Hi
I have a large collection of Armourfast tanks which I have accumulated over the years matched by a sizeable force of Valiant plastic figures.
I want to migrate to metal 20mm figures but which ranges are the best fit for Armourfast? I have read a few favourable reviews of Kelly’s Heroes range from Grubby Tanks, also the Battlefield Blitz range but would appreciate feedback from other members before I dive in!
Cheers
Changing Valiants
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Re: Changing Valiants
Hi Captain,
I've also got lots of AF tanks, 'though my Valiants are used to bulk out my Raventhorpe Commandos as they're a match height-wise.
Kelly's Heroes & Battlefield are nice figures. Britannia (again from Andy Grubb) are a similar height, but "chunkier". I've also got FAA in my mix.
I'd avoid SHQ - lovely figures, but 1/76th scale.
Interestingly, I've just found this site & posting:http://wargaming.info/2005/20mm-176th-a ... dFm8mhSxPY unfortunately, I can't find an equivalent to the excellent Plastic Soldier Review website for metal figures.
A key thing to recall is that, unless you're going to use Raventhorpe, any metals that you get will be considerably smaller than your Valiants
So, question... why are you doing the swap? Plastic is a lot lighter
Also, where are you based? If near Manchester, then you'd be more than welcome to pop round & see my various figures to check sizing for yourself.
Hope that this helps
Cheers
Colin
I've also got lots of AF tanks, 'though my Valiants are used to bulk out my Raventhorpe Commandos as they're a match height-wise.
Kelly's Heroes & Battlefield are nice figures. Britannia (again from Andy Grubb) are a similar height, but "chunkier". I've also got FAA in my mix.
I'd avoid SHQ - lovely figures, but 1/76th scale.
Interestingly, I've just found this site & posting:http://wargaming.info/2005/20mm-176th-a ... dFm8mhSxPY unfortunately, I can't find an equivalent to the excellent Plastic Soldier Review website for metal figures.
A key thing to recall is that, unless you're going to use Raventhorpe, any metals that you get will be considerably smaller than your Valiants
So, question... why are you doing the swap? Plastic is a lot lighter

Also, where are you based? If near Manchester, then you'd be more than welcome to pop round & see my various figures to check sizing for yourself.
Hope that this helps
Cheers
Colin
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Re: Changing Valiants
Hi Colin
Thanks for reaching out. After much consideration, have opted for AB which are exquisite. Weight of figures is not particularly an issue for me but unfortunately sticking to the Valiants (which are themselves great figures) is increasingly limiting as few other ranges, with exception of Raventhorpe, are compatible.
Appreciate the kind offer of a viewing but I’m a soft Southerner unfortunately so would be quite a stretch!
Cheers
Thanks for reaching out. After much consideration, have opted for AB which are exquisite. Weight of figures is not particularly an issue for me but unfortunately sticking to the Valiants (which are themselves great figures) is increasingly limiting as few other ranges, with exception of Raventhorpe, are compatible.
Appreciate the kind offer of a viewing but I’m a soft Southerner unfortunately so would be quite a stretch!
Cheers
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Re: Changing Valiants
Hi Captain,
Of course, AB are also not cheap £1 per figure (ish) plus postage... mind you as you're a southerner & probably used to beer at £5 a pint, they'll probably seem cheap
So what are you doing with your Valiants?
I had some, mixed in with my Raventhorpe Commandos... then decided to bulk out my infantry (to 4 companies in 121 scale)... but then they wouldn't fit in storage boxes, so swapped with one of the guys at the club who's doing Guards Armoured Division & wanted some slightly larger figures for his Guards infantry... of course, this means that I'm back to square 1 with needing to rebulk my commandos!!
Ah, the joys of a wargamer!
Cheers
Colin
Of course, AB are also not cheap £1 per figure (ish) plus postage... mind you as you're a southerner & probably used to beer at £5 a pint, they'll probably seem cheap

So what are you doing with your Valiants?
I had some, mixed in with my Raventhorpe Commandos... then decided to bulk out my infantry (to 4 companies in 121 scale)... but then they wouldn't fit in storage boxes, so swapped with one of the guys at the club who's doing Guards Armoured Division & wanted some slightly larger figures for his Guards infantry... of course, this means that I'm back to square 1 with needing to rebulk my commandos!!
Ah, the joys of a wargamer!

Cheers
Colin
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Re: Changing Valiants

£5 a pint? Those were the days! Thankfully there’s always Wetherspoons to drink in instead of wine bars!
Love the Valiants but now settled on the AB’s, want to move on ASAP to clear some room in the loft. Painted and unpainted Valiants available for knock down price including Valiant metals - any takers?
Off for a pint now!
Cap
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Re: Changing Valiants
Cap'n,
Could do with knowing what you have & an idea of what you're looking for price-wise... I mean, if they're cheap enough, I might be interested
Cheers
Colin
Could do with knowing what you have & an idea of what you're looking for price-wise... I mean, if they're cheap enough, I might be interested

Cheers
Colin
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Re: Changing Valiants
Hi Colin
This is what I've got stored in the attic:
Metals
German IG18 75mm infantry gun and 3 crew - unopened
German PaK40 75mm AT gun and 3 crew - primed
British 6-pounder Anti-Tank Gun and Crew - primed
British Paras - primed
Plastics
British Tommies 1944-45 - few painted, majority in box on sprue
Classic German Infantry 1944-45 - painted and based
American GIs 1942-44 - painted and based
Germans in Normandy 1944 - painted and based
German Paratroops - few painted, majority in box on sprue
German leFH 18 105mm Howitzer and Crew - unopened
British 6-pounder Anti-Tank Gun and Crew - unopened
German Paratroop Heavy Weapons - unopened
Looking to declutter so open to offers + postage costs
cheers
Cap
This is what I've got stored in the attic:
Metals
German IG18 75mm infantry gun and 3 crew - unopened
German PaK40 75mm AT gun and 3 crew - primed
British 6-pounder Anti-Tank Gun and Crew - primed
British Paras - primed
Plastics
British Tommies 1944-45 - few painted, majority in box on sprue
Classic German Infantry 1944-45 - painted and based
American GIs 1942-44 - painted and based
Germans in Normandy 1944 - painted and based
German Paratroops - few painted, majority in box on sprue
German leFH 18 105mm Howitzer and Crew - unopened
British 6-pounder Anti-Tank Gun and Crew - unopened
German Paratroop Heavy Weapons - unopened
Looking to declutter so open to offers + postage costs
cheers
Cap
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Re: Changing Valiants
Hi Cap,
Just spotted this & realised that I'd not responded...
I hate it when people ask for offers... do you go in really cheaply & p*** them off or what
It's also complicated by the fact that I have an account at our local wholesalers so can get them at trade prices...
I've just moved on my Valiant Brits as a swap with some more "standard sized" infantry - one of the other members of our club wanted some figures to "stand out" as infantry for his Guards Armoured Division unit, so they fitted the bill perfectly... he might be interested in more & I'm thinking of some figures for my M/C recon unit (German) & to re-bulk out my D Day commandos... & I sold my German Paras on as I found them too fiddly to look "right"... don't mind the odd pose, but not (nearly) all of them...
So... how insulted would you be if I said £5 for each? (as I've not yet spoken to the others to see if they're interested in expanding what they have, so I could be left with some that I'm less "chuffed" about (if that makes sense)
Cheers
Colin
Just spotted this & realised that I'd not responded...
I hate it when people ask for offers... do you go in really cheaply & p*** them off or what

It's also complicated by the fact that I have an account at our local wholesalers so can get them at trade prices...

I've just moved on my Valiant Brits as a swap with some more "standard sized" infantry - one of the other members of our club wanted some figures to "stand out" as infantry for his Guards Armoured Division unit, so they fitted the bill perfectly... he might be interested in more & I'm thinking of some figures for my M/C recon unit (German) & to re-bulk out my D Day commandos... & I sold my German Paras on as I found them too fiddly to look "right"... don't mind the odd pose, but not (nearly) all of them...
So... how insulted would you be if I said £5 for each? (as I've not yet spoken to the others to see if they're interested in expanding what they have, so I could be left with some that I'm less "chuffed" about (if that makes sense)
Cheers
Colin
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- Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am
Re: Changing Valiants
That’s fine Colin.
I can box them up this weekend. Just let me have your contacts.
Cheers
Cap
I can box them up this weekend. Just let me have your contacts.
Cheers
Cap