Prospective collector question on developing a Napoleonic collection of one's own (1 Viewer)

[wlm]

Hello:

I have dabbled in Napoleonic painting plastic miniatures for a board game I own, called The Eagle and the Lion.

However, I have been thinking of developing Napoleonic armies for a diorama and/or for gaming. I have been looking at Treefrog's list of soldier makers from A-Z.

I have a few questions. What is the best size to develop an army? 20 mm (72 scale), or 56 mm (32nd scale )? I must admit I am more partial to 56 mm, but it seems to me that there is less variety and availability in this size. I would like to paint my own figures but would not mind occasionally picking up pre-painted pieces myself. I think I would prefer metal, but want to be able to have variety. Which is better in terms of quality and availability: metal or plastic?

In other words, if I were to develop Napoleonic armies, what scale in metal would be most available to me to develop an army especially one that I could paint myself, but also add on to by acquiring prepainted figures? What company is best to buy the figures from (which will provide me with enough variety to develop an army)?

Thank you for your input.

Sincerely,
WLM

 

[Warrior]

If I were starting over, I'd go with neither 20mm or 54mm, I'd go with 28mm.

There are loads of manufacturers out there who produce both metal and plastic figures, you can either paint them yourself or farm them out to the numerous painting services that are out there.

You can get the largest and widest variety of nationalities in 28mm than you can in either of the other two scales you mentioned.

I base this on the fact that you stated you are after unpainted figures and there are not a lot of unpainted metal 54mm figures out there............................

 

[wlm]

If I were starting over, I'd go with neither 20mm or 54mm, I'd go with 28mm.

Who produces good 28 mm? Where should I start looking?

Thank you.

WLM

 

[Warrior]

Wargames Foundry, Perry Brothers and Warlord Miniatures for starters, they all produce outstanding 28mm Napoleonics.

Check out The Grand Manner for buildings as well as Hovels, they both make great pieces for Napoleonics.

That should get you off and running................

 

[wlm]

Wargames Foundry, Perry Brothers and Warlord Miniatures for starters, they all produce outstanding 28mm Napoleonics.

Check out The Grand Manner for buildings as well as Hovels, they both make great pieces for Napoleonics.

Thank you.

The Wargames Foundry seems like it has the most selection which is good. Perry Minatures say that they are both metal and plastic. What does this mean. Is there a lot of gluing? A little is ok but I am not too keen on gluing tiny things such as feathers to hats (etc). Warlord seems a little limited and is mostly plastic. It seems similar to Victrix which is also all plastic. Are there any other makers?

I would prefer metal and hence my original question. Which sizes gives me the most variety in metal? 20 mm seems small, 28 mm is bigger and better, but 54 mm is biggest, but this ses quite limited in general, low supply as unpainted, and costly as painted.

Thanks again to your help.

 

[jrsteel]

Wargames Foundry, Perry Brothers and Warlord Miniatures for starters, they all produce outstanding 28mm Napoleonics.

Check out The Grand Manner for buildings as well as Hovels, they both make great pieces for Napoleonics.

Thank you.

The Wargames Foundry seems like it has the most selection which is good. Perry Minatures say that they are both metal and plastic. What does this mean. Is there a lot of gluing? A little is ok but I am not too keen on gluing tiny things such as feathers to hats (etc). Warlord seems a little limited and is mostly plastic. It seems similar to Victrix which is also all plastic. Are there any other makers?

I would prefer metal and hence my original question. Which sizes gives me the most variety in metal? 20 mm seems small, 28 mm is bigger and better, but 54 mm is biggest, but this ses quite limited in general, low supply as unpainted, and costly as painted.

Thanks again to your help.

Front Rank Miniatures is another great supplier of 28mm Napoleonics. These figures have good clean sculpts that are easy to paint. They are in the UK but their site is easy to order from with Paypal. I usually get my orders in about a week.

 

[Warrior]

You should send a PM to FUBAR here on the forum, he has boatloads of 28mm Napoleonics.

The plastic figures range from very easy to assemble to a bit complex, depends on the manufacturer...........

 

[wlm]

Hello:

I followed your advice and made a few orders one from Perry and one form Front Rank.

Do you know they policy of Perry? Do they tell you when an order has been shipped. Front Rank was quite prompt. I tried to confirm my order with Perry, but have not heard back form them although I know the transaction did go through. Their website does say that they get busy and e-mail distracts them.

Also do you know where I can find standard bearers. I cannot find any for Perry or Front Rank. How does one apply the colors for the flags. I see Victrix has stickers. Is that how the Napoleonic battle flags are created. It seem like it would be real hard to paint.

Thank you.
WLM