Best ultra-modern 28mm US Army minis?

[ErikB]

Who makes the best 28mm ultra-modern US Army minis?

I like the Black Scorpion ones but they lack crispness.

Other options in 28mm?  Specifically, m4 carbines, SAWs, body armor, not the older LBE/LCE web gear (that I used to wear, but that's another story...).

[bronc]

I would say Empress miniatures there line of moderns is growing all the time and with up todate equipment,

Gaz

[Brummie]

Empress Miniatures without a doubt.

They practically have everything, and they also stock Imprint 28mm vehicles which do some very nice U.S Army vehicles. Just check their site out and look for moderns.

As for Scorpion Miniatures, they are also bigger than 28mm in my experience, you can't really mix them in with other ranges.

[captain apathy]

Another one for Empress Miniatures.  Their modern minis are fantastic.

[Trooper]

The Black Scorpion figures are very nice, but way too big to be compatible with anything, plus they are now out of date in appearance. So it's another vote for Empress from me. If you don't want them bang up to date, you could look at the Gripping Beast MoFo figures, or The Assault Group (TAG) ranges, but they are mainly for Somalia, eg: Black Hawk Down type stuff. Eureka also do a modern range with some nice stuff in it.

[carlos marighela]

Empress, no contest if you want contemporary US Army.

TAG's modern range was sculpted by a variety of sculptors. Some are lovely, some not so.....Apart from being somewhat dated, the US range are some of the ugliest sculpts around, they look like lego men.

[ErikB]

Great!  Thanks, folks.

Next question - any good tutorials for painting ACU or Multicam?

[jeffteaches]

The Ambush Alley forums have quite a few ideas and guidelines for painting ACU.

http://www.ambushalleygames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5723&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=acu&start=15
http://www.ambushalleygames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4709

Just two of them here that I liked. Also, notice the first one has beautifully painted Empress minis!

[carlos marighela]

Multicam? Look no further:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=26021.0

[AKULA]

Another plug for Empress, although I do have the Black Scorpion range as well, and use them for my zombie games.

ACU isn't as difficult as it looks, just start with your base colour, and progressively work up the lighter layers with a fine brush, and add a wash.

[ErikB]

My first squad just arrived.  Wow.  Awesomely detailed minis.  A whole new class.  I'm blown away.

[Randall]

I realize you asked for US Army. JC Figures has modern US Marines that are excellent as well (in case you want to expand your modern forces).

[ErikB]

No offense to the jarheads out there, but I was Army, my dad was Army, my Grampa was Army, my uncles and great uncles were Army... you get the picture?   

I don't know if there is really a difference in battle rattle other than the colors, though.  I know the ACU and Marine uniform are different both in cut and dye, but that may not matter.

My current plan is only to make one squad each of the following:
- US Army
- Brit Army
- Bundeswehr
- Foreign Legion (I've heard that the French regulars are actually quite competent despite the beliefs in the US about them)
- Taliban
- Iraqis
- African irregulars

[Earther]

My current plan is only to make one squad each of the following:
- US Army
- Brit Army
- Bundeswehr
- Foreign Legion (I've heard that the French regulars are actually quite competent despite the beliefs in the US about them)
- Taliban
- Iraqis
- African irregulars

I'd go for:

- US Army - Empress Miniatures
- Brit Army - Empress Miniatures; British squadies in the latest kit are imminent.
- Bundeswehr - Eureka Miniatures
- Foreign Legion - Eureka Miniatures
- Taliban - Eureka Miniatures but Empress do Terry Taliban too.
- Iraqis - TAG or Mongrel Syrians (not strictly acurate, and if you can get them)
- African irregulars - TAG or MoFo/Gripping Beast, but Eureka have some nice stuff coming out soon

[ErikB]

Good thinking, good list.

I'll also have to add USMC Force Recon from Eureka.

They may be jarheads but it's a great series of minis.