Americans?

[winterborn]

Considering a VSF american project, and not sure of the troops.

Would Civil War and Indian Wars troops be better, or Spanish-American War suit closer?

[Skrapwelder]

I use the Artizan Plains War infantry.

[Cory]

I freely mix Artizan Plains war and buffalo soldiers with Spanish American war era troops as there's just enough historical precedence to justify it.

The US Army of that era was pretty stingy and would wring every bit of life out of equipment if it could.

[fritzy]

I'm using American Civil war minis from Renegade. You get 2 lots then, more painting.

Cheers
 
 Fritzy

[Bullshott]

I guess it depends on the date you want to portray but, since this is VSF, there is no reason why you shouldn't mix the two types of troops. For Spanish-American War period uniforms the following manufacturers are worth looking at:

Redoubt:

Redoubt's Boxer Rebellion range has some very nice US marines. These are very nice 28mm sculpts in slouch hats and shirt sleeve order. The range includes a couple of options of Colt MG on wheeled carriage.

Tiger miniatures:

The Tiger US troops include marines, infantry, mounted cavalry, dismounted negro cavalry and artillery. Most are in tunic and slouch hat (except the marines who are in peaked cap). They are slightly taller than Redoubt and and their rifles are obviously larger. The marines packs include Gatlings and Colts on a mix of wheeled, tripod and ship mounts. There is also a very nice marine landing gun in this range.

Parroom Station (London Warroom VSF figures):

'Slim 28mm' figures of US infantry in slouch hats and shirt sleeve order.


I am collecting Americans to make a US marine force suitable for Boxer Rebellion or Spanish-American War, using Redoubt for the core troops with additional figures from Tiger and Parroom Station to help make the force look more non-uniform and provide additional command and support troops.

[Malamute]

I certainly agree you could go for the early civil war look or the later turn of the century uniform. I think I am leaning towards the Boxer rebellion look, I love the slouch hat and those long gaiters

Nice shot of Matakishi's Marines too

[Aaron]

If you are on a budget Old Glory has US troops in the Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion, and Pancho Villa lines also. Their packaging isn't very well suited to skirmish gaming though (30 infantry or 10 cavalry typically).

Those Redoubt USMC types look great!

[BaronVonJ]

I'm trying to make up my mind too. I'm inclined to use the Artizan. But, Old glory's packaging is great for GASLIGHT. 30 figs= 3 units of ten.

[Westfalia Chris]

William Gibsons "The Difference Engine" refers to New York City being a Communist city state like the Parisian Commune, just successful. I imagine militia in civil war uniforms and the scum of the boroughs forming a Revolutionary Army of the First International...

[lethallee61]

You might also want to check out "Sixguns and Sorcery" - one of the sourcebooks for the Castle Falkenstein RPG from R Talsorian games (I think it's available as a PDF at RPG Now) for an alternate view of VSF America.

In fact, check out anything "Castle Falkenstein" for VSF - one of the best RPG settings ever created IMHO.

[Tommy20]

I'm trying to make up my mind too. I'm inclined to use the Artizan. But, Old glory's packaging is great for GASLIGHT. 30 figs= 3 units of ten.

Something to consider: Old Glory bags tend to have some unusable figures in them, so you would be lucky to actually get those three units.  A particular annoyance is the "Hey Steve!" pose (an otherwise perfectly fine figure with the head attached at a 90 degree plus angle to the front).

[Gluteus Maximus]

I'm trying to make up my mind too. I'm inclined to use the Artizan. But, Old glory's packaging is great for GASLIGHT. 30 figs= 3 units of ten.

Something to consider: Old Glory bags tend to have some unusable figures in them, so you would be lucky to actually get those three units.  A particular annoyance is the "Hey Steve!" pose (an otherwise perfectly fine figure with the head attached at a 90 degree plus angle to the front).

But if you have a razor saw and a Dremel or similar, it's quite easy to cut the head off & re-position it [with a pin and a bit of green stuff added] to give a better pose. I've done this with their British colonial infantry.

I say the above from the point of view of someone who is more likely to suffer a serious injury than complete a successful conversion, so if I can do it.......