Comparing TCS with other Brands (1 Viewer)

[o!erlings]

Hi,
I've just started collecting Toy Soldiers (matte ones). Since I'm just moved my hobby focus from scale modeling and Military Miniature Painting (Pegaso etc.) a bit, I've only bought a few figures yet from King&Country, First Legion, Thomas Gunn and AeroArt.
Since I've haven't seen a TCS Figure in "nature", I can only trust in the pictures on the website.
Some of the figures seam to be quiet glossy (ACW for example). Is this also true on the real ones?

Unfortunately, there are no shops in my country, that offer toy soldiers at all and therefore I'm depending on advices too.
How would you rank the TCS Figures in terms of accuracy, detail and paint job compared to the mentioned above?

Regards from Switzerland
Eric

 

[Rudi Starnberg]

Like anything you get what you pay for. Speaking as a WW2 collector, I think I'd put them below First legion, K& C and Thomas Gunn in that order for paintwork. AeroArt seem on a different plain entirely, and are much more expensive.
I do very much like their Normandy Fallschirmjager range though, excellent poses and sculpts.
Regards

 

[katana]

I consider TCS equivalent in quality to K&C and TG WWII figures. They cannot be compared to First Legion or W. Britains as these are 1/30 scale; not the 1/28 scale of TCS, K&C and TG. The photos compare the figures.
The first photo compares a TCS Jagdpanther on the left to a K&C Jagdpanther on the right. The figures on the Panzers came with the respective models. The figure standing between the Panzers is by K&C.
The second photo compares TCS and K&C figures. The Kingtiger is by TCS. The figure in the turret is by K&C. The 3 figures beside the Panzer are left to right, K&C, TCS and TCS. The figures are equivalent in quality to my eye.
The third and forth photos shows a K&C Jagdpanther. The crew in the vehicle top hatches are by K&C. The reloading crew is by TCS as are the figures with the rangefinder. I collect TCS, K&C and TG figures and they are size compatible and work well together.
The fifth photo compares TG and K&C figures. The PAK 40 gun and crew are by TG. The Panzer II and other figures are by K&C. The Rommel figure on the Panzer III is one of K&C's best figures. The Armored Car Sd.Kfz. 231 was made by New Model Army a predecessor of TG.

 

[bradleyl30]

I find their vehicles a very good fit for K&C and TGM figures. Their figures are a very unique style, and I do not think they mix well with other figures. This is primarily from my WW2 experience.

Their vehicles may not be of exacting engineering and historical standards. They seem to be more representative than actual history. Some angles may not be quite right, a little rough in fit and finish, but many of their earlier vehicles were incredible value for the money.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Comparing Collector's Showcase, they are very compatible with Thomas Gunn and King & Country.
As far as my own experience from these 3 companies buying from each of them WWII figures and vehicles.

Wayne

 

[Rudi Starnberg]

Yes , I certainly agree that ( speaking of ww2 figures) you can display TCS, K&C and Thomas Gunn figures all mixed in together in a display, and any differences in painting quality are miniscule ( in fact just enhancing realism , as there are differences in any mix of people together in a group). They are size compatible.

 

[katana]

I find the TCS Armor to be quite accurate representations of the respective vehicles. I have the Arnhem Tiger I, Tiger II, Stug III, Jagdpanther and M20 Recon Car, all are well made historically accurate models IMO. I also find the detail superior to some other manufacturers models. The big advantage of the TCS Armor is that it is the only Armor made in 1/28 scale, the same scale as TCS, K&C and TG WWII figures. I display my K&C, TCS and TG figures with TCS Armor and they look far more realistic than if they were displayed with other manufacturers 1/30 scale vehicles. I display my Figarti and W. Britains WWII figures with Figarti, K&C and TG 1/30 scale armor.

I really wish all 60mm (1/30) figures were the same relative size; but they are not and as a result you actually must plan dioramas for two different scales or restrict collecting to size compatible manufacturers. Only FL and TCS make figures that are size compatible with their own vehicles scale! I wish Andy and Vicki would explain the arcane reason that both companies vehicles are 1/30 and their figures are 1/28? As the King of Siam said; it is a puzzlement!

I find their vehicles a very good fit for K&C and TGM figures. Their figures are a very unique style, and I do not think they mix well with other figures. This is primarily from my WW2 experience.

Their vehicles may not be of exacting engineering and historical standards. They seem to be more representative than actual history. Some angles may not be quite right, a little rough in fit and finish, but many of their earlier vehicles were incredible value for the money.

 

[joesgis]

I find the TCS Armor to be quite accurate representations of the respective vehicles. I have the Arnhem Tiger I, Tiger II, Stug III, Jagdpanther and M20 Recon Car, all are well made historically accurate models IMO. I also find the detail superior to some other manufacturers models. The big advantage of the TCS Armor is that it is the only Armor made in 1/28 scale, the same scale as TCS, K&C and TG WWII figures. I display my K&C, TCS and TG figures with TCS Armor and they look far more realistic than if they were displayed with other manufacturers 1/30 scale vehicles. I display my Figarti and W. Britains WWII figures with Figarti, K&C and TG 1/30 scale armor.

I really wish all 60mm (1/30) figures were the same relative size; but they are not and as a result you actually must plan dioramas for two different scales or restrict collecting to size compatible manufacturers. Only FL and TCS make figures that are size compatible with their own vehicles scale! I wish Andy and Vicki would explain the arcane reason that both companies vehicles are 1/30 and their figures are 1/28? As the King of Siam said; it is a puzzlement!

I think it's fair to note that not all CS armor is 1/28. Much of it is larger than that. So they have issues w/ scale too, just in the other direction.

Joe

 

[katana]

The Arnhem Tiger I measures 1/29 scale, The Jagdpanther, Stug III and Kingtiger measure 1/27.8.
What TCS Armor do you have that measures larger? I know the second generation TCS Tiger I was larger than the first; but I do not know by how much. K&C has produced a few oversize vehicles too. The BBG 016 Kingtiger is about the same scale as the TCS Kingtiger; which is great as the K&C figures are perfect with it.

I think it's fair to note that not all CS armor is 1/28. Much of it is larger than that. So they have issues w/ scale too, just in the other direction.

Joe