Page 1 of 2
Seeking Infantry Base Size Recommendation
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:04 pm
by Timothy OConnor
Returning to micro armor after long switch to 15mm. 15mm and 20mm product lines just don't cover available modern AFVs like GHQ's micro armor (eg 15mm product lines don't have all of the Stryker variations).
So, I'm seeking recommendations for infantry base sizes assuming 3-5 figures per base. I'm considering:
option A: 1" wide x 1" deep
option B: 1" wide x 3/4" deep
option C: 3/4" wide x 3/4" deep
Don't want to go smaller than this to make handling the bases as easy as possible. But are these sizes too large for 3 to 5 1/285 figures?
I intend to use Litko's 3mm think wood bases to mount vehicles as well as infantry. All bases would be 1" wide and depth would vary based on vehicle size. Vehicle scale is 1:1, infantry scale is half-squad or heavy weapon+crew per stand.
Thanks in advance!
Tim
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:23 pm
by Pitfall
I use 1"x1" metal stands for my infantry. You can fit 4-6 figs per base and still have room for a decal for identification purposes. Also, the metal bases can be secured in a box with a magnet so they don't move around.
I don't base my vehicles becasue it is hard to find a standard base size for all sizes of the vehicles.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:29 pm
by CountRingworm
i am currently basing my first squads, and i used 1/16" balsa wood strips from the hobby store. they're 1" wide and about 18" long for about 80 cents. i cut them into 1x1" squares.
i may switch over to the metal bases for ease of storage and transport in magnetic cases, or buy a sheet of magnet paper and glue that on the bottom of the existing bases. not sure which i'll do yet.
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:30 am
by Timothy OConnor
Thanks for the suggestions! I forgot that I had some old 6mm metal Space Marine figures (very old!). I just based those on some 30mm x 25mm bases that I had laying around and they looked great! A modern US squad on two bases using GHQ figures (one with 4 figures and one with 5 figures) should look good too.
What's the height on fully erect GHQ individual figures, base of feet to top of helmet? I had heard that they're about 6mm or slightly larger than "true" 1/285. True?
Tim
Re: Seeking Infantry Base Size Recommendation
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:48 am
by jb
Timothy OConnor wrote:Returning to micro armor after long switch to 15mm. 15mm and 20mm product lines just don't cover available modern AFVs like GHQ's micro armor (eg 15mm product lines don't have all of the Stryker variations).
So, I'm seeking recommendations for infantry base sizes assuming 3-5 figures per base. I'm considering:
option A: 1" wide x 1" deep
option B: 1" wide x 3/4" deep
option C: 3/4" wide x 3/4" deep
Don't want to go smaller than this to make handling the bases as easy as possible. But are these sizes too large for 3 to 5 1/285 figures?
I intend to use Litko's 3mm think wood bases to mount vehicles as well as infantry. All bases would be 1" wide and depth would vary based on vehicle size. Vehicle scale is 1:1, infantry scale is half-squad or heavy weapon+crew per stand.
Thanks in advance!
Tim
...these are 3/4"X3/4" ,(and 1/2"X1/2" command) bases that I use for Micro armour ,or as we call it 6mm.
Even thogh the troops in the pics are closer to 7mm ; you will notice that they still look good and not too bunched up for presentation.

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:08 pm
by pmaidhof
ok, I've broken down and plan to base my vehicles and any new infantry on 1"x1"x1/16" balsa wood squares. While I assume that I would use white glue to adhere the flocking to the wood, which glue is generally used to secure the figures to the balsa wood base?
Thanks in advance.
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:38 am
by Pitfall
Zap-a-gap or something similar to that would work well to glue the figures to the base.
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:27 am
by pmaidhof
zap-a-gap being a general type of "super glue" commonly used to glue micro armor and its small component pieces? Wasn't certain that super glue would bond the pewter and wood, while it certainly does a good job between flesh and pewter.
Thanks
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:29 am
by CountRingworm
i use white glue to stick my infantry figures on the balsa. works really well so far, since they're so light. not sure if it'd work as well on vehicles.
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:54 am
by ShortRound70
Tim:
I use 1" diameter X 1/16" thick plastic discs for my infantry squads. (I found these at my wife's teacher supply store, School Aids.) I use pennies for the support weapon teams, headquarters, engineer, and scout teams. They work well for me. The 1" square is a good option. Just look at JB's infantry. Great stuff as always. It boils down to preference. Whatever works for you, works.
S/f
SR70
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:35 am
by dnichols
I use 3mm plastic sheets you can get a most hobby shops for my bases. I used balsa before but after time they tended to split along the grain of the wood. The plastic you just score and snap.
5 figures per stand, 1" by 1".
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:59 pm
by David F
Tim,
I would go with option 'B'. Infantry tend to hold more frontage than depth in real life. You can have it represented better with that particular choice.
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:22 am
by CountRingworm
finally got around to basing some of my stuff tonight.
i'm using the balsa wood for a base, 1/16" thick with a piece of magnetic tape stuck to the bottom of each. that adds about another 1/16 or so to the thickness.
i'm using 1"x1" squares for the vehicles, and 1"x3/4" for infantry. on the infantry bases (in this case tonight, germans) i put 4 guys in a mix of poses and one of the prone LMG units.
i'm looking for suggestions on base sizes for infantry support units, like the mortars and MMGs. i tried a few 1/2"x1/2" squares, but they're barely bigger than the figure itself. 3/4"x3/4" inch looks pretty good, but i was also wondering how many figures you put on these units? just one, or a pair, or one and some other infantry figs, something else entirely? suggestions welcome.
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:56 pm
by David F
What rules are you playing? Any in particular? Also, do you have any perticular unit size that the support stand(s) will represent?....squad/section, platoon? If I were wanting them to be a squad, I would want them to be 3/4 sq. If I was wanting a platoon (I assume your Infantry are already deemed as such) I would make them the same 1 X 3/4.
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:44 pm
by CountRingworm
i'm currently using Blitzkrieg Commander- just got it this past weekend, so i haven't played it yet. i'm still new to the hobby
the stands in this game represent individual vehicles/squads when you play company/batallion level, and platoons when going divisional. i plan on playing as squads/individuals mostly.
i got to thinking too- i could do the platoon leaders as the same size base as the support weapons to make them stand out a bit more...