Inexpensive VSF sources?

[Sunjester]

I'm looking to expand my 19th century collection to play some VSF skirmish games and looking for any suggestions for manufacturers/suppliers. I'm doing this on a budget and been a bit taken aback by the prices of some of the steampunk ranges I've come across. Ideally in the £1-£3 per figure rather than some of the £8-£15 stuff I've seen.

Any suggestions gents?

[OSHIROmodels]

Just use normal colonials 

[Malamute]

Foundry for historical and colonial is a good place to start or Ironclad Miniatures who have a decent VSF range at reasonable prices.
Artizan from their colonial British and French, Copplestone Darkest Africa. Just a few options there. What sort of setting are you thinking? That might help to narrow your options?

[Cat]

Old Glory's Colonials provide the bulk of my rank and file.
https://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/categories.asp?cat=115

[whill4]

Like the others said use historical colonial figures for rank and file. To add to this check Reaper Miniatures and search for "VSF" or "Steampunk" and you can find some special or character figures in their Bones line.

Also, Brigade Games have some line troops with breathing apparatus in their steampunk/VSF range which will be on the high end of your price range. They also have character figures.

Northstar has a few line troops with breathing apparatus in their Death on the Red Planet line.

Artizan which can be bought through Northstar has a line of individual VSF figures also priced on the high side of your range.


Wayne

[has.been]

+1 for Ironclad. Reasonable prices & a good range.
Not just the VSF, but also the 'ordinary' Victorians would be useful
(as would the aliens).

[GDonk]

Also a +1 for Ironclad. The Lead Adventure range available through Magister Militum (and probably elsewhere) have some nice character minis which mostly come in packs and work out at around £3.50-£4.00 each. For some vehicles with some potential (depending on your specific setting) keep a look out for the Disney Atlantis Lost Empire range of toys - fairly expensive if you can even  find them as "new old stock" on E-Bay etc  but might turn up in the charity shop circuit. Just a thought. Good luck. GDonk

[zebcook]

Meridian Miniatures has both a British and a Prussian range in that price category.

[twrchtrwyth]

Meridian Miniatures has both a British and a Prussian range in that price category.

+1

And their other heads to give you more options are here: https://cpmodels.co.uk/product-category/28mm-ranges/28mm-heads/
They start from HD2816

[fastolfrus]

Depending on setting you can find useful bits in Poundland etc to either convert or scratchbuild vehicles. Interesting shaped bottle-tops (perfume bottles or Airwick type room fragrancers are usually good) can make interesting VSF equipment/installations.
Plastic dinosaurs (or out-of-scale animals) can be handy for Lost Worlds expeditions.

At this time of year look closely at cheap plastic decorations (a month ago would have recommended looking at Halloween stuff) for scratchbuilding material. Some big tree baubles are ideal for hot air balloons.

Also check the charity shops, often have rummage boxes of cheap tatty toys that can be cannibalised.

Some boardgames can be useful, there are quite a few with figures etc in that can be re-purposed.

[fastolfrus]

Also, consider nationality. VSF doesn't have t be European.
Perry plastic ACW are easy to convert (possibly just a paint-job) and are Victorian although not useful for most Europeans (but I seem to recall you might be able to paint some of the kepi troops up as Danes?). The slouch hats may be ok for e.g. South Africa.
The Zouaves can be used for French, or North African states.

[Sunjester]

Foundry for historical and colonial is a good place to start or Ironclad Miniatures who have a decent VSF range at reasonable prices.
Artizan from their colonial British and French, Copplestone Darkest Africa. Just a few options there. What sort of setting are you thinking? That might help to narrow your options?

Setting? All of them! I already have several hundred historical figures for Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, Western Europe, Antarctic and the Wild West so I will be using all those settings (and possibly Mars). I'm just after the extra bits to give it a Wells/Verne style vibe.

Thanks for the suggestions so far chaps.

[Captain Darling]

I’m with everyone else in suggesting looking at Colonial ranges and I am a big fan of Ironclad Miniatures range but noticing in your last post you mention the Balkans I will add Out Post Wargame Services their RTW figures would fit your period and are fantastic (that’s in my opinion  )...

http://www.outpostwargameservices.co.uk

Cheers!

[OSHIROmodels]

If you want something a little bit different you could try my Boxer Rebellion Japanese.

http://www.oshiromodelterrain.co.uk/boxerfigures.html

[Sunjester]

I’m with everyone else in suggesting looking at Colonial ranges and I am a big fan of Ironclad Miniatures range but noticing in your last post you mention the Balkans I will add Out Post Wargame Services their RTW figures would fit your period and are fantastic (that’s in my opinion  )...

http://www.outpostwargameservices.co.uk

Cheers!

They look great. Thanks for that.