Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: PeteW on May 13, 2025, 03:14:01 PM
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Looking to switch to 15mm for CoC v2 and so am looking at my options for figures. (NW Europe to start with)
So far I've founds Peter Pig and the Skytrex figures in metal
PSC and Battlefront/FOW in injection plastic along with the 3d printed range from PSC.
I do like a sharp/detailed figure for painting so who should I go with. Please share photos of any of these if you have them or others I'm missing
thanks
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Worth looking at Westwind's "Forged in Battle" range as well. The website has good photos. I know they are smaller at 12mm but the Victrix figures are well regarded.
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I do quite like the later PSC* and Battlefront plastics - they are nice and chunky, also slightly bigger than the classic 15's; both fit in well together although, because Battlefront have more figures on a bigger sprue, they tend to have more variation of poses.
*- when I say the later PSC sculpts, I mean the Fallschirmjager, Germans in Normandy, Late War British and British Airborne. Their earlier sculpts - American, Russian and Late War German are slighter and slightly smaller, although also well proportioned and detailed. The early and later PSC sculpts do not fit in well alongside each other.
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I also like both the Battlefront and Plastic Soldier Company 15mm plastics for North-West Europe.
I have reviewed a few of them on the Wargamers' Forum, with photos:
- Battlefront 15mm US Infantry: https://www.thewargamersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6299 (https://www.thewargamersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6299)
- PSC 15mm Late War British Infantry: https://www.thewargamersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6403 (https://www.thewargamersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6403)
- PSC 15mm British Paratroopers: https://www.thewargamersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6409 (https://www.thewargamersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6409)
There are at least a couple of interesting 3D printed options. I have not seen either of these, so I am not in a position to recommend them:
- Kozak Miniatures offers a range of mostly Allied infantry, available printed in the UK from Mighty Minis https://www.mighty-minis-uk.com/browse/cat8022654_383159.aspx (https://www.mighty-minis-uk.com/browse/cat8022654_383159.aspx)
- Battle Honours 3D offers a range of American, British and German infantry in a variety of scales including 15mm https://battlehonours3d.com/pages/world-war-2 (https://battlehonours3d.com/pages/world-war-2)
I hope that helps. :)
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I am a fan of Peter Pig (especially Martin’s WW2) and can’t recommend them enough - the available range of heads are very useful as you can make each little chap (of either sex) different and they can be used to rescue other companies sculpts when the heads are rubbish - looking at you old battlefront stuff.
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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I've long since switched to 10mm, but if I was starting 15mm for WW2 I would be exclusively Peter Pig where possible. With vehicles and guns from Gaming Models in America, or 3d printed resin from Battlefield 3D, Bayonets and Brushes, Butler 3D as required.
I used Peter Pig 1920s Polish for my WW2 Lithuanian 1940 cavalry, which I'm trying to upload a picture of but Postimages doesn't want to play.
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Cheers gents - thanks for all the info.
I ordered some Peter Pig last week to see what they are like, and was really very pleased with them when 6 packs arrived this morning. A good level of details for their size.
I do like the idea of metal figures so will check out the Forged in Battle range, but will be ordering a good many more from Peter Pig.
Battle Honours 3D offers a range of American, British and German infantry in a variety of scales including 15mm https://battlehonours3d.com/pages/world-war-2
I did get to see and hold a couple of their figures in 1/72 earlier in the year. The printing and detail is very high quality, but I do think they are actually too fine for gaming. Certainly sten gun barrels and the like would not survive my fat thumbs.
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Liking the Peter Pig figures a lot. Given it was hard to find many decent photos of them I thought I'd give a bit of a review of them.
I measured a standing figure and overall he is 17.94 mm (with the base being 0.75mm thick) and 15.01mm feet to eye - so very true 15mm.
(https://i.imgur.com/5xELm78.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9DvhAon.jpg)
I've cleaned up and primed the first British squad so updates to follow.
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Yay another PP convert! They are lovely, I know some don’t like the faces but when painted they look great and are still recognisable at tabletop distance. I should have mentioned that I use mainly plastic Battlefront (flames of war) vehicles as they are sturdy, reasonably priced and cover most of the things I need. Some holes filled with old resin FoW, metal Skytrex and 3D prints. I’ve bought FiB infantry and whilst they’re ok (I have been spoilt with PP) they aren’t brilliant (not as crisp details/faces) but are comparable to FoW stuff (certainly the old metals) and cover some forces not found elsewhere. I’m not a fan of FiB vehicles but only as they are on a fixed resin base (which could be removed with effort).
Looking forwards to seeing what you do with them. If you’re anywhere near Cardiff/South Wales give me a shout - always need more 15mm opponents.
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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Looking forwards to seeing what you do with them. If you’re anywhere near Cardiff/South Wales give me a shout - always need more 15mm opponents.
Cheers Andrew, I'm over in East Kent, but never say never.
Painted two figures yesterday, one being the test figure to work out work colours to use (the bren gunner) and the figure I measured in my previous post, based as a Senior Leader.
(https://i.imgur.com/x6K4ShR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lfGvZto.jpg)
and for comparison, the PP figure, a RKX Canadian printed at 20mm and Empress 28mm. The difference in size even surprised me.
(https://i.imgur.com/gWzcF1O.jpg)
The PP figures are perfect for what I was after, and paint up so well. Really, really pleased with them, and the range is nice and extensive.
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Looks excellent Pete. Just the right mix accurate colour/suitably light highlights to work in this scale. Packing up some of my unpainted platoons to send them your way! lol
Don’t be afraid/apprehensive with re-heading to create additional variety if you like the idea as it’s very easy once you get the knack.
Keep up the great work,
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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Thank you for the comparison.
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Just a little more info on the Peter Pig figures. They currently come in packs of 8 figures, with three different poses in each pack. This means you get three figures of pose 1 & 2 and two figures of the last pose. A little odd that the pack is not nine figures which would give you three of each pose, but I'm sure it made sense at the time.
For my test order, I purchased a pack of bren gun teams which comprises of three bren gunners and 5 team members, all of whom have the double chest pouches (which is a well observed detail). A pack of riflemen, so eight squaddies all armed with rifles, and the Sten NCO pack. 24 figures in all.
I also ordered 3 packs of German, but that's a subject for later posts.
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Well done Pete, fantastic work on that nco, the basing also look very good! Peter Pig is indeed invaluable to anyone who dabbles with WWII wargaming in 15mm, and they paint up so well! I have a ton of their packs. Always great service to order from, even in these unccertain times.
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Well done Pete, fantastic work on that nco, the basing also look very good! Peter Pig is indeed invaluable to anyone who dabbles with WWII wargaming in 15mm, and they paint up so well! I have a ton of their packs. Always great service to order from, even in these unccertain times.
Cheers for the kind words Hoagie. And yep I'm loving these PP figures.
An officer and map - what could possibly go wrong
(https://i.imgur.com/rCJ9mwV.jpg)
Plt HQ - PIAT and 2" mtr, which will be in my next order to PP
(https://i.imgur.com/ZKzQD8y.jpg)
One Section
(https://i.imgur.com/0OtvHQM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hxkLPnv.jpg)
Some German opposition up next
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Pete I’m pretty sure the PP pack size is down to spin cast mould size rather than an arbitrary decision.
That section looks excellent - you’ve achieved a great balance between highlights and appropriate camouflage colours. I’m often slightly apprehensive when about to paint something (particularly historical minis as there’s an expected scheme) but whenever I start painting PP chaps I’m amazed by how easily they paint up and how good they look at the end - all because of the sculpt.
Looking forwards to the Germans
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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Nice work on those Brits. Well done, lad!
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Cheers Cpn'
and some test pieces for the Heer, as I finalise my colour selections
Two ammo bearers and NCO in Zeltbahn
(https://i.imgur.com/V5ZHS4o.jpg)
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very nice
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Superb, I love the unique character of Peter Pig.
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Cheers gents, and yes the Peter Pig figures have great character, and an eye for detail.
The final German test figures completed and I'm happy I have a process for painting the Zeltbahns squared away.
(https://i.imgur.com/qdmWxim.jpg)
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Ser gut!
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Nice painting!
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These are excellent; the zeltbahn is particularly well executed.
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Cheers for the kind comments
Reinforcements have arrived - two full platoons are going through the paint shop at the moment.
German Infantry Plt with an additional SL, but missing two JL, which for some reason unknown to me I didn't base along with the rest, and so are in the next batch for painting, together with a PIAT team and their mate in a jerkin
(https://i.imgur.com/cwlr7Lw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GbQ0cQd.jpg)
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really cool. You made the perfect balance between scale "readability" and detail.
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PeteL, can I ask what uniform colour you used for your Germans? I have about 80 Battlefront plastics to paint and can't find a "feldgrau" that I like.
Thanks.
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PeteL, can I ask what uniform colour you used for your Germans? I have about 80 Battlefront plastics to paint and can't find a "feldgrau" that I like.
Thanks.
Its a very old, and I mean really old, bottle of Andrea Color Field Grey.
HTH
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Beautiful work on these. You've really hit the mark with bringing out the character of these 15s.
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Beautiful work on these. You've really hit the mark with bringing out the character of these 15s.
These figures have so much character, and attention to detail.
really cool. You made the perfect balance between scale "readability" and detail.
Thanks - but its mainly down to the figures. Just enough details to paint, without going overboard.
1.Gruppe and the Zug senior leader. 2. & 3. just being finished off now
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(https://i.imgur.com/5n7hMSL.jpg)
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Very well done!
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Great looking figures.
I would recommend Forged in Battle too, I've got a bunch of their 8th Army figures (with some PP and some Battlefront) and I really like the FiB sculpts.
I think 15mm is a great choice for CoC too (I'm very much a 10mm gamer, but 10mm is a bit small for a CoC sized game) but 15mm gives a nice balance between figure scale, ground scale, vehicle size, building size, and simply being able to see which figures are which!!
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Terrific looking work on those. I’ve always liked the look of Peter Pig - they are very unique, every time I see someone’s project with them I want to order some!
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That frustrating feeling when you think you have finished painting your British Infantry Platoon, to only discover you are two riflemen short.
Anyway - here's a consolation dead cow
(https://i.imgur.com/VODuUIb.jpg)
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Beautiful cows (having a nap) Pete. Is it you’ve forgotten to paint two chaps or you’re physically missing two models? If it’s the latter I can probably dig out a couple and get them to you if that’s any help?
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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Beautiful cows (having a nap) Pete. Is it you’ve forgotten to paint two chaps or you’re physically missing two models? If it’s the latter I can probably dig out a couple and get them to you if that’s any help?
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
Cheers for the offer, that is very kind, but the issue is simpler than that - I apparently can't count. Two more figures prepped and primed this morning so we are good to go.
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lol at least it’s easy to sort out!
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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So with a further two British riflemen painted I now do indeed have two complete core platoons. All Peter Pig 15mm, with a couple of extra photos to show off some of my favourite figures. The level of detail and paint-ability of these figures is amazing.
(https://i.imgur.com/9muT0i7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VDWi0RZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/x25k3Or.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/71BHBpJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ewuaBt2.jpg)
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Brilliant stuff sir! Can’t wait to see them in action…
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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Lovely platoons you have there. Well done!
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Well two weeks ago or so I opened Pandora's box (again) and this time purchased a small filament 3d printer. Since then I have been printing terrain and vehicles for use with CoC all in 15mm.
43 points worth of British support
(https://i.imgur.com/1PbzQtP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/64aLQPr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MOnD4GB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1peTmts.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SrcUDKS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HKSbOgb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xaeBVdt.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JGhZP2V.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/g7vuwDT.jpg)
I'm learning as I go and improving print quality. To date all the STL files I have used have been free and so I can fiddly around and experiment to my hearts content.
and as a Brucie Bonus the waste filament looks like it will make some cool hedges once painted and flocked
(https://i.imgur.com/LvlgJ5e.jpg)
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really nice details on the vehicles !
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Just catching up with this project. Not my scale, but everything looks fantastic. The PP figures paint up very well by the look of things. 15mm should be a great scale for CoC. A less crowded table and more room for manoeuvre.
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Gotta love the super-unique Peter Pig look. They’re so distinct, and you e really painted them up so well.
For a filament printer, that’s pretty good for results on terrain and vehicles! I had to zoom in to look for the gradient lines! That’s rare for a filament printer.
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The tanks and terrain came out great.
I do wonder how the filament vehicle prints will take the paint. Will the layer lines reveal themselves under the brush. Those looks so much better than years ago.
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Oh I do like 'em cows! The vehicles not so much as to my eye there's a certain flatness to the tank wheels, but I'm sure a man of your brush skills will be more than capable of changing my mind. Very much looking forward to seeing this progress.
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Looking forward to seeing those vehicles all tarted up!
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Oh I do like 'em cows! The vehicles not so much as to my eye there's a certain flatness to the tank wheels, but I'm sure a man of your brush skills will be more than capable of changing my mind. Very much looking forward to seeing this progress.
I know what you mean, however these are all pretty basic models, that are available for free on the web. Once I'm happy with the printer, and what I think it can do I will purchase slightly more complex and detailed models. The M4A2 despite being free is perhaps an example of this with step up level of detail over say the Firefly model.
Looking forward to seeing those vehicles all tarted up!
Cheers, I'm just looking at what paints I might need (always need more paints ;))
And another freebi file, this time from WoWBuildings who is currently modelling the centre of Villers Bocage ahead of a Kickstarter.
(https://i.imgur.com/geVmX2P.jpg)
Scaled at 70% to match the 15mm Peter Pig figures
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Wow, the level of detailing continues to impress. What printer are you using?
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Wow, the level of detailing continues to impress. What printer are you using?
Its a Bambu A1 mini - and so simple to use, even I can get decent prints !
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I shall definitely look into it. Thank you!
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The main reason for getting my 3d printer (filament) was to print buildings and terrain, the secondary was to create storage boxes for my figures. These stackable boxes just fit on the print bed, and hold a platoon each, with a little to spare. Printing quality is not quite as good as I would like, so I will persevere with that over time, but they work as intended. The top tray will hold dice and other bits, and it's occurred to me if I line it with felt/baize it will serve well as dice tray. Pleased, but room for a little improvement in print quality.
(https://i.imgur.com/YkC5igD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sjmPAUx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LzfjWXZ.jpg)
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Fresh prints for the top 2 boxes now I have the settings sorted and am getting decent print quality. I'll add a 4th box to cover all the infantry support units and similar for both sides. Figures all nice and safe now
(https://i.imgur.com/MTZd0l5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LERcxPv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/q8Vwhhz.jpg)
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The storage solution is very impressive and cool.