It's an enjoyable time for me with a fresh start looming. I have decided that as much as I like the AB 20mm WW2 figures I'm not going to go any further with them, I'll probably paint the rest of what I have and eBay them, probably get my metal cost back. Main reasons I think are that I did Bolt Action to death a few years back, and the cost of the AB's at £1.30p each is right at the top end of metal soldiers, more than most 28mm ranges even. I do understand that they are top quality but they are just not doing it for me.
As the release date for the Warlord Games Epic ACW approaches I am increasingly drawn to them, and having cancelled my pre ordered epic bundle due to disappointment at the single sprue to represent both sides, I decided to take another look and this has resulted in my ordering the £90.00 starter set which contains no less than 2400 figures! Thoughts of one day returning to my favourite period again have long been in the back of my mind, but I knew that it had to be something fresh and would present an enjoyable painting challenge without being prohibitively expensive or time consuming. The video linked below sold it for me finally and I just can't wait to get my hands on the figures now. The more I see the sprues the more I can see the huge potential and the one thing that bothered me most (the lack of kepis on the Union sprue) has been resolved by the guy in the video who has simply shaved down the hats with a sharp blade, exactly what I plan to do. As a former re enactor of the ACW I could go on and nit pick uniform and equipment details, but at this scale I can certainly live with that. I do like the way this guy has also replaced the officer with a mounted commander too as it gives the command base more impact.
As always I really don't know where this project will go or end up, but in the back of my mind for probably years now has been a return to the original brigade level Fire & Fury rules which I know were not perfect, but for me was probably one of the very few sets of rules that ever brought the period alive as a game, and I must have played almost every set over the years up to around 1990 or so. I can see 8 to 12 of these bases having real visual impact as a brigade.
Finally I have to mention the price of these little figures at less than 4p each, I mean who can seriously argue with that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEDZmz_zKpg
Didn't manage to get my hands on one of the freebie sprues and I see they are going for around a tenner each on eBay, but the release date is not far off now anyway.
Good choice Lee, if I didnt have so much invested in my 28mm ACW I would do the same.
ReplyDeleteI tried hard but just not resist!
DeleteI think you will enjoy these. They are actually a bit cheaper per figure if you take into account that the box also has a trimmed Black Power rule book and a booklet based on the Glory Hallelujah supplement, plus a building and fencing, so it is quite the steal!
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of having either individual bases or pairs of bases representing the regiment - whereas the system was suggesting 5 bases to the regiment, which becomes a 300mm line, so a 60mm to 120mm frontaged regiment would become my preference.
I already game the period / scale with my 12mm Kallistra and they do give a nice ‘big battle’ effect in a smaller space,
Definitely a great deal Norm! What has become clear is that they work very well beside kallistra 12mm's, so could also be good for that company. I must admit the mass effect of these shoulder to shoulder figures is spectacular. I grabbed a couple of sprues today from ebay for £21.00!!! then an hour later David Crook offered me his one for free :) All good though as they will get me started.
DeleteI don’t think you will be disappointed I have my Peter Pig 15’s which I’m keeping and using these little guys for big games. Give me a shout Lee I’m test printing some ACW figures from Eskice miniatures - theyre 15 which I’ve scaled down and look remarkably like the epic pieces.
ReplyDeleteI’ve also treat myself to the geek villain 6x4 Gettysburg mat 🤣
Hi Graham, you really can't beat the PP ACW's they are just perfect in design and accurate detail of uniforms and equipment. I think it was just the low cost of the plastics that I could not resist, even if I end up selling them again down the line (you know me!) I won't have paid out a lot :) I'm hoping though that this one will be a keeper and regain my interest in gaming. Prints sound interesting, I'm starting to see so many good figure prints now, love to see what results you get. I must go look at that mat now.
DeleteMe too Graham - please put some up on your blog be interested to see those prints too.. and as for you Lee, I knew that you would do good stuff with these epic's so I'm pleased you changed your mind, LOL..
DeleteSteve, I now have a couple of sprues to hand, my first impression is that I'm not sure! I'll get one painted and see what I think then. Oh, and I have painted and ordered more AB 20mm's now :)
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