FIGURES (read "soldiers"):
Almost all I have is Old Glory. I like the cheap bags of about 50 soldiers each. For $13, they come at 26¢ apiece. I do think that they have of the most correct proportions of what's available, and are well detailed. The downside is that some come a bit out of register: the two halves formed from the mold aren't perfectly aligned. So you have to cut away some pewter to correct this. Not a big deal.

Some bags come with more than you need. For example: the German LMG (44-45) pack comes with lotsa gunners and loaders, standing and prone. Logically, you'll wind up having many extras,, but you can share the price of these bags with a friend, and save money!

Whatever Old Glory doesn't make, I buy from Battlefront or Peter Pig. For example, Soviet scouts, dismounted tankers, Fallschirmjäger with FG-42s only. Battlefront and Peter Pig are a bit thicker, but they blend in nicely. There are big boned people in reality, also!

The resculpted Quality Castings are very similar to Old Glory, and I also have a few of these to complete my teams with specific weapons, like the DShK LCMG.

My infantry collection is probably
70% Old Glory
15% Battlefront
10% Peter Pig
5%  Quality Castings

VEHICLES:
Quality Castings are great. Very fine details, and good proportions. Some exceptions, however. The KV-1 and KV-2 appear smaller than they should be. The T-34 tracks, noted for their width, are narrow. But in general, their casting quality outshines their competition. They have a wealth of varied vehicles to choose from, not just Tigers, Panzer IVs and Shermans.

Old Glory AFVs are also great, and I think the cheapest (in the USA and its colonies) at $7 a tank (3 for $21). They also look better when blown up, because of the realistic turret ring in the hulls. My KV-1s and KV-2s are theirs, for they have a better size and angularity than QC's. T-34 tracks are accurate. On the bad side, their castings are a little off. Somtimes the tracks don't fit well to the hull, or leave gaps, or the like. OG mixes well with QC, within the same tank platoons (say, Panzer IIIFs, or T-34s).

Battlefront vehicles have the adavantage of weighting less. Also, for being part resin, their details are very good, especially the models that they have been redoing for the last 3 or 4 years. They are the most expensive, barring Peter Pig (of which I don't even think of buying tanks for the price!) at $8 a vehicle, mostly. Their line is also huge, and growing fast: they put out 3 to 10 new vehicles every month.

I'd say that my vehicle collection is
45% Quality Castings
40% Old Glory
15% Battlefront

-- Rolando, 16 Apr 05

Kelly, I disagree with you too! ;-) There is merit to what you say, but the Panzer III's from QC, PP, & OG are very 'mixable'. Only the BF is in a class of itself for the above stated reasons.

But this is model specific, not brand specific. Another example are the Pz IV's. OG, BF, & QC work well together. PP is the odd man out.

For T-34's, PP & OG go together, BF & QC no.

For Stugs, PP, BF, QC, and OG could all work together.

Again, I can send pics to anyone who asks, if you want to see & make your own call.

-- Need New Name, 06 Jul 2004

I only know about infantry and have found both companies vary in quality and what is available.

OLD GLORY:
Some OG is superb while other OG sculpts are poor and also can be let down by the casting process, but don't write OG off, just try and see what you are buying first. Most of the main German infantry and Allies are fine but some of what I suspect are later additions like the US inf in greatcoats are not so good. To me it looks like their earlier and better sculpters have left. If you are after Japs get OG as they are excellent (BF don't do Japs yet). OG are very awkward to buy as they sell 50 infantry of one type per pack, so if you need panzerfausts you have to buy 50 which is way too much for most people. They work out cheaper than BF, I guess you could sell the excess pack infantry on ebay.

BATTLEFRONT (Flames Of War)
I am just getting in to this company and I must say they are very nice and are now my preference over OG. They still look like some infantry sculpts are better than others but at least BF are actively remastering lots of their own range to weed out anything they consider not up to scratch. These too can also be a little awkward to buy if you are not using the right rules that fit their packs.

My choice would be to go for BF and use their FOW rules. The main reason is their ongoing dedication to keep improving their range and excellent customer support. OG rarely release new items now compaired to BF. But take a look at both types before you buy because the infantry are very different to each other and I have found some people definatly having a preference.

-- Warpainter, 06 Aug 2004

A quick guide:

In general terms,

PP is shade over 1/100, OG-Skytrex is a shade under. Battlefront is disproportionately over 1/100, making their tanks a near 20% larger in height, but not so in length & width.

PP has few tanks, so I can offer this: PP Tigers are simply the best, hands down. I also prefer their Panthers, as I find the BF's too tall.

For Panzer III's, OG, PP & QC mix nicely and are quality. BF's again, is too tall, & more simplistic.

For Stugs, PP & BF are comparable, and I especially like the BF F/8's.

For T-34's & Shermans, it's PP & OG-Skytrex for me. The BF's are again...too tall.

I do really like the BF Panzer IV's which oddly mix well with OG & QC. PP IV's, are OK, but I like the others more.

-- Blowtorch Battalion, 02 Dec 2004

I happen to have some of the QC new Soviets on my desk right now. They scale nicely with OG/PP and the detail is decent but not great. The figs I have are a sampler they sent me, so I don't know exactly which packs they are from. I do like the proprtions a lot. Like the previous poster, I'm not a fan of BF infantry because they mostly look like hulking offensive linemen (American football) to me. I've got some of the QC Germans on my painting desk now and they are painting up nicely. Once based and ready, they'll fit in perfectly with my OG Germans.

Later

Brian

-- BCantwell, 12 Jul 2004

Of OG, BF, PP, and QC, I think they all fit in pretty well with one another. Its more a matter of personal taste IMO. OG and QC will be slimmer than BF and PP. Also, OG and QC sculpt styles are very similar, while the BF and PP styles more cloely resemble each other.

I have figs from them all and I prefer Battlefront, and Peter Pig.

I have no experience with other companies' products.

-- Great Day in the Morning, 12 Jul 2004