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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Atheling on January 09, 2015, 01:51:59 PM

Title: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Atheling on January 09, 2015, 01:51:59 PM
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has any comparison  pics of the Empress Metal Zulus next to their Plastic offerings? Also their Plastic Brits next to their Metals?

Also, if possible a comparison with the Copplestone  Ngoni Warriors and anything else useful.

Anyway, any info will be very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Darrell.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: syrinx0 on January 10, 2015, 04:11:47 AM
The British Plastics and metal work well together as do the Natal plastics. The biggest difference is the larger slightly thicker base the plastics stand on.  I don't think it is really noticeable once based though.

The two leftmost are metal Empress figures, the others on the right are plastic.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/20/4336_10_01_15_5_08_23.jpg)

More pics in my army painter thread.  Brian Smaller has a lot of pics of his BTD Zulu in a few threads here as well.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Slayer on January 10, 2015, 05:13:49 AM
empress do plastic??
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Atheling on January 10, 2015, 07:12:26 AM
The British Plastics and metal work well together as do the Natal plastics. The biggest difference is the larger slightly thicker base the plastics stand on.  I don't think it is really noticeable once based though.

The two leftmost are metal Empress figures, the others on the right are plastic.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/20/4336_10_01_15_5_08_23.jpg)

More pics in my army painter thread.  Brian Smaller has a lot of pics of his BTD Zulu in a few threads here as well.


Many thanks for the input. Do you think,if any, there is a difference in the quality of the sculpting and castings?

empress do plastic??

Yeah, a joint project a few years ago now with Walord

Darrell.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: THE CID on January 10, 2015, 07:26:48 AM
Metal defo the best.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Atheling on January 10, 2015, 07:53:14 AM
Metal defo the best.

How are the Black Tree Design Zulus? Worth the money as they have a sale on?

Also, do you know if are they punctual these days with their orders?

Perhaps this should be on a separate thread?

Darrell.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Sparrow on January 10, 2015, 08:56:47 AM
Have to agree with The Cid. Given how many Brits you are going to need compared to Zulu's surely "quality" is the way to go and, hence, metals? I might be (am?) old fashioned but plastic figures always feel "temporary" whereas metals feel "permanent" so to speak. But then "each to their own" I suppose.

(PS - nice painting on those Brits!)
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Atheling on January 10, 2015, 09:41:05 AM
Have to agree with The Cid. Given how many Brits you are going to need compared to Zulu's surely "quality" is the way to go and, hence, metals? I might be (am?) old fashioned but plastic figures always feel "temporary" whereas metals feel "permanent" so to speak. But then "each to their own" I suppose.

(PS - nice painting on those Brits!)

I agree about quality over quantity. Still, I'd like to see any more size comparisons if anyone has any pics?

Darrell.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Harry Faversham on January 10, 2015, 11:10:15 AM
I might be (am?) old fashioned but plastic figures always feel "temporary" whereas metals feel "permanent" so to speak. But then "each to their own" I suppose.

(PS - nice painting on those Brits!)

I used to think that till I dropped a tray of mixed figures. The "temporary" ones got glued back to bits and are soldiering on. Their "permanent" brethren are sadly, permananty broken.

:'(
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Kommando_J on January 10, 2015, 01:52:13 PM
For me plastic will fill out the ranks and metal for command and elite units, Empress do many nice officer/command miniatures, plus they said they have a pack of commissary officers in the works.
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Sparrow on January 10, 2015, 04:46:50 PM
Harry - have just also been told off by Mrs Sparrow about my poor spelling. I wallow in my inadequacy.  :(
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: syrinx0 on January 10, 2015, 07:50:54 PM
Many thanks for the input. Do you think,if any, there is a difference in the quality of the sculpting and castings?
Darrell.

I like the metal sculpts from Empress more than the plastic but I am happy with the painted plastic units. You could mix their metals in with the plastic if you wanted more variety.  I certainly prefered the cost of the plastic as I painted 5 boxes of them.  lol
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Brian Smaller on January 10, 2015, 10:01:58 PM
How are the Black Tree Design Zulus? Worth the money as they have a sale on?

Also, do you know if are they punctual these days with their orders?

Perhaps this should be on a separate thread?

Darrell.

I have lots of them and they are great. Nice figures to paint and pretty easy to assemble (spear and shields where necessary). Use an epoxy glue rather than superglue though. As far as BTD service goes I cannot fault it. I order from BTD UK and have not had any issues. The sales also make them very affordable.  
http://woolshedwargamer.com/category/zulu-wars/
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Harry Faversham on January 11, 2015, 10:53:39 AM
Harry - have just also been told off by Mrs Sparrow about my poor spelling. I wallow in my inadequacy.  :(

Steady on there old chap, just because you're diklecsic, doesn't mean you'll be found wanting when the drums begin to roll and we form the thin Red Line.

:o
Title: Re: Empress Metal vs Plastic Zulus'?
Post by: Atheling on January 12, 2015, 08:27:57 AM
How do Black Tree Design Zulu's size up with Empress Miniatures Brits?

Anyone out there have any comparison shots please?