Plastics Quality Question
Slapshot
various eras, my question is how is the quality? And is there a stigma
attached to using them by hardcore grognards?
I am mainly looking at Italeri, Accurate Figures and Airfix for ACW. Since I
can't find any good pics, I am curious as to who has the better quality.
The prices are outstanding, do they paint up well?
Any help and input appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul
Steve Burt
Slapshot <mad...@uswest.net> wrote in message
news:VRdR5.710$dJ5.1...@news.uswest.net...
> Looking at the various manufacturers of plastifc 1/72nd sscale figs for
> various eras, my question is how is the quality? And is there a stigma
> attached to using them by hardcore grognards?
> I am mainly looking at Italeri, Accurate Figures and Airfix for ACW. Since
I
> can't find any good pics, I am curious as to who has the better quality.
> The prices are outstanding, do they paint up well?
>
Yes, they do paint up well.
I use 20mm plastics (and a few metals) for ACW - I use Fire & Fury, keeping
measurements unchanged, but using slightly bigger bases (with an average of
4 figs per base) - I use 40mm wide by 30mm deep for infantry, 40mm square
for mounted cavalry (with 2 figs)
There's some pictures of ACW games (and one close-up) on my website
http://www.blackgoat.freeserve.co.uk
Slapshot
Steve Burt <steve...@cursor-system.com> wrote in message
news:8v3qr9$b1j$1...@soap.pipex.net...
Do you have a preference of manufacturer?
Slapshot
Gerald P. Illies <tri...@paulbunyan.net> wrote in message
news:B7lR5.141$_u1....@news7.onvoy.net...
>
> Dear Mr. Slapshot (I love that movie),
It's a classic:)
>
> I have used and painted nearly all of the manufacturers that produce
> 1/72nd plastics. In my opinion Revel of Germany is by-far the best
quality,
> in actual plastic durability and quality, realistic poses, absence of
flash,
> and variety. ESCI produces figures which are lower quality, and they seem
> to be slightly smaller that 1/72nd scale. The plastic is very soft which
> makes it easy to carve or modify, but makes the figure to flexible to hold
> the paint well(I'll get into that shortly). The weapons are also funny
> looking(Its hard to know what the heck my set of Germans are carrying. If
I
> didn't know they were Germans I might mistake them for something
> else).Accurate Figures produce a line of miniatures that are exactly(the
> same molds!) like the IMEX versions of the same name(except the price is
> better and the box is different). I have a lot of sets from accurate
> figures. IMEX figures are excellent quality. The figures are
proportional,
> and the different sets keep the same scale. However; some of the poses
are
> fake looking. The plastic quality is not as durable as Revel of Germany.
> Italeri produces figures which have far too many flimsy weapons(swords,
> rifles are too thin). The figures sometimes break off of the base, and in
> general the figures(though they are excellent proportions to real life,
> probably the best in plastic figures) are far to flimsy for minis that
must
> stand the test of the game table. The only airfix figures I have
purchased
> have been hard plastic. They are poor quality, lack weapons and
equipment,
> and look goofy even when fully painted. If Airfix produces soft plastic
> minis than I have no idea how they look or act to paint.
Okay, you gave me all the inof I needed, thank you so much. I will stay away
from Airfix, Italeri and Esci. I was looking at that $25.00 set from IMEX of
the Confederate/Union Artillery/Cavalry/Infantry. Looks like a very good
deal, and maybe a nice "Starter set".
Do the Revell figs mix in well?
>
> As far as painting the plastic figures - be sure to clean the figures
in
> hot water and dish soap(something good at breaking down oil). When the
> figures are taken from the mold an oily residue still remains on the
> figures. You can even feel the oil sometimes when you purchase new minis.
> Get this oil off or your paint will not stick as well. Revel of
Germany(and
> some IMEX sets) minis usually do not need to be primed. However; the
other
> sets should be primed to give a bit more solidity to the figure. Italeri
> minis must be primed because the plastic seems to allow the paint into the
> recesses. The plastic affects how the paint acts. Also you must know
that
> over time as the barrels and swords are bend, the paint will chip off.
> Usually only a small ring around the barrel will break off. You will need
> to touch up these spots if you want to keep the army looking good. If you
> do not wash the minis, the legs and arms may also break the paint off as
> they are bent(especially with running figures which have only one leg
> supporting the mini).
Well, maybe off the cuff here, but I am hoping someone may know, how does
the plastic compare to Games Workshop's plastics? I have painted up a lot of
GW fantasy figs, and a lot of the plastic Target Warzone figs. Both of them
paint up very well, and I do prefer using acryllics.
>
> Hope thats enough for now.
Good info Gerald, you cleared up a lot of my questions, and gave me a few
more:) thank you
Paul
>
> Gerald P. Illies
>
> Painted minis for sale at
> www.minis-market.com
>
>
Gerald P. Illies
Dear Mr. Slapshot (I love that movie),
I have used and painted nearly all of the manufacturers that produce
1/72nd plastics. In my opinion Revel of Germany is by-far the best quality,
in actual plastic durability and quality, realistic poses, absence of flash,
and variety. ESCI produces figures which are lower quality, and they seem
to be slightly smaller that 1/72nd scale. The plastic is very soft which
makes it easy to carve or modify, but makes the figure to flexible to hold
the paint well(I'll get into that shortly). The weapons are also funny
looking(Its hard to know what the heck my set of Germans are carrying. If I
didn't know they were Germans I might mistake them for something
else).Accurate Figures produce a line of miniatures that are exactly(the
same molds!) like the IMEX versions of the same name(except the price is
better and the box is different). I have a lot of sets from accurate
figures. IMEX figures are excellent quality. The figures are proportional,
and the different sets keep the same scale. However; some of the poses are
fake looking. The plastic quality is not as durable as Revel of Germany.
Italeri produces figures which have far too many flimsy weapons(swords,
rifles are too thin). The figures sometimes break off of the base, and in
general the figures(though they are excellent proportions to real life,
probably the best in plastic figures) are far to flimsy for minis that must
stand the test of the game table. The only airfix figures I have purchased
have been hard plastic. They are poor quality, lack weapons and equipment,
and look goofy even when fully painted. If Airfix produces soft plastic
minis than I have no idea how they look or act to paint.
As far as painting the plastic figures - be sure to clean the figures in
hot water and dish soap(something good at breaking down oil). When the
figures are taken from the mold an oily residue still remains on the
figures. You can even feel the oil sometimes when you purchase new minis.
Get this oil off or your paint will not stick as well. Revel of Germany(and
some IMEX sets) minis usually do not need to be primed. However; the other
sets should be primed to give a bit more solidity to the figure. Italeri
minis must be primed because the plastic seems to allow the paint into the
recesses. The plastic affects how the paint acts. Also you must know that
over time as the barrels and swords are bend, the paint will chip off.
Usually only a small ring around the barrel will break off. You will need
to touch up these spots if you want to keep the army looking good. If you
do not wash the minis, the legs and arms may also break the paint off as
they are bent(especially with running figures which have only one leg
supporting the mini).
Hope thats enough for now.
Gerald P. Illies
Slapshot
John Secker <jo...@secker.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:oD8yjVA3...@secker.demon.co.uk...
> In article <R0pR5.7532$wr6.6...@news.uswest.net>, Slapshot
> <mad...@uswest.net> writes
> >Well, maybe off the cuff here, but I am hoping someone may know, how does
> >the plastic compare to Games Workshop's plastics? I have painted up a lot
of
> >GW fantasy figs, and a lot of the plastic Target Warzone figs. Both of
them
> >paint up very well, and I do prefer using acryllics.
> >>
> suffer from the same bendability problems as the softer plastic which is
> used in most of the figures which have been mentioned previously. Don't
> know about Target Warzone.
It's the same as the GW plastic. Thanks for the info, looks like 2 coats of
sealant then?
John Secker
<mad...@uswest.net> writes
>Well, maybe off the cuff here, but I am hoping someone may know, how does
>the plastic compare to Games Workshop's plastics? I have painted up a lot of
>GW fantasy figs, and a lot of the plastic Target Warzone figs. Both of them
>paint up very well, and I do prefer using acryllics.
>>
Very different stuff. GW plastic is hard polystyrene, which doesn't
suffer from the same bendability problems as the softer plastic which is
used in most of the figures which have been mentioned previously. Don't
know about Target Warzone.
John Secker
Steve Burt
>
> > Yes, they do paint up well.
> > I use 20mm plastics (and a few metals) for ACW - I use Fire & Fury,
> keeping
> > measurements unchanged, but using slightly bigger bases (with an average
> of
> > 4 figs per base) - I use 40mm wide by 30mm deep for infantry, 40mm
square
> > for mounted cavalry (with 2 figs)
> >
> > There's some pictures of ACW games (and one close-up) on my website
> > http://www.blackgoat.freeserve.co.uk
> >
> >
>
> Do you have a preference of manufacturer?
>
I have a mixture of old Airfix, ESCI, Revell, Imex and Italeri plastics,
plus some 20mm metal Kennington Zouaves.
I'd say Revell and Italeri are the best figures, but once they are all based
up you can't tell the difference really.
Martin Rapier
<8vb1in$t56$1...@soap.pipex.net>...
> > Do you have a preference of manufacturer?
> >
> Not really.
> I have a mixture of old Airfix, ESCI, Revell, Imex and Italeri plastics,
> plus some 20mm metal Kennington Zouaves.
> I'd say Revell and Italeri are the best figures, but once they are all
based
> up you can't tell the difference really.
I recently got a load of the new Emhar WW1 figs, they are very nice as well
- slightly harder plastic than Revell (but fractionally smaller figs as
well). Why oh why couldn't the Germans have some MG08/15s instead of that
daft bloke lying down with his broomhandle Mauser, and couple of blokes
with a granatenwerfer. The British figures have an excellent range of
support weapons.
The main thing with plastics isn't so much figure quality (though scraping
off loads of flash can be a drag) but how many useable figures you get per
box (see above!). I'm not sure how many 'man sitting on oil drum holding
spoon' figures (ESCI? Eighth Army) I actually need. I think the really
ancient airfix figs (of which I still have loads) have a certain quaint
charm, though they are dwarfed by the huge superman figures of today!
Cheers
Martin.
luisa...@my-deja.com
As far as ACW figures go, Revell doesn't actually produce
any. They licensed Accurate figures and put them in Revell
boxes. The Accurate line is now owned by Imex.
As far as figure/plastic quality - Revell plastic varies
greatly from set to set, as does their casting quality. This
applies in spades to ESCI as well, the quality and type of
plastic changes from production run to production run. Italeri
sets are more consistent, and in my experience have less flash.
Imex and Accurate also have little flash. All these manufacturers
figures compare very well with nearly all 20mm metal figures
I have seen.
Airfix ACW sets are ancient (mid-60's) and don't compare with
any current manufacturer in modelling or detail. Besides, they
have not been re-issued in decades. As far as I can tell any
unopened box of Airfix ACW figures is a collectors item.
Imex and Accurate (and thus the Revell ACW) use "harder" plastic
than ESCI or Italeri, but this makes little practical difference
in my experience.
As for figure quality in ACW -
Infantry - Imex, ESCI, and Italeri (also Call-to-Arms and HaT) all
make decent figures. My vote goes to Italeri on the grounds of better
modelling. Italeri has the services of an excellent sculptor. On
the other hand you would be hard pressed to decide between them
once painted, and all this detail is a moot point unless scrutinized at
close range. It isn't easy to do full justice to the Italeri's.
Note that the Italeri Union set comes with Zouaves. You may want to
consider getting ALL available sets as you will get more variation
to reflect the "irregularity" of the period.
Cavalry - Italeri. The Confederate and Union cavalry are simply
superb and full of individual character. The Confederates in
particular run the gamut - the "dandies" in feathered hats, the
bearded farmer-type with a shotgun, etc. A couple of the best
sets available in 1/72 plastic. The Imex cavalry figures are all
right, but some of the poses are a bit odd for my taste -
like the fellow shooting BOTH his pistols to the side, or the
one who seems to be cutting his own throat with his sabre.
Artillery - Imex is excellent and basically the only option in current
production.
Other sets to get - Imex battlefield accessories (2 sets), Imex
wagons (2 sets), Accurate/Revell Confederate engineers with
barricades, etc, also use for some more gunners.
In article <B7lR5.141$_u1.1...@news7.onvoy.net>,
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Jon-paul
Martin Rapier <m.ra...@sheffield.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:01c052f8$cad68f80$f811...@ad1mer.shef.ac.uk...
> I recently got a load of the new Emhar WW1 figs, they are very nice as
well
> - slightly harder plastic than Revell (but fractionally smaller figs as
> well). Why oh why couldn't the Germans have some MG08/15s instead of that
> daft bloke lying down with his broomhandle Mauser, and couple of blokes
> with a granatenwerfer. The British figures have an excellent range of
> support weapons.
> Martin.
>
the maxims are in the artilery packs, they do 18pdr and 7.7cm feild guns.
Theres 4 maxim/vickers in each box as well as 2 of the field guns.
there is also 4 snipers (rifles with scopes) 4 officers, 8 gun crew and 4
other figures.
I like the guy with the broomhandle mauser, i tend to use him as the third
man in a weapons crew or dismounted cavalry officer.
i tend to use plastic and fill the holes with lead. IT figures being the
most compatable that i have found so far.
JP
Jon-paul
smaller than other ranges.
piccies are avalable here:-
http://soli.inav.net/~edzwil/Collector'sguide.html
Other than that its how you prep the figures.
there is the normal wash in detergent and warm water, A dash of white
vinigar in the wash/soak tends to give better results ( i dunno why, it
apparently helps eat away the muck, good on your drinking glasses as well as
it realy cleans them up and so it works with plastic)
A PVA glue wash i find works for sealing the paint in. I tend to use it
first, then the main colour coat, then another layer of PVA the detailing
and a final PVA coat. It works well for me.
JP
Slapshot <mad...@uswest.net> wrote in message
news:VRdR5.710$dJ5.1...@news.uswest.net...
> Looking at the various manufacturers of plastifc 1/72nd sscale figs for
> various eras, my question is how is the quality? And is there a stigma
> attached to using them by hardcore grognards?
> I am mainly looking at Italeri, Accurate Figures and Airfix for ACW. Since
I
> can't find any good pics, I am curious as to who has the better quality.
> The prices are outstanding, do they paint up well?
>
wil...@hotmail.com/
<tri...@paulbunyan.net> wrote:
>
I just wanted to add that I use ESCI & Revell for WWII -- Revell is
generally better, but some of the ESCI (US PIR for example) is really
quite detailed even if all the guys are 6'5" & skinny as rakes. ESCI
Germans however are pretty poor.
Bill.
Martin Rapier
<8vcej2$jb4$2...@plutonium.compulink.co.uk>...
> the maxims are in the artilery packs, they do 18pdr and 7.7cm feild guns.
> Theres 4 maxim/vickers in each box as well as 2 of the field guns.
> there is also 4 snipers (rifles with scopes) 4 officers, 8 gun crew and 4
> other figures.
I know, but they are tripod MG08s, I am after MG08/15 LMGs (with a wooden
stock & bipod). The artillery pieces are very nice, I've got quite a few of
those!
> I like the guy with the broomhandle mauser, i tend to use him as the
third
> man in a weapons crew or dismounted cavalry officer.
Sure, I use him as well to differentiate specialist assault squads from
more run of the mill troops - but the corresponding British figure is
wielding a rather more useful Lewis gun.
> i tend to use plastic and fill the holes with lead. IT figures being the
> most compatable that i have found so far.
Yes, I was going to get some IT MG08/15 teams - I scratchbuilt the
granatenwerfers and crewed them with some of the odd figures left over
(like 'action tank crewman' with his spanner).
Cheers
Martin.
Jon-paul
> stock & bipod). The artillery pieces are very nice, I've got quite a few
of
> those!
>
I hear it was issued but nor popular, captured lewis guns were prefered!
(well according to my scant sources) because they were lighter and more
handy.
there seems to be a difference in design philosophy between the british and
german figures. The germans seem to be more aimed at diorama uses. More
supplemental than the core of a force. Though the revell are taller, they
mix reletively well.
however looking and broomhande man, a conversion seems very possible (though
they are also a pain to do!)
I maybe getting some more in the near future as i am looking to build a
friekorp/late ww1 unit (my current ww1 germans are victims of a paint job
conversion to hungarians!) especialy as HAT are working on tzarist rusians
and Austro-hungarians in the same scale.
> Yes, I was going to get some IT MG08/15 teams - I scratchbuilt the
> granatenwerfers and crewed them with some of the odd figures left over
> (like 'action tank crewman' with his spanner).
>
Come salute next year i shall have quite a shopping list :)
Minewefers, A/T rifles 08/15 for my germans, trench motars etc for my
french/polish and maybe MGs for the Hungarains and russians. my wallet
cries in pain at the contemplation.
> Cheers
> Martin.
>
>
>
No probs.
JP