Best/Highest quality 15mm 17th century miniatures?

[Anatoli]

Swedish, Polish-Lithuanian and Cossacks are my primary interest - I've learnt a lot about 15mm WW2 models but confess I am clueless when it comes to Renaissance miniature manufacturers. I have done some internet research but I'm not really convinced about any except for "Legio heroica" which makes wonderfull Winged Hussars and other Polish units. Unfortunately that army is a bit of a "late" era to fit in with the game I have in mind which takes place during 1645-75.

Btw, what do you guys think of the following prices on 15mm models on average?

20 Euro for 18 cavalry
17.50 Euro fpr 36 infantry

I've got used to a lot cheaper WW2 15mm prices so I'm not sure if those prices above are regular, above average or expensive?

[abu iskander]

I have some of the old Essex ones, the Fire and Sword stuff and have seen some photos of the Old Glory range.  IMO, of the three, the F&S stuff is the way to go with OG being a close second.  I really like the F&S horses and since these are cavalry heavy armies, that's a consideration for me.  Have not seem the Legio Heroica, so I can't comment there.

Here's a shot of someone else's OG models painted up:



http://wdlovesme.19.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=122&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1450

[Anatoli]

Very nice, I actually by chance (following a link on the Fire and Sword forum) found a list of various plastic and metal models. But looking at those made me question their quality, the revies stated they were made of semi hard plastic which would make them more like toys than models worth painting to me. I'll try to find the link and post it tomorrow - I think I bookmarked it on my stationary computer and can't find the link now.

For the sake of getting complete units fitting the Orders of Battle in the rulebook I am leaning towards the Fire and Sword range, but I have already scouted a source of plasticard bases to replace the metal bases which come with the boxed sets.

[abu iskander]

Anatoli, thanks for the review.  I'll be looking forward to the English version of the rules as I'm not too familiar with Polish.  In the meantime, would you mind sharing the army lists for Cossack, Pole and Swede?  I'd like to begin organizing my forces in anticipation.

I just got few more boxes of the F&S stuff in the mail today. And some of the scenics--tents and the like. Their terrain bits look very good. I have to say that IMO, they have done a really nice job of packaging their regiments. Banners and lots of other little bits included.  The Swedish infantry, for example, comes with a regimental artillery piece.  

Now, all I have to do is finish 400 or so more AWI models and make space to paint this period.

[Anatoli]

A list of some plastic miniature manufacturers I talked about earlier:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/PeriodList.aspx?period=14

The army lists are described regiment by regiment so there is no realarmy building Warhammer style. If you PM me I will try to help you out the best I can.