28mm USMC comparison

[Johnnytodd]

I hadn't found a very good comparison of the various 28mm Marines out there, so I thought I would do my own review.  I bought a pack or two form Brigade Games, Westwind and The Assault Group to start with.  Co.B artillery soon to follow and probably will buy a few singles from Warlord Games and add them to the mix.  Here are two photos taken at same distance from camera to give a sense of figure height:



At left is the TAG Navy Corpsman; center is Brigade Games; Right is Westwind

Here's another group:



Brigade Games; Westwind, TAG

As far as size,  The BG and TAG match up particularly well, The Westwind is a bit smaller in height but match up pretty well with the others


  

[Marine0846]

Thanks for the comparison.
It looks like the Westwind figure's base has been raised. that might bother some people.
Also there is an older range of Battle Honors figures. They are more 25mm but I like them.
Lots of different poses.
Also 1st Corp may make some. I know they do some Japanese.
Maybe Helen might be able to shed some light about this.

[Johnnytodd]

It looks like the Westwind figure's base has been raised. .

Not raised, but the westwind's lead platform is quite a bit thicker than the others so I just glue him to a penny and fill in with green stuff.  Battle Honors does make USMC but if they don't make any attempt to promote their figs (ie. photograph in catalogue) then I'm not spending $$ on them.


Here is another batch with a Westwind, Co B artillery crewman and a Brigade Games.  The Co. B is quite a bit smaller in scale but the crew does match nicely with the gun.

[Helen]

Lovely work John on the USMC comparison.

They all look very good together.

Cheers,

Helen

[Marine0846]

If you like,
I would be happy to take a few photos of the BH figures.

[Johnnytodd]

So now on to the review.  All of these companies make nice figures and I don't really like nitpicking them.  All are fairly compatible with each other.  Starting with Brigade Games:



BG has 60+ different scuplts masterfully done by Paul Hicks. Nice assortment of USMC equipment and basic US weapons represented. My only complaint is that the M1 Garand is a bit stubby and lacks a sling. Fixed bayonet would be a plus. More KABAR knives and T-handle shovels please !

---------------------------------

The Assault Group:



TAG has 90+! different Marines sculpted by Nick Collier - including a Mt. Surabachi flag raising vignette. Great attention has been paid to capturing the subtle details of Marine equipment (for example the specific canteen cover used by USMC).  Nicely sculpted with life-like poses.

---------------------------------

Westwind:



Westwind has 80+ different marine sculpts done by Andy Cooper.  I particularly enjoy the dynamic poses and small details (like swinging dogtags). The sculpting nicely captures the feel of exhausted Marines wearing baggy, worn-out uniforms. My pack of riflemen came with M1 Garands and a few fixed-bayonet Springfields.  My only complaint with Westwind marines is their equipment which is really under sized and under-detailed: the canteens and ammo belts are too small.

Warlord Marines on order and Battle Honors soon to follow.

[Johnnytodd]

Another comparison.  This time Battle Honors on the left (thanks Randy!).  Center is Brigade Games and on the right is an interwar Pulp Marine.  I was hoping to show the Warlord Marines but they seemed to have misplaced my order for 2 weeks - only sending it after I inquired .

[Marine0846]

A fine update.
Excellent job of painting the last group of figures.
You are welcome concerning the figures.
Thanks for the letter, it came yesterday.

[Johnnytodd]

My first attempt at sculpting pyrotechnics:

[Helen]

My first attempt at sculpting pyrotechnics:

Lovely work John and very effective for the gaming table.

Cheers,

Helen

[Marine0846]

That looks great John.
Care to tell us how you made it.
Please.

[TheShadow]

which westwind models range are they ?

[Johnnytodd]

which westwind models range are they ?

Westwind Marines are part of their Berlin or Bust range.

That looks great John.
Care to tell us how you made it.
Please.

The flame started as a twisted coil of wires, one starting at the nozzle and another attaching to a coin base.  Then I covered the wire & coin in "green-stuff"

[Johnnytodd]

I picked up half a dozen Marines from Warlord and to my surprise I really like these!  I've read a lot of complaints so I had low expectations, but they are much better than expected.  I especially like the sculpting - nicely detailed and historically accurate; excellent compatability with BG and TAG marines.  There do seem to be casting problems like excess flash and nasty mold lines, but with some vigilant filing they cleaned up pretty well.  Here's a sample to add to my squad of 2nd Marine Division:

[Helen]

Thanks John for your thoughts. I like them too as they provide additional material to the range overall.

Cheers,

Helen