Advice please - what's the mutt's nuts in 15mm WWII right now?

[Captain Blood]

Hola

One of my best friends has his big 5-0 birthday this summer. He's a very occasional wargamer, but quite a keen modeller and painter. He's built up quite a collection of 15mm Flames of War vehicles, armour and figures, mainly German and British later war I think from what he's shown me / told me (interestingly, although I've known him for 30 years and do rope him into the occasional game, he's not a wargaming friend first and foremost. So ironically, we don't discuss wargames that much, and I've never really looked too closely at his collection... )

However, I'm looking to buy him something really nice for his big birthday, and since I don't know the first thing about 15mm WWII, I was wondering what would be a particularly smashing present for him?
Is there anything new / gorgeous / special out there in 15mm WWII-land which would be a desirable 'must-have'? Some lovely new buildings or terrain perhaps? A new rules set or system? A new manufacturer on the block with some particularly tasty figures or models? Some new paint sets or range of decals?

Or should I just buy him another batch of Flames of War 'product'? And if so, what? Anything particularly good they've come out with recently?
(I kind of feel I'd like to show him there's a better world out there beyond FoW. But maybe that's not the case?  )

Any / all advice gratefully received.

[Poiter50]

If buying 15mm and FoW related, BF are about to release a boxed set of plastic Comets. Very much late war and the wrinkles have been ironed out of their early plastic production problems.

[Cubs]

Yeah, the game might have its detractors, but you can't argue with the lovely mins that BF have released lately. I very, very nearly fell for their North Africa stuff - Vickers II tanks in 15mm ... so cute!

[tomek917]

I don't think you can go much wrong with any of the latest FOW-kits, they all look good to me.

If you want to give him something other than FOW I would recommend Fall of the Reich, the late war supplement to the Battlegroup rules. It's my favourite ruleset and the Fall off the Reich book is the best one of the supplements, full of interesting army lists with all those weird late war units, some nice historical scenarios, painting guides and it really brings a late war feel to the games. Highly recommended!

[V]

Well of course Battlegroup rules is the way forward, great rules and eye candy to boot... but im biased as I write the books with Warwick.   



PSC have some new plastic 15mm Late War German Grenadiers out soon. I threw some paint on a couple...

[Captain Blood]

They look great. Thanks for the suggestions. Please keep them coming... Maybe I will take a shopping basket round Salute and buy him a selection box 

[carlos marighela]

Pretty much any of the recent PSC plastic vehicles would probably fit the bill. They do some lovely stuff.

[Keith]

The PSC Lloyd carriers and 6pdr guns are rather wonderful IMO.

[Captain Blood]

Thanks Keith. I shall take your recommendation on that one.

So, maybe some FoW Comets, some PSC carriers and 6pdrs, PSC late war German grenadiers, a copy of Battlegroup rules...

What about on the scenics front? Any 'must have' recently 15mm buildings or scenic accessories out there for WW2?

[Poiter50]

This guy -

http://neveu.blog4ever.com/articles/decors-en-15-mm

Thanks Keith. I shall take your recommendation on that one.

So, maybe some FoW Comets, some PSC carriers and 6pdrs, PSC late war German grenadiers, a copy of Battlegroup rules...

What about on the scenics front? Any 'must have' recently 15mm buildings or scenic accessories out there for WW2?

[V]

Thanks Keith. I shall take your recommendation on that one.

So, maybe some FoW Comets, some PSC carriers and 6pdrs, PSC late war German grenadiers, a copy of Battlegroup rules...

What about on the scenics front? Any 'must have' recently 15mm buildings or scenic accessories out there for WW2?

Cap'n,

If you are buying Battlegroup and PSC at Salute, come find us on our demo game and I will see if Will at PSC will chuck you in the the mini rulebook for free with one of the supplements if you are getying some kits too.

Drop me a PM nearer to Salute and I will let ya know our table number.

Piers

[Maichus]

Heer46 does some very nice 15mm WWII miniatures/kits. Mostly 'What if'-subject but also strictly historicals like an officer in fur hat, etc.

Maybe these float his boat?

http://www.heer46shop.de/39202120/startseite

[Captain Blood]

Cap'n,

If you are buying Battlegroup and PSC at Salute, come find us on our demo game and I will see if Will at PSC will chuck you in the the mini rulebook for free with one of the supplements if you are getying some kits too.

Drop me a PM nearer to Salute and I will let ya know our table number.

Piers

That's kind of you Piers, thank you.
I'll check in with you nearer the time.
Cheers.
Richard

[panzerfaust65]

I don't think you can go much wrong with any of the latest FOW-kits, they all look good to me.

If you want to give him something other than FOW I would recommend Fall of the Reich, the late war supplement to the Battlegroup rules. It's my favourite ruleset and the Fall off the Reich book is the best one of the supplements, full of interesting army lists with all those weird late war units, some nice historical scenarios, painting guides and it really brings a late war feel to the games. Highly recommended!

Thank for the information I think I will look into buying these.
panzer

[NTM]

Not new but the recently relaunched Tiger Terrain buildings seem worth a look

http://www.tigerterrain.com/normandy-buildings.html