Is World War 2 the most expensive era ?

[Colonel White]

As my Birthday is on the horizon ( 1st November) I am beginning to turn my attention to my US troops.

Whilst AB figs are the most expensive and IMO the best, they do a great platoon offer for around £50.00. This does interest me as KGN does use the 1:1 ratio and therefore this would be most suitable. This will also give me the exact numbers I need without any "waste" and simplifies the ordering which has to be done the old fashioned way of over the phone. Although the alternative would be to order them through Millicast over the web who have given me good service previously. All the troops are available in sets and mini sets such as Bazooka and loader so you know exactly what you are getting and not buying soldiers that you will not be using.

I can see the fly in the ointment is going to be waiting for PSC to do the transports ie the M3 halftracks. Therfore I may have to borrow the 6x6 trucks from the supply dept!.

A goodvalue M3 halftrack does appear to be lacking in 20mm. The Skytrex is a fine model but is very expensive when you need 4 for a platoon. The Italieri quick build is of the earlier type with the machine gun mounted on a post within the halftrack . I could probably get away with using the odd one but thats about it. The Airfix model looks to me the model of the shorter M2 halftrack which was used to tow guns and is fine for that purpose.

[Parus Ater]

As detailing of the kit goes on AB they're perfect, the only failing is the use of three mag thompson pouches (known as the "3cell") instead of the correct for Europe 5cell.

They are the only choice for 20mm.

[NTM]

A goodvalue M3 halftrack does appear to be lacking in 20mm. The Skytrex is a fine model but is very expensive when you need 4 for a platoon. The Italieri quick build is of the earlier type with the machine gun mounted on a post within the halftrack . I could probably get away with using the odd one but thats about it. The Airfix model looks to me the model of the shorter M2 halftrack which was used to tow guns and is fine for that purpose.

Frontline worth a look @ £4.40 for an M3A1

[Big Al]

Brittania (now Grubby tanks) do a good one too at £6

[Rook]

I have small 1940 armies (French brits and German) in 20mm and have tried Panzer Marche (which I think is now out of print now the writers are doing the Maggabucks WWII rules for Warhammer Historic and am currently trying out Rules of Engagement with these guys. I am very tempted to try Rof E in 28mm as thats what most of my terrain is and the down and dirty infantry warfare isn't a glamourous as the tanks but does it for me. I ran a reasonably chunky mid war German army in Flames of War but IMO it sacrificed the feel of WWII for 'playability'. For me the tank heavy rules ignore the impact of the infantry formations that made up so much of the armies so I think I will stick to skirmishes. Stalking the armour through the ruins with my anti tank team or flushing the enemy out of the hedgeline is my kind of scenario but I guess its not for everyone.

[Colonel White]

The answer posed by my very own question is no it it isn't. The most expensive I am finding is Cold War especially if you are collecting the Soviets. In short, the models are very difficult to get hold of. There is only one source for the main MBT of Russia for the 3rd Shock army ie the T64 and at around £11.00 each for a Resin model and you need around 13 of these for a full strength company on a one to one basis.

[Invisible officer]

Well, compared to my 1/1250 Lissa 1866 that's not expensive. There are no gaming models available, so you must use the German and Austrian collector's models. That's 20 - 45 Euros a model. And you need a full fleet of them.
I got some second hand but some most are newer makes, not on the second hand market.

If Land warfare only, 1/1 ratio 4cm AWI is not realy cheap. 2,10 £ or more for a foot soldier, a company costs around 80 - 100. Depending on the unit size. Fortunately the fielded units had been small.

[Panzermike]

I dont want to know what I have spent on FoW suffice to say a lot, however 28mm has always been a favourite of mine. When I got into Rules of Engagement I decided to go Fallschirmjager and that has so far cost me no more than £75 including the rulebook, template and good quality tokens. Ok I have not grabbed a vehicle as yet but for a box set, an extra squad blister, HMG blister, Tank hunter blister and a pak 40 I consider that pretty good going. Based on RoE I am looking at getting probably a StuG, an extra squad and a few other vehicles. If the other Rule sets and the new one planned by Warlord games stick to the 1:1 skirmish games I see 28mm gaming being very easy on the wallet. Based on how RoE works I'm looking at getting an SS force and a straight Heer force along with a British unit to encourage other mates to get involved and even with getting some more shiney new tanks it still is quite reasonable expenditure as compared to how bonkers you can get in FoW. If you try and game in every period offered in Flames of War you will be spending big bucks thats for sure and yes I like the game very much but I am moving more to the 28mm size and in paricular Warlord Games as I really enjoy the models and in my opinion get great value for money. The models are of excellent quality and I like the bigger scale for better detail.

[Colonel White]

In answer to my own question I have found a period which I am currently involved with which is far more expensive. Collecting a Soviet force for the Cold War period is very expensive unless of course you are just skirmish gaming. Bearing in mind for tanks you will need a 4-1 majority over the Nato opponent. Here you are talking about £11.00 per resin tank and after my last calculation , I need somewherre in the region of 60 MBTs and probably a slighly smaller number of troop carriers. You will be looking around a £1000.00 to complete.

Try and beat that!

[grant]

In answer to my own question I have found a period which I am currently involved with which is far more expensive. Collecting a Soviet force for the Cold War period is very expensive unless of course you are just skirmish gaming. Bearing in mind for tanks you will need a 4-1 majority over the Nato opponent. Here you are talking about £11.00 per resin tank and after my last calculation , I need somewherre in the region of 60 MBTs and probably a slighly smaller number of troop carriers. You will be looking around a £1000.00 to complete.

Try and beat that!

I think Russian for any period is expensive! Napoleonics, Crimea, WW1, Revolution, WW2, Cold War - the volume of the Russians is what kills off many less intrepid (and all the poor) collectors.

Incidentally - this is a great website for ORBATS for Cold War Russians http://armouredacorn.com/ - run by a former Canadian Intelligence Officer. Download everything if you are interested, he hasn't updated the site in 3 years, and I wouldn't be surprised if he drops it eventually.