W. Britain change of scale (1 Viewer)

[Naps...just Naps]

Forgive this post if the subject has been raised before.
I was in Brighton on Sunday and had a look in the Model Zone store at their W. Britain display.
Nothing too outstanding there but I did notice something which I had not noticed before.
They had a display of 95th Rifles beside some of the Hougoumont soldiers.
In fact the standing firing 95th rifleman was standing beside the standing firing Nassau soldier. Very similar pose.
The contrast was very obvious. The Nassau figure was much taller and the body proportions much larger that the 95th Rifles.
My wife was with me and she has zero interest in toy soldiers but even she remarked that they were different sizes.
I then started to compare the 42nd Highlanders on display with the Coldstream guards and they too were a different size.
Did Britains announce this subtle change in scale? Have they changed their manufacturer? Has anyone else noticed it?
In my opinion the Hougoumont scale is much better than the two recent additions to Britains Waterloo series (95th and 42nd).
This could be why I bought all the Hougoumont soldiers (and in multiples) but haven't bought one single 42nd Highlander or 95th Rifleman.
I would appreciate someone else’s view on this subject or maybe something from Britians.
Thanks

 

[ROUGH RIDER]

I noticed the same with the new camel corps. The Zulu 24th foot matte are a little larger. As much as I like the camel corps the 24ths painting is much better also. To answer you your right. All in all great figures.

 

[Frank Millward]

Hi

I hope your right - I often thought that Britains should get in to the 60mm market - I would return to collecting them but that's to be seen.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I currently only collect the AZW and the Durbar series. There is a little difference in size between the two series and with the AZW series a little difference between the figure but that doesn't bother me as it isn't all that noticeable and people vary in the real world so that just adds to the realism.

My biggest grip is the size of the horses. IMO they are just too large.

 

[Spitfrnd]

I don't have any Britains Highlanders but I do have quite a few Coldstream Guards and a couple of the 95th. To me the scales of those two are about the same and roughly 60 mm to the top of the head or 54/5 mm to the eyes; take your pick of the conventions. I found the 95th slightly bulkier in the face and body but not enough to be out of place with the Guards. I like this size because it blends nicely with FL. I also agree the new painting is indeed better. I will try and post a shot of the two series tomorrow. I am hoping to see the Highlanders next weekend.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Here's a couple of photos of the Hougoumont Guards and the newer 95th Rifles. I also measured the two standing firing figures and the 95th figure was slightly (0.7 mm) taller to the eyes, an immaterial difference. They both come in pretty close to 53/54 mm from sole to eyes or about 58/59 mm to the tip of the bare head.

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Thanks for the comparison pictures. From those shots it doesn't look like there is much in it.
Perhaps the fatter Nassau infantry I was comparing had better rations at Waterloo than the 95th.
What do you do to your soldiers to make them look, how can I put it, more weathered?
I like the look of them.
It's a similar look to the one I have on all my 1/72 soldiers. I used dirty matt varnish (little bit of black or brown paint added to the varnish) to make them look as though they are in the thick of battle.
I wouldn't like to try that on my Britains soldiers though.
Paul

 

[Spitfrnd]

Thanks for the comparison pictures. From those shots it doesn't look like there is much in it.
Perhaps the fatter Nassau infantry I was comparing had better rations at Waterloo than the 95th.
What do you do to your soldiers to make them look, how can I put it, more weathered?
I like the look of them.
It's a similar look to the one I have on all my 1/72 soldiers. I used dirty matt varnish (little bit of black or brown paint added to the varnish) to make them look as though they are in the thick of battle.
I wouldn't like to try that on my Britains soldiers though.
Paul

Perhaps they were better fed than the 95th. Thanks for the comment on their look. Since I am primarily a FL collector, I had these repainted slightly to better match the FL look. All in I still payed less than original retail for these guys. If you're interested, one of our great painters here did the work.

 

[Andanna]

Just another consideration, if I may: Britains does use different sculpters to do figures. Ken is the master sculptor, but others do work for Britains as well, like Allan Ball. As each sculptor has it's own approach and "signature", I would not be surprised if figures reflect individual sculptors. It is of course Ken's job to ensure any figure - irrespective of sculptor - has the "Britains" feel and look to it.

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Very good point.