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Thursday, 28 July 2011

1/72 Caesar Modern US plastic figures compared to 20mm Elhiem pewter figures

While there are many 20mm (or 1/72) sources to get figures from it seems that Elhiem and Caesar are somehow the most common to be found on gaming tables recently. The questions occurs again and again - how do pewter figs from Elhiem compare to "true" 1/72 scale plastics?

Brian (from the Hobbyden - see link in the right column) has done a nice shot to compare them both and allowed me to use these pictures (thanks, mate!).

First off, Brian started to show us what comes with the cheap box of Caesar's 1/72 "modern US" set. There are some really nices poses included and for the really good price of just a single box they might be good for a lot of people to get started with "moderns". The cost of a single box of Caesar figures should be lower than 10 Euro and it holds 42 (!!) figures. Caesar figures are in perfect 1/72 scale. What Brian doesn't like about them are the helmets - in his opinion they could have been done better.

Now with the second pic, Brian shows us that Matt's pewter figures (Elhiem) are a perfect match of the plastics. While they are a tad chunkier (due to the material used) in my opinion they would mix perfectly. After all, humans come in different sizes, too. I have an US Army force that uses both, pewter figs from various sources and also Caesar's plastics. While opinions differ, I think especially the plastic sets from Caesar are a good way into the hobby. You can also get "insurgents" in a box of around 40 figures.

What troubles me with the Caesar plastics is the strange way how they include weapon options into their sets - the "modern US" for example includes the heavy .50cal sniper rifle but no spotter figure. It also has no M249 SAW included but M240 Medium MGs.

To build correct forces with those boxes you'll need to get yourself the other sets available from Caesar - just for some SAWs. :-( But when you do, you get various weapon options for a good price. Caesar plastics aren't as flimsy as others (Revell for example), they paint up rather nice.

Monday, 18 July 2011

HUMINT, July 2011, Vol. 2: new releases for gaming "moderns"

HUMINT = human intelligence. A new series of posts on my blog about news of various tabletop miniature producing companies concerning "moderns". The pictures were taken off the producers' catalogues with their prior permission. Cheers for that guys! Links to their webshops can be found within the right column of my blog (see sources for 20mm....).

Byzantinum Models releases for July:


another adobe from Rob

S&S Models releases for July:



African civilians (women)

Insurgent drivers - these are half figures that can be attached to the sides of diecast or resin vehicles.


African block of toilets



Shanty shop/cafe


"Police Station" kind of building.


8 ft container.

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Ambush Alley: Force on Force Official Figures

Matt announced the following today:

Elhiem Figures is very proud to announce they are now the Official Modern Figures for the rules of modern conflict; Ambush Alley: Force on Force!
As the Official Modern Figures for Force on Force, Elhiem Figures will be working closely with Ambush Alley to flesh out existing ranges and provide figures for future releases.

We will be updating our website this week with the news as well as our first changes of existing ranges to harmonise them with FoF army lists.
The first changes will be to remove the existing OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) US infantry and replace them with IBA (interceptor Body Armour) range. The IBA will consist of new and re-worked OIF figures placed into packs that will expand the original line and make picking your figures for FoF easier.
The new IBA range will have sniper teams, a medic, NCO's, JTAC and mortar teams.
In addition we will start FoF Battle Packs, pre picked packs that will allow you to buy all you need to start playing (other than paint and preparation).

Sunday, 10 July 2011

HUMINT, July 2011, Vol. 1: new releases for gaming "moderns"

HUMINT = human intelligence. A new series of posts on my blog about news of various tabletop miniature producing companies concerning "moderns". The pictures were taken off the producers' catalogues with their prior permission. Cheers for that guys! Links to their webshops can be found within the right column of my blog (see sources for 20mm....).

TheHobbyDen releases for July:


Israeli Jeep with TOW launcher


Byzantinum Models releases for July:

Rob wrote:

Finally we have the first sets of buildings out of the moulds for the new Byzantium range of Arabic buildings. intended orginally to represent poor rural communities the inspiration for the masters comes mostly from Afghanistan, although many of the features are common to this type of housing from North Africa across to the Middle-East. As usual we tend towards smaller houses based around the games we play, however we have some larger models due for release soon...All the roof's are removeable - and the walls have a nice subtle uneven surface which is typical, with some rendering crumbling away to reveal the hand made bricks beneath...









Saturday, 9 July 2011

Wargaming "Africa" - some miniature comparisons. EDITED edition.

Thanks to Jose V. once again for taking some pictures of his selection of 20mm pewter miniatures for African conflicts. Jose has now added the excellent S&S miniatures that were released just recently over the last few month.

Click the images to see them in full size.


From left: Elhiem; S&S (Shaun was worried these being youth elements); 2 Liberation Miniatures (to get the full spectrum), Mutineer and Flashing Blade (by now, I believe, OOP).

Now more pictures for those with measurements in mind...

...each small square is 1mm.


My kudos to Jose for allowing me to use his pictures. Thanks, mate. ;-)

Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Tomorrow's War: official cover revealed

Shawn, Robby and Peggy have revealed the official front cover artwork for the forthcoming (although delayed by one month) Tomorrow's War game.
Some guys were faster (thank you, dear workmates) posting this (cheers to Dropship Horizon's crew) - but hey.... you can't have everything. :-D

Sunday, 26 June 2011

HUMINT, June 2011, Vol. 3: new releases for gaming "moderns"

HUMINT = human intelligence. A new series of posts on my blog about news of various tabletop miniature producing companies concerning "moderns". The pictures were taken off the producers' catalogues with their prior permission. Cheers for that guys! Links to their webshops can be found within the right column of my blog (see sources for 20mm....).

S&S Models releases for June:


Sat Comm Link equipment
Modern Trial/Enduro bike


ATVs, four and six-wheeled. Trailer with various loads.



ATV trailer, comes with different loads.


TheHobbyDen releases for June:

Israeli M113.


Thursday, 23 June 2011

Grubby Tanks and Britannia Miniatures - June 2011 update

On the behalf of Piers, I post this in my blog to let you know about Andy Grubb working hard on getting Britannia Miniatures back into action!

written by Piers Brand » 23 June 2011, 09:57


Guys,Spoke to Andy last night and he wanted me to let people know he is very busy but working like a demon to get through things! He is recently back from holidays and is working flat out to clear orders and set up Britannia Miniatures. He is getting emails and is trying to reply as soon as he can - So bear with him for a little while longer, he is flat out! He is also trying to get the GrubbyTanks site illustrated with as many pictures as possible.

But his hard work is bearing fruition...

http://www.britannia-miniatures.com/catalog/

Yes, the new Britannia Miniatures website is up, though its still got an awful lot of work to be done on it, this will give you some idea of his plans for the future. Andy is trying to add all Britannia ranges to this site, so you may well see some old forgotten ranges coming back! Im going to be supplying images for the ranges as much as I can, so Andy to hopes to have a good selection of things illustrated to start with.

So maintain your patience and keep your eyes peeled! Andy is almost there!

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

Tomorrow's War release date has changed

Our Sci-Fi rules "Tomorrow's War" that were supposed to be released in September suffer from a delay of one month.

Shawn Carpenter, head of Ambush Alley Games said today:

Sorry, guys. We've just learned that Tomorrow's War's release date has slid from September 18th to October 18th. The slip was unavoidable in order for the printers to deliver us a book of the quality that we expect you to expect.
Fear not regarding our debut at Recruits in September, however. We will be receiving a quantity of books in advance to support the debut - so the book will be available for purchase from us at the Fall Recruits convention in Lee's Summit, MO, September 9th - 11th.
We're very sorry for the delay, but I assure you it was necessary and the improved product will be worth the extra 30 day!
Best wishes,
Shawn, Robby, & Peggy

Monday, 13 June 2011

Tomorrow's War meets Battletech: new reinforcements on the painting table (WIP)

The latest shipment of Dougram toys (Takara Nippon Sunrise figures) and ExoSquad 3inch figures has arrived - the old 80's designs that were used to depict the Mechs called Rifleman, Warhammer, Longbow and Shadowhawk. Four more figures are en route to me, bringing my collection of 15mm compatible war-walkers to a total of 25+ !!!

Saturday, 11 June 2011

HUMINT, June 2011, Vol. 2: new releases for gaming "moderns"

HUMINT = human intelligence. A new series of posts on my blog about news of various tabletop miniature producing companies concerning "moderns". The pictures were taken off the producers' catalogues with their prior permission. Cheers for that guys! Links to their webshops can be found within the right column of my blog (see sources for 20mm....).

Elhiem Figures release that I forgot to post last week:


Soviet VDV in Afghanistan

TheHobbyDen releases for June 2011:
20mm resin gaming models. Painted by Piers Brand.


WC53 Power Wagon

M113


Mercedes 260SL as in use as taxi cab in many middle eastern countries

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Wargaming "Africa" - some miniature comparisons.

I would like to start with saying "thanks!" to Jose V. for taking this pic. He had opened a topic at the Guild about miniatures for gaming "Africa" in 20mm.
I don't own any on my own at this time, but thought it would be a handy resource for you guys out there to look at for some of the forthcoming books from Ambush Alley Games in 2012 ("Day Of The Rangers" and "African Bush Wars").
So, Jose shows us some of the miniature producers that currently have a line of miniatures with typical African appearance. I should point out to the latest S&S Models' releases for Africa that aren't included in the above pic. You can find those by following the HUMINT series of articles or clicking the appropriate label listed.

Thursday, 2 June 2011

HUMINT, June 2011, Vol. 1: new releases for gaming "moderns"

HUMINT = human intelligence. A new series of posts on my blog about news of various tabletop miniature producing companies concerning "moderns". The pictures were taken off the producers' catalogues with their prior permission. Cheers for that guys! Links to their webshops can be found within the right column of my blog (see sources for 20mm....).




TheHobbyDen releases for June 2011:



20mm resin gaming models. Painted by Piers Brand.



T-72 tank. Resin hull with metal barrel.




Elhiem Figures new releases for June 2011:


TAL06 AQ Shadow Army


SF06 Veteran Advisors


OSP04 Female MPs (UK) with dogs



OSP03 modern UK forces


OSP02 modern UK forces



OBJ03 US door gunners (two dismounted)


NKVD01




IDF02 Israeli soldiers


FP07 French Paratrooper mortar crew



FP07 Pilots, 1950-1960s


FP05 French Parartroopers carrying wounded comrade




FP04 French Paratrooper light MG teams on the move

CWR05 cold war Russians with AT-4 guided AT-missile


CWR04 cold war Russians with heavy DShK machine gun and two crew



CWR03 soviet infantry (cold war) in camo suits





CWR02 cold war Soviet infantry in body armour



CWR01 Soviet cold war era infantry in basic webbing


BWG01 armed femals