Well. Bit of a complicated range to review, this one. Heroes of the Dark Age produce several ranges of "28mm Fantasy and Dark Age figures". Figures suitable for the Dark Ages can be found in their "Heroes", "Dark Ages", "Saxons", "Vikings" and "Normans" ranges.
Care should be taken when purchasing, as each range is by a different sculptor and varies considerably in size! As stated on the website, their Saxon, Norman and Viking figures are 32mm in height. The different ranges also vary in style. The Saxon and Viking ranges for example, come with weapons cast in one piece with the figure. The shields are separate and some figures can be used with or without. The Dark Ages range figures though, have no hands! These are cast with the separate weapons and shields.
The company produces a good range of very individual miniatures, some of which will appeal more to wargamers and others to those involved in role-play type games. I liked the examples of the Saxon and Viking ranges but it is a shame about their size. My army can only accommodate so many giants!
This photo has four figures from Heroes of the Dark Age. The two on the left are examples of their Saxon range, while the two on the right are from their Dark Ages range.
This photo is a comparison shot featuring, from the left, Heroes of the Dark Age Saxon range, Heroes of the Dark Age 'Dark Age' range, Gripping Beast plastic figure, Crusader Miniatures.
Looking for 28mm historical miniature figures? This blog is a database of manufacturers showing who makes what. I am also adding photos showing figures from different makers side by side. The 'Directory' tab has a list of manufacturers showing what ranges they make and a link to their website. The other tabs list what figures are available for that period.
Monday, 11 March 2013
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Painted figures from Tanatus Miniatures.
Some photos comparing Tanatus Miniatures with other manufacturers. The three figures on the left of each photo are the Tanatus fellers...
Painted Perry and Victrix figures.
Here is a comparison photo showing three Perry Miniatures Napoleonic figures on the left, and three Victrix Napoleonic figures on the right.
Painted Perry and Warlord figures.
Here is a comparison photo showing three Perry Miniatures Napoleonic figures on the left and three Warlord Games figures on the right.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Warlord Games Napoleonics comparisons.
A couple of quick comparison shots of plastic Warlord Games Napoleonic French Infantry.
First we have a 'grid shot' of a Warlord figure on the left, a Perry metal miniature in the middle, and a Victrix guy on the right. The difference in the style of the bases makes it a bit tricky to get them lined up well, but the bottom of the feet is level with the zero line on the grid!
Next we have a couple of photos of three Warlord figures on the left and three Victrix on the right. I think they are pretty well matched, although the Warlord shakoes are a bit chunkier!
First we have a 'grid shot' of a Warlord figure on the left, a Perry metal miniature in the middle, and a Victrix guy on the right. The difference in the style of the bases makes it a bit tricky to get them lined up well, but the bottom of the feet is level with the zero line on the grid!
Next we have a couple of photos of three Warlord figures on the left and three Victrix on the right. I think they are pretty well matched, although the Warlord shakoes are a bit chunkier!
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Warlord Games Napoleonic Range
Warlord Games produce their own figures as well as retailing those of other manufacturers. The majority of their own miniatures at the moment are sets of plastic Infantry similar in style to those offered by Perry and Victrix.
They are not as complex to put together as some other manufacturers, which leads to some of the moulded detail being not quite as distinct. The basic figures just need the backpacks and heads gluing on so assembly is pretty rapid. I found, with my very basic skills, that they painted up well. Ideal for building large units quickly and cheaply!
Some comparison shots are on the way. Meanwhile here are a couple of photos of a few painted and ready to fight!
They are not as complex to put together as some other manufacturers, which leads to some of the moulded detail being not quite as distinct. The basic figures just need the backpacks and heads gluing on so assembly is pretty rapid. I found, with my very basic skills, that they painted up well. Ideal for building large units quickly and cheaply!
Some comparison shots are on the way. Meanwhile here are a couple of photos of a few painted and ready to fight!
Friday, 1 February 2013
Painted Vikings by Artizan Designs
Here are a couple of examples of figures from Artizan Designs. They are Viking spearmen from their Dark Ages range.
And for comparison, three Artizan figures on the left with three Crusader figures on the right.
Here are Artizan on left with three Foundry figures on the right.
Artizan on left, Gripping Beast plastic figures on right.
Artizan on left, Redoubt on right.
And finally today, Artizan compared with three Renegade figures on the right.
And for comparison, three Artizan figures on the left with three Crusader figures on the right.
Here are Artizan on left with three Foundry figures on the right.
Artizan on left, Gripping Beast plastic figures on right.
Artizan on left, Redoubt on right.
And finally today, Artizan compared with three Renegade figures on the right.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Tanatus Miniatures
Tanatus Miniatures produce a small range of Dark Age figures. Although labelled as Saxons and Picts, they are fairly generic and could be used for a wider range of Dark Age warriors.
The figures are not as squat-looking as some other manufacturers, being much more anatomically correct.. There is a pleasing amount of fine detail which my photography skills are not good enough to bring out! There was a fair bit of moulding flash on my samples, but nothing that was hard to remove. Spears are separate but supplied in the pack with the figures. I thought they were a bit on the chunky side though. Maybe a move to wire spears would be the way to go?
The Tanatus range is available from North Star Military Figures.
Here are a couple of comparison photos:
The first shows, from left to right, Tanatus, Artizan, Crusader, Foundry.
This next shows left to right, Tanatus, Gripping Beast plastic, Redoubt, Renegade,
The figures are not as squat-looking as some other manufacturers, being much more anatomically correct.. There is a pleasing amount of fine detail which my photography skills are not good enough to bring out! There was a fair bit of moulding flash on my samples, but nothing that was hard to remove. Spears are separate but supplied in the pack with the figures. I thought they were a bit on the chunky side though. Maybe a move to wire spears would be the way to go?
The Tanatus range is available from North Star Military Figures.
Here are a couple of comparison photos:
The first shows, from left to right, Tanatus, Artizan, Crusader, Foundry.
This next shows left to right, Tanatus, Gripping Beast plastic, Redoubt, Renegade,
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Who makes Dark Ages figures?
I thought it might be useful to make a list of manufacturers of 28mm Dark Age figures. I have included figure ranges that roughly cover from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Norman Conquest. Some may be described as 25mm but are included pending further investigation!
The following is everyone I can find. It seems that not all of them are online, and I may have missed some. If anyone knows of any that I've missed, please let me know via the 'comments'. Cheers!
Artizan Designs
Battlestandard
Black Tree Designs
Conquest Games
C P Models
Crusader Miniatures
Dixon Miniatures
Ebob Miniatures
Essex Miniatures
Eureka
Foundry Miniatures
Gripping Beast
HaT Industrie
Heroes Of The Dark Age
Irregular Miniatures
Miniature Design Studio - now available from Caliver Books
Mirliton S G
Musketeer Miniatures
Newline Designs
Old Glory 25s
Outpost Wargame Services
Parkfield Miniatures
Redoubt Enterprises
Renegade Miniatures
Scheltrum Miniatures
Shieldwall Miniatures - no website?
Tanatus Miniatures - distributed by North Star
Tin Soldier UK
Wargames Factory
Warrior Miniatures
West Wind Productions
The following is everyone I can find. It seems that not all of them are online, and I may have missed some. If anyone knows of any that I've missed, please let me know via the 'comments'. Cheers!
Artizan Designs
Battlestandard
Black Tree Designs
Conquest Games
C P Models
Crusader Miniatures
Dixon Miniatures
Ebob Miniatures
Essex Miniatures
Eureka
Foundry Miniatures
Gripping Beast
HaT Industrie
Heroes Of The Dark Age
Irregular Miniatures
Miniature Design Studio - now available from Caliver Books
Mirliton S G
Musketeer Miniatures
Newline Designs
Old Glory 25s
Outpost Wargame Services
Parkfield Miniatures
Redoubt Enterprises
Renegade Miniatures
Scheltrum Miniatures
Shieldwall Miniatures - no website?
Tanatus Miniatures - distributed by North Star
Tin Soldier UK
Wargames Factory
Warrior Miniatures
West Wind Productions
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Painted Foundry Saxons
A few photos of some painted examples of Saxon warriors from Foundry, followed by a couple of comparison shots of other manufacturers figures.
The five figures on the left are by Foundry and the four on the right are Crusader Miniatures
Next we have the Foundry figures compared with three Renegade Miniatures
Here are three Redoubt figures on the right
And finally for today, three plastic Gripping Beast figures on the right
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