK NG3 1DE |
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Web site |
http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/main.asp |
Parabellum
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Plastic |
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Range |
11 German Vehicles 3 Allied Vehicles |
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Cost |
£4.99 - £9.99 |
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Contact Details |
54 Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6HR, UK Telephone: 0121 551 8810 |
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Web site |
http://www.parabellum.co.uk/ |
North Star Figures
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Plastic & Resin |
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Range |
14 German Vehicles 4 Allied Vehicles 2 Russian Vehicles |
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Cost |
£8.00 - £36.00 |
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Contact Details |
131 Highfields Road 44 (0)115 8544265 [10 am - 5 pm] |
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Web site |
Amazon Miniatures
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th & 1/60th Scale |
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Construction Material |
Resin & metal |
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Range |
1 German Vehicle 1 Russian Vehicle |
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Cost |
£12.50 - £15.00 |
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Contact Details |
Amazon Miniatures Chaseley, 10 Longley Drive (0161) 794 5279 |
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Web site |
Quarter Kit
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Vehicle Scale |
1/48th & 1/43rd Scale |
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Construction Material |
Die Cast Metal |
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Range |
Solido & Verem vehicles. 70 different vehicles in total |
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Web site |
There has been much discussion over the past couple of years as to which is the ‘correct’ scale for use with 28mm figures: 1/48th or 1/60th? I don’t intend to add to the discussion here. My only comment is to say this; the scales are not compatible, so as a gamer you must make the decision about which scale you are going to use and then stick with it.
Conclusions
The gamer starting 28mm WW2 gaming has an excellent choice of both figures and vehicles. What supplier(s) to choose really comes down to a choice of war era (early, mid or late), theatre and budget.
With new releases coming onto the market all the time, everyone should be able to find something to suit their particular tastes.
