Affordable Neo-Sovs, Pseudo-Brits: Recommendations?

[James Holloway]

Hi everyone,

So, I am in the process of expanding my current skirmish collections to something a little more moderate wargame-sized. I am currently looking at using maybe FAD4 or No Limits, but either way I'm thinking of a roughly platoon-sized force, maybe 3-4 squads, a couple of special weapons, a couple of vehicles.

The armies I want to expand are a neo-Soviet force (currently a core of Copplestone, plus some Legions of Steel guys for slightly heavier troops) and a British-themed force (currently based around, you guessed it, Warzone Imperial Regulars). I don't mind if squads don't match each other, since I'm happy to say they represent different units with different roles, but I would really like them all to be *thematically* unified, if you take my meaning.

The second point is that budget is (always) a concern: I love those Copplestone neo-Sovs; they're beautiful. But an entire army of them is probably outside my price range.

What I'm looking for, then, are recommendations on how to expand my neo-Sov and British-themed forces in an affordable way. I don't mind doing some conversions, so if the answer is "take these heads and put them on those bodies" that's fine by me. Since the sum total of the Future Wars forum represents an encyclopedic knowledge of sci-fi minis, I thought I'd appeal to your collective knowledge.

Thoughts about vehicles, and particularly seated crewmen to put into existing vehicles, gratefully received also.

[Elbows]

While perhaps a bit more Weird Wars than future wars, the new SSU army for DUST is simply fantastic if you're looking for Soviets.  They do look more like a 1960's Soviet army if WW2 had never ended.  Their power suits etc. are pretty slick.

I really like the look of them.  BUT...it's not super tech.  Then again, ask yourself how super-duper tech would Russian conscripts be in your universe?  At least excellent models for conversions and such.  Their transport helo is a nice bit of kit too - I have one which broke a rear wing (just needs a dab of glue).  PM me if you want it.

[JollyBob]

There's the old VOR range avaialble from Ral Partha, they have Neo-Soviets:

http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/vor-neosoviet-c-55_65.html


The Union range are meant to be yanks, but may work for Brits too:

http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/vor-union-c-55_63.html


There might also be some useful models in the Urban Mammoth ranges (UM, Archive Mammoth and Void 1.1) from Scotia Grendel:

http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/

[tnjrp]

Tail ends of the AT-43 Red Blok line are still available here and there. A tad on the big side of 28 mm but some of that can be amended by a rebase. Example:
http://www.nobleknight.com/ViewProducts.asp_Q_ProductLineID_E_2137420814_A_ManufacturerID_E_2145082574_A_CategoryID_E_5_A_GenreID_E_0

As for the Brits, can't think of anything much that is (retro) futuristic in the way Warzone Imperials are. Dust Tactics have the Red Devils powered armour suits, they carry a large energy weapon (a Phaser in the original game terms) that should fit the bill. There's also a character figure with two guns. Not as cheap as Warzone plastics but I suppose you won't need quite that many of the heavy hitters.

[Hrothgar]

For pseudo-Brits, you have quite a few choices, and even more if you are interested in doing some simple headswaps.

There is something about Pig Iron Heavy Infantry that cries out "Future Brit" to me, especially with these optional tank crew heads:


Other options that seem future/pseudo British to me:  
-The first and second edition Warzone Blood Berets from Target Games (now owned by Prince August, probably pricey if you can find them. You may be able to find some cheap on the second-hand market however)
-Either EM-4 or Copplestone Future Wars troops (especially troops with berets).
-The Defiance Games UAMC infantry with the Pig Iron heads listed above added or West Wind British para heads wearing berets.
-Devil Dog Design modern Brits-now OOP, but the sculpting style including the oversized weapons makes them some of my favorites from my own collection to use as future-Brits.

My .02.  

Jason

[Dr.Falkenhayn]

Troll Forged Sci-fi Trencher as Future Brits...

http://trollforged.com/shelf_sci-fi_Trenchers.html

the old Chiltern Miniatures Solarwinds Brits

[Cosmotiger]

If you want low-tech, the Black Tree Designs WWII Soviets are pretty similar in size and style to the Copplestone neo-Soviets, and go on sale regularly.   You could start with them and doctor them up to make them look more "futurey".

[James Holloway]

If you want low-tech, the Black Tree Designs WWII Soviets are pretty similar in size and style to the Copplestone neo-Soviets, and go on sale regularly.   You could start with them and doctor them up to make them look more "futurey".

I actually have one of those guys as a sniper already! I added a fancy high-tech looking scope to his rifle and not much else. He works pretty well with the rest of the squad. I didn't know where the model was from, but that was it.

[Predatorpt]

As for the Neo-Soviets, someone on this TMP thread mentioned the 1st Corps Soviets as being compatible with the Copplestone ones.

http://www.1stcorps.co.uk/online_shop/index.php?cPath=216_217&osCsid=9e7e6c9514384173402c3bf324f5705a

[Grimjack]

Heresy Miniatures Troopers are supposedly based upon 'future war' British tech, they paint up really well in MTP.

[fitterpete]

Slight thread derail
Anyone know how those 1st Corps sci fi colonial marines size up with EM4 guys?

[James Holloway]

Slight thread derail
Anyone know how those 1st Corps sci fi colonial marines size up with EM4 guys?

A scale comparison is never a derail, particularly to em4. One of my forces (the raggedy-ass militia one) is going to be largely em4/Grenadier.

[manatic]

Always happy to toot my own horn

My review at http://dawnofthelead.com/2011/03/25/colonial-marine-miniatures-a-review/ has a section on the 1st Corps minis. Here's a size comparison:



L to R: Hasslefree, 1st Corps, em4, Copplestone, Woodbine

[fitterpete]

Wow thanks for that review Manatic! Awesome

[James Holloway]

Manatic, your site is great! You've shown me a few things I definitely want to pick up.