Showing posts with label Comparing War of 1812 Figures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comparing War of 1812 Figures. Show all posts

Monday, 28 April 2014

Comparing War of 1812 Figures

My intent here is to compare figure manufacturers; not criticize. They are all artists, and all ranges have pros and cons.

Figure Review

Size of Average Figures from largest to Smallest
Front Rank; not recommended for 1812 because they do not mix well with others
Victrix
Plastic Perry = Musket and Tomahawk = Conquest Miniatures (Indians) = Brigade Games= Warlord Games
Knuckleduster = Crusader Miniatures (Indians) = Some Old Glory=Most Metal Perry
Most Old Glory = Wargames Foundry
                        
Figure Pose Quality from Best to "Least Best"
Perry
Muskets and Tomahawks = Conquest Miniatures=Brigade Games=Warlord Games
Victrix = Some Knuckleduster = Some Old Glory = Some Wargames Foundry
Some Knuckleduster = Some Old Glory = Some Wargames Foundry

Metal / Plastic Quality from Best to Least
Knuckleduster
Perry = Musket and Tomahawk
Old Glory
Victrix = Brigade Games = Warlord Games

Perry Miniatures
-plastic early British Infantry, late British infantry
-rifles, light infantry
-late British Light Dragoons
-British Colonels
-some AWI natives
-plastic AWI can make some militia units; Virginia, DC
-AWI cavalry fits Canadian and US militia cavalry

PerryConversion Possibilities *only worth it because they are so nice
-AWI British legion cavalry easily converted to Canadian Light Dragoons
-plastic british can be converted, with a lot of work into american infantry
-Belgian metal line can be converted into late american infantry
-Belgian, Nassau and Dutch generals easily made into american generals
-plastic riflemen easily made into Glengarry LI
-Carlist War rocket troops easily converted to Marine rockets
Pros
-the best poses, historically accurate
-great price, especially for plastics
-good quality metal and plastic
Cons
-plastics are large; a little larger than most of the 1812 figures from other companies. Their metal ranges fit well with knuckleduster. 

Front Rank
-early British Infantry
-early British Artillery
-British Colonels and Generals
-late British Infantry
Pros
-very nice poses
Cons
-very tall and bulky
-very expensive

Knuckleduster
*They make everything
Pros
-they have the largest range by far
-excellent, durable metal
-fantastic service; Forrest Harris will even change up packs for you
-size is between Perry and Old Glory so mixes well with both
-marching units and horses are very well done
-historically accurate
-good prices 
Cons
-some units not as well sculpted as others

Old Glory
*they make almost everything, though they are 25mm scale
Pros
-cheap, fairly large range
-some units are very nice ex) Canadian Voltigeurs, US Rifles
Cons
- horses are very tiny
-the size ranges, the smallest are quite small
-some errors; US infantry with blanket roll, wrong plume on US Light Dragoons

Wargames Foundry
Pros
American volunteers are nice
Cons
-smallest of all,  may mix well with Old Glory
-expensive and hard to find
-small range of Americans
-limited range of poses

Brigade Games
-late war American infantry
-late war Scott's brigade
*both of the above available in marching and shooting line but only one command for each
-late war American Rifles
-late war American Artillery; only 12 pounders
-American Generals x2
-Canadian Voltigeurs
-Sedentary Militia
-Mohawks with Indian Dept.
-early British Light Dragoons
-early British infantry
-early British Artillery
-round hat / Canadian militia 
-mounted British colonels
-navy figures

Pros
-they are as nice as Perry for the most part
-match perfectly with Perry for size
Cons
-not all troop types have commands
-very bendy metal; at least with 2 of the units I have

Warlord Games
-marching early and late war British infantry
-Royal Horse Artillery Rockets (Good for New Orleans only, or could be converted to Marine Rockets)
-British command figures
-extra command groups for British infantry

Pros
-combined with Perry you get cheap plastic shooting and marching guys

Cons
-very brittle plastic

Muskets and Tomahawks
-Indians
-French sedentary militia in winter clothing 
-voyageurs

Pros
-very nice poses and sculpting 
-good quality metal

Cons
-None