15mm Armor Alternatives for Miniature Gaming

[Whiterook]

So MAGNA got me to thinking:
What alternatives are out there to 15mm WWII Armor miniatures, that won't break the bank?

This morphed from a discussion of Axis & Allies Miniatures; and his suggestion that the Battlefront Rules by Fire & Fury would be a perfect match to the AAM system, thereby doubling your playability. There are many miniatures wargamers out there, playing a host of systems from AAM to Flames of War. Each system has it's merits, and thereby it's own dedicated following; and many miniatures game systems sell products specific to their own game system, and usually at a hefty price.

Some wargamers are "purists", in that they would never dream of mixing and matching components, or outright substitutions. Neither would many of these gamers dream of mixing scales, minute though the differences may be. But for each purist, there is a renegade; a rogue gamer gamer that flys in the face of decorum and proclaims in a commanding voice for all the world to hear, "Chill out, Dude!".

I am a rogue!

I love Axis & Allies miniatures, especially it's vehicles. They do the job quite handily. I look at my collection, and certain anatomy features swell with pride. However, I was born in frugal New England, in the fair State of Massachusetts, and I know the value of a buck. I'm not saying I'm a cheap SOB...far from it...my meager bank account will testify to that little gem of a fact! My simple credo in frugality translates directly to the simple outcome that: the more money I can save on gaming expeditures on any one system, means I have that much more money to spend on another gaming system. I am of the age-old belief that, the one with the most toys, wins! And ladies and gentlemen, I am in the running for victory!!!

OK, so back to the point. Axis & Allies Miniatures armor are 15 mm. I am assuming that the Battlefront Rules utilize about the same scale miniatures, from what MAGNA has mentioned...I have to look more into this system, so perhaps I am ahead of myself here (wouldn't be the first time!). I have added onto my AAM system armor with a brand of miniatures called Classic Armor. These are in the 1/144 scale, which place them at about 14mm; that's not far a jump, and I can be pretty anal about stuff like that at times. The thing is, I have picked up armor at a tenth of the price I would pay for the AAM miniatures. WalMart, for instance, sold them at $0.97 cents a pop (I pretty much bought out the stock in my area stores)! I have seen them range from there, up towards the $4-8 dollar range, which can still be a good deal.

For a peek at Classic Armor, check out the following website for Foxhole Toys: 1/144
NOTE: I'm sure there are other websites out there that sell them, so by all means shop around.

So I ask...do you know of any good Armor alternatives for 15mm wargaming?

[lufttiger]

The only ones i have collected is GHQ, their 1/285 scale, and you get
like 5 tanks per pack.

GHQ Models: Micro Armour minature military models, Micronaut 1/2400 naval minature models, Terain Maker and Micro Force

[Whiterook]

Cool LT! Those are sweet little beauties, from what I have heard. Very popular in the wargaming community. The beauty of those are, you can set up much bigger battles in a smaller space. Great for Platoon, Company, and even Corps sized battles.

What system do you use them with? Diorama based gaming with tape measures, or grid based?

[lufttiger]

Never got that far, too many pruds in my town. So...i've yet to do it.
I have a bunch of modern stuff that was given to me, but have alot of WW2
German stuff as well, along with some ships.

[Whiterook]

Hey, until you get actual mega battles going, there's always making diorama battles. I always thought it'd be cool to do a large scale battle diorama! World War II is made for that! It's a side reason I buy Axis & Allies Miniatures, thought they're a bit on the big side.

I saw a movie several years ago, that I believe starred Wesley Snipes? in which he had a battle dio that he lowered into place from a huge elevated platform, lowered via chains. I can't remember the movie, and I'd love to see it again just for that scene!

[MAGNA]

I use 20mm , 1/72nd , 1/76th scale since 15mm wasn't around for WWII when I started. The only 15mm stuff was white metal Napoleonics and our group already had a heap of 20mm plastic (around 5000 figures now). The 15mm Naps looked like hobbits with big boots on back then. They are much better now though.

The one thing i would like to have again is a sand table. Infinite possibilities for terrain and types. Very easy to remodel into whatever you want too. One day.

A friend of mine has a 15mm early WWII collection. Russian and German at this stage. They are Flames of War models which he has painted up very well. His problem is the cost. He has some T34/76 and PzIV short barrels. He wants to get later war models of each but said it was expensive to buy six more of each.

I decided to try an experiment. If it works I will post the how to on the modelling tips thread. It basically involves making the new turrets in 15mm with balsa, plastic, and some kind of rod for the barrels.

Once these are right I will make the moulds for each and we will pour some resin turrets. I plan to incorporate metal rods in the mould so the barrel will be in the turret as poured. The estimate for six of each is about $10 AU ($9 - $9.50 US). That will be for all twelve turrets.

Since you blokes are resourceful and Modellers to boot I thought you could perhaps do the same for yourselves - maybe even sell some on Ebay to cover your costs. That's what we are hoping to do.