SCW: 15mm Figures for the Spanish Civil War
As I got into the Spanish Civil War I thought I'd write up my notes about the various ranges, mainly so I could remember what to buy if I ever reordered. I like 15 mm so this list started with Peter Pig Range 13: Spanish Civil War. I also made up a chart about what figures to use for which forces. As other manufacturers added ranges I added notes on them as well.
- Peter Pig Range 13: Spanish Civil War
- Peter Pig Range 6: Miscellaneous
- Peter Pig Range 8: WWII
- Peter Pig Range 16: WW1
- The Late Queen: Spanish Civil War Italians
- QRF: Spanish Civil War
I've a separate page on vehicles.
And check out Square Bashing: 15mm Artillery Model Availability on where to get some of the artillery models.
Peter Pig Range 13: Spanish Civil War
I like 15 mm and when I started collecting Spanish Civil War figures Peter Pig was the only choice. They are a good solid range but not quite as good as new ranges from Peter Pig, or indeed from The Late Queen. None-the-less a this range covers every thing you need to get started in the Spanish Civil War.
1. Nationalist Infantry Cap
Three poses: firing (x3), charging (x3), advancing (x2). All have fore-and-aft forage cap, rifle with fixed bayonet, thigh length tunic (Guerra), granadero trousers (or conceivably trousers and high boots).
Good general purpose figures that could be used for virtually anybody in the war on either side. I use them for Nationalist Legion (mixed with the Shirt Sleeve guys), Regular Infantry, Falangists (although the Shirt Sleeve guys are better as it shows their shirt colour) and Dismounted Cavalry
2. Nationalist Command cap
Three poses: Officer standing waving pistol (x3), Officer walking (x3), Standard Bearer advancing (x2). All have fore-and-aft forage cap, thigh length tunic (Guerra), granadero trousers + shoes (or conceivably trousers and high boots).
Good general purpose figures that could be used for virtually anybody in the war on either side.
3. Moroccan Infantry turban
Three poses: Shooting; advancing with Rifle at ready, charging with bayonet. All with a turban wrapped Fez/Tarbouch, jacket, trousers, puttees and shoes.
4. Carlists Beret
Three poses: advancing (x3), walking with arms presented (x3), walking with rifle under arm (x2). All have beret, rifle, two have fixed bayonets (pose 1 and 2), short jacket or shirt, trousers, short boots/shoes.
Suitable for Carlists, Navarrese brigades, Basques, International Brigades, or Militia.
5. Republican Infantry Helmet
Three poses: advancing (x3), standing on guard (x3), walking with arms presented (x2). All have Spanish Helmet, rifle with fixed bayonets, wait length tunic (guerra), trousers, short boots/shoes.
Republican or Nationalist regular infantry (particularly late war), or International Brigades.
6. Republican Command hat
Three poses: Officer advancing pistol at side (x3), Officer advancing pistol in front (x3), Standard Bearer advancing (x2).
Officer pistol at side: Peaked cap, thigh length tunic (Guerra), trousers, high boots.
Officer pistol in front: Peaked cap, short jacket, trousers, high boots.
Standard bearer: Spanish Helmet, thigh length tunic (Guerra), trousers, short boots/shoes.
Republican or Nationalist regular infantry (particularly late war), or International Brigades.
7. Militia Mono/hat
Three poses: advancing (x3), charging (x3), standing waving/clenched fist salute (x2).
Advancing: Floppy sun hat, mono, rifle with fixed bayonet.
Charging: Beret, mono, rifle (bayonet not fixed).
Standing: Fore-and-aft forage cap, mono, sub-machine gun.
The mono makes them pretty much Republican, and non-militarised at that, i.e. Militia. However, the guys with the forage cap could be Republican Asaltos as these also adopted the mono.
8. International Brigade Beret etc
Three poses: advancing helmet (x3), advancing beret (x3), advancing peaked cap (x2).
Helmet also has rifle with bayonet fixed, thigh length tunic, trousers, and short boots/shoes. I think the helmet is a Czech design. Suitable for Republicans.
Beret also has carbine (or short rifle) with no bayonet, short jacket or shirt, trousers, and short boots/shoes. Could also be Carlist, Navarrese or Basque.
Peaked cap has submachine gun, thigh length tunic, trousers, and short boots/shoes. Could also be Asaltos. Particularly suitable for an NCO figure.
9. LMG Troops republican
Four poses: Prone gunner (x2), prone loader (x2), walking gunner (x2), walking loader (x2).
Prone gunner: Beret, tunic, trousers, short boots/shoes.
Prone loader: Beret, tunic, trousers, short boots/shoes, rifle.
Walking gunner: Ski cap, leather vest, short jacket or shirt (under vest), trousers, short boots/shoes.
Walking loader: Beret, tunic, trousers, puttees, short boots/shoes, rifle with fixed bayonet.
Pretty much restricted to Republicans, as the Beret adorned Nationalists didn't use LMG.
10. Dead Figures
Three poses: face down with peaked cap, face down with Adrian helmet, face up.
11. Maxim HMG teams
Three poses: Gunner with ski cap (x3), loader with fore-and-aft forage cap (x3), helper with peaked cap (x2).
The Maxim gun marks these guys as Republicans, although the crew could be Nationalists.
The helper is rifle armed and could be added to other Republican stands, e.g. Militia, International Brigades or Asaltos.
12. Gun crew in French helmet
Three poses: pointing (x3), standing with hand up (x2), carrying shell (x3). All have Adrian helmet, tunic, trousers and knee high boots.
Like the Nationalist artillery pack, there are too many officers and not enough gunners. I'd mix in some figures from the other pack and the Beret guys to make Republican crews.
13. Generals on foot
Three poses: Officer pointing (x3), officer in fore-and-aft cap (x3), officer with stick (x2).
Officer pointing: Standing, peaked cap, thigh length tunic, trousers, short boots/shoes, and binoculars.
Officer in fore-and-aft-cap: Standing, granadero trousers, high boots.
Officer with stick: Standing, peaked cap, thigh length tunic, trousers, high boots.
Although called Generals, they are just officers and can do duty on either side. The Pointing guy is suitable as a Artillery Forward Observer.
14. French 75mm Gun
Well, it is a 75mm gun. The only possibly odd thing about it is that the gun is cast to the carriage so you can't change the angle of the barrel.
15. Nationalist LMGs
Four poses: Prone gunner (x2), prone loader (x2), marching gunner (x2), marching loader (x2). All have fore-and-aft forage cap, thigh length tunic (Guerra), granadero trousers (or conceivably trousers and high boots). Both loaders have rifles (bayonet not fixed). The light machine gun is probably the 7 mm Hotchkiss M25.
Good general purpose figures. I use them for Nationalist Legion, Regular Infantry, Falangists and Dismounted Cavalry, but also for Asaltos.
16. Nationalist Gun Crew
Three poses: Officer standing (x2), Officer walking (x3), gunner holding shell (x3).
Officer standing: waving with right hand, binoculars around neck and map case in hand. Fore-and-aft forage cap, thigh length tunic (Guerra), trousers and high boots.
Officer walking: Pistol in hand. Fore-and-aft forage cap, thigh length tunic (Guerra), trousers and high boots.
Gunner holding shell: Fore-and-aft forage cap, thigh length tunic (Guerra), granadero trousers + shoes.
Clearly the wrong mix of figures - should be more gunners and more types of gunners. The guy with the binoculars makes a good Artillery Forward Observer. The pack is good for both Republicans and Nationalists. If you're using it for Nationalists then I suggest you mix in some Riflemen or perhaps Italian artillery crew to get variety. The Republicans don't need this as you've got the guys in Adrian helmet for variety.
17. Nationalist HMGs
Three poses: Gunner (x3), loader (x3), helper (x2). All with fore-and-aft cap. Helper has a rifle. The heavy machine guns is probably the 7 mm Hotchkiss M14.
Useful for Nationalist HMG - no kidding - but I also used them for Asaltos HMG. The Helper is a little puzzling as to his function; I ended up mixing him with my artillery crews.
18. Cavalry in cap
Two poses of men: carrying Carbine (x2), with Sword raised (x2). Both in side cap, tunic, trousers, long boots.
There are also two poses of horse, although a particular pack will only have one or other: standing/walking horses (x4), or galloping horses (x4). The two types of horse would not mix well in the same unit.
These chaps could be used for both Nationalist and Republicans. The swordsmen are a bit silly as Spanish Civil War cavalry operated as mounted infantry, i.e. they fought on foot. That means I'd recommend you just order the guys with the Carbine - Peter Pig will do special orders.
19. Cavalry in Helmet
20. Cavalry command in cap
Three poses of men: Officer (x1), Bugler (x1), Standard Bearer (x2). All in side cap, tunic, trousers, long boots.
There are also two poses of horse, although a particular pack will only have one or other: standing/walking horses (x4), or galloping horses (x4). The two types of horse would not mix well in the same unit. Note, the galloping horse is different to that of pack 18, but would mix okay.
These chaps could be used for both Nationalist and Republicans. The Standard bearer would make a passable Lancer if you're interested in the Riff War of the 1920s.
21. Civil Guard
Three poses: Pointing (x3), running (x2), submachine gun (x3). All have tri-corn, tunic, trousers, shoes. The first two have rifles (bayonet not fixed). The third is wielding a Bergman MP-18 type SMG - wooden stock, side mag & perforated barrel sleeve.
(Don't forget that Civil Guard also wore the fore-and-aft cap so any such figures could be used to mix in with the tricorn guys, although I chose not to do that myself as the tricorn is cool.)
22. Female miliciana
Three poses: At ready (x3), walking (x3), advancing (x2). All with fore-and-aft cap, mono, shoes. All have rifles, but the latter two poses have fixed bayonets.
23. Grenade troops
Three poses: Peaked cap (x3), ski cap (x3), fore-and-aft cap (x2).
Peaked cap: is preparing a grenade and has a rifle on his back. Typical Republican, including Assaltos.
Ski cap: Throwing a grenade/bomb; no other weapon. Typical Republican.
Fore-and-aft-cap: Throwing a grenade and has a rifle on his back. Granadero trousers, puttees and shoes. Could be either side.
24. Moroccan command
Three poses: Officer advancing (x3), officer pointing (x3), standard bearer (x2).
Officer advancing: Advancing pistol in hand. Tarbouch, tunic, trousers, and high boots.
Officer pointing: Pointing with pistol in other hand. Tarbouch, tunic, baggy trousers, high boots.
Standard bearer: Almost, but not quite walking. Turban, tunic, baggy trousers, puttees, shoes.
25. T26 tank (£3. 50)
26. CV33 tank
27. Moroccan HMGs
Old Style (the figures I used)
Three poses: Gunner (x3), loader (x3), helper (x2). All with turbans.
New Style
Three poses: Gunner (x3), loader (x3), helper (x2). All with fez but no turban.
28. Beret Command
Three poses: Officer with pistol (x3), officer hand on hip (x3), standard bearer (x2). All with Berets.
Officer with pistol: Pointing with left hand, pistol in right. Short tunic or shirt, high boots.
Officer with hand on hip: Point with right hand, other hand on hip. Tunic, shoes.
Standard bearer: Waving men forward. Tunic, high boots.
Could be Carlists, Navarrese, Basques, International Brigades or Militia.
29. Beret Gun crew
Three poses: Officer pointing with left hand and binoculars in right (x3), gunner with shell (x3), gunner kneeling. All with Berets.
Could be Carlists, Navarrese, Basques or International Brigades. The officer would be ideal as a forward observer.
30. Mounted officers
31. Assault Guards
Three poses: Standing firing (x3), kneeling firing (x3), standing loading (x2). All guys have peaked caps. The first guy has a tunic and trousers, but the others seem to be wearing monos.
Use for any Republicans, particularly Asaltos, but including International Brigades or Militia.
If you want to do a head swap - PP do packs of heads - then give these guys an Isabelino cap and you've got Falangists dressed suitably informally and with their blue shirt showing.
32. LMGs Beret
Four poses: Prone gunner (x2), prone loader (x2), marching gunner (x2), marching loader (x2). All have berets, thigh length tunic (Guerra), trousers. Both loaders have rifles (bayonet not fixed) and short boots/shoes. The gunners have high boots.
Pretty much restricted to Republicans, as the Beret adorned Nationalists didn't use LMG.
33. Infantry in French Adrian helmet
Three poses: Firing (x3), walking (x3), advancing (x2). All have French Adrian helmet and rifles (bayonet not fixed). Walking guy has puttees the others have trousers.
Use for Republican, early International Brigades in particular.
34. Spanish Foreign Legion in shirt sleeve order
Three poses: firing (x3), at ready (x3), walking with arms presented (x2). All have fore-and-aft forage cap, rifle (bayonet not fixed), shirt with rolled up sleeves and no tunic, granadero trousers + shoes (or conceivably trousers and high boots).
Summer campaign equipment for the Legion, but could really be used for either side. Useful for Falagists to show their distinctive shirt colours.
Peter Pig Range 6: Miscellaneous
These packs of separate head can be used for Spanish Civil War, assuming you want the bother of swapping heads of other figures.
23. Head with Adrian Helmet
38. Head with Isabelino
50. Head with Pasamonte
Peter Pig Range 8: WWII
35. Ger 37mm A/T Gun
Use for Nationalist ATG. You'll need to buy the crew figures separately.
361. Russian 37mm AT gun
Use for Republican ATG. You'll need to buy the crew figures separately.
French Resistance
Five poses: kneeling (x3), hat running (x2), beret running (x1), girl hand up (x1), girl hand down (x1). Runners have rifles, girls have submachine guns, and the kneeling guy has a pistol and a bag over his shoulder!
Militia. I used the runners and girls in my militia units, and the kneeling guys mixed into my Dinamenteros units along with Grenade throwers. I also got extra specialist packs with just the Runners for my militia units, as these figures were the most useful.
Peter Pig Range 16: WW1
The few packs of WW1 I've purchased from Peter Pig are very good. Better sculpting and more dynamic than the older Spanish Civil War range.
1. British Rifles firing
Four poses: rifle kneeling firing (x3), rifle standing firing (x2), rifle reloadiing (x2), and officer firing pistol (x1).
All riflemen have peaked cap, tunic, breeches, puttees, rifle with bayonet, and pack. All are suitable for general troops of either side although you might want to do a head swap for any of Isabelino, Adrian Helmet, or Pasamonte (see Peter Pig Range 6: Miscellaneous).
Officer differs by having a revolver which he is firing, boots not puttees, a swagger stick, and no pack. This guy fits right into the Spanish Civil War.
16. British Rifles running
Four poses: three variations on rifleman running (x3, x2, x2) and one officer running.
All riflemen have peaked cap, tunic, breeches, puttees, rifle with bayonet, and pack. All are suitable for general troops of either side although you might want to do a head swap for any of Isabelino, Adrian Helment, or Pasamonte.
Officer differs by having a revolver in his hand, boots not puttees, and no pack. This guy fits right into the Spanish Civil War.
The Late Queen: Spanish Civil War Italians
The Late Queen are a recent new comer to the list of 15mm figure manufacturers. They specialise in Spanish Civil War (SCW) and essentially want to supplement the existing SCW range from Peter Pig. The first release includes five packs of early war Italian Cuerpo de Tropas Voluntarias (CTV). The proprietor - Peter Frost - kindly sent me samples for review and I must say they are a delight. The large bulk of the figures wear the early Italian uniform of jacket, trousers, puttees, and Adrian helmet. This makes them useful for 1936-37 Italians, but also for Republicans of any period of the war. (Note: The range isn't appropriate for late war Italians because in 1937 the CTV began to adopt the uniform of the regular Italian army - use WW2 Italians for 1937-39.) In style, build and height the figures are consistent with the SCW range from Peter Pig. This is a relief for me given I have already have the full range from Mr Oink. If anything The Late Queen are slightly more slender and slightly taller; this will appeal to some gamers as it gives the figures more realistic proportions. The sculpting is detailed and looks a dream to paint. But for me the winning factor are the poses ... most figures in each pack have a unique pose. Usually manufacturers offer only 1-3 poses per pack of eight figures, but with the Late Queen you get up to eight distinct poses. If quantity wasn't enough, you also get quality. The poses themselves are both realistic and generally dynamic, with the riflemen, for example, looking like they are advancing under fire.
All in all an excellent addition to the market and I would recommend the Late Queen to any SCW fans. Apparently Carlists are next figures in the range. I'm looking forward to seeing armed priests!
The range so far comprises:
CTV001 CTV command (8 figs, 8 poses)
Six poses look like standard riflemen, with rifle, puttees, and Adrian helmet. Two of these figures form a "wavering" vignette; one guy is lying done cowering and the other is standing over him encouraging him to go forward. Other figures are kneeling and pointing, standing and pointing, running and shouting, and standing and shouting.
The other two poses are officers with cap and boots rather than Adrian helmet, puttees and shoes. One is running and drawing his pistol. The other is standing, with a cane, and staring into the distance.
CTV002 CTV infantry (8 figs, 8 poses)
All figures are advancing and have rifle, puttees, and Adrian helmet. Some are cautiously walking with others in a crouching run.
CTV003 CTV light machine guns (8 figs, 6 poses)
All figures are advancing. Three have an LMG and three have rifles. If you look really closely, which I didn't until Peter from the Late Queen pointed it out, you'll notice that the LMG lack magazines making them hard to identify as Italian. Peter also pointed out that the riflemen in this pack are intended as ammo carriers but in fact carry no ammo - a point I am not precious about. The thing that I noticed was that although the advancing figures are good there are no shooting/loading figure.
CTV004 CTV medium machine guns (6 figs, 6 poses)
This pack contains two machine gun teams of three figures. The first team is firing with gunner, loader and guy with rifle looking on - all sitting. The other team is unusual in wargaming as it is advancing with a dismantled gun. One figure has the machine gun, another has the tripod and the third, a rifleman, appears to be carrying ammo.
CTV005 CTV light mortars (8 figs, 4 poses)
The last pack has two light mortar teams. The two gunners and one of the loaders are lying down. The second loader is sitting.
Regulares with Fez using Egyptian figures
Some Moroccans in Spanish employ just wore a Fez without a Turban. For these guys you could use Egyptians from the Sudan campaign (1882 - 1898). For example:
Peter Pig Range 22 "Patrols in the Sudan"
72. Egyptian Infantry advancing (light Kit)
73. Egyptian Infantry Firing
74. Egyptian Infantry Receiving a charge.
75. Egyptian command advancing (2 Officer poses plus bugler)
76. Egyptian command standing (Officer, drummer , standard bearer poses)
Essex
Miniatures: 15mm Colonial
OC31 Early Egyptian Infantrymen
OC32 Early Egyptian Command pack, 2 Officers, 2 Std. Bearers, 2 Buglers
OC34 Late Egyptian Infantrymen
OC35 Late Egyptian Command pack: 2 Officers, 2 Std. Bearers, 2 pipers
Old Glory 15s:
Colonial Wars: Sudan Range (available from Battle Honours in UK)
SUD04 Egyptian & Sudanese Command
SUD08 Egyptian Infantry
And Tin Soldier have some Askari's in Italian Service which should fit the bill as well. I haven't seen these.
Tin Soldier UK: 15mm Italian Colonial Range (1890-1900)
IC12 Askari Command Officers (3), Bugler (3)
IC13 Askari, advancing, fez, fixed bayonet
IC14 Askari, fez, standing, firing
IC15 Askari, fez, loading/ at the ready
IC16 Askari, advancing, turbanned fez, fixed bayonet
IC17 Askari, turbanned fez, standing, firing
IC18 Askari, turbanned fez, loading/ at the ready
IC19 Askari artillery crew (6)
QRF: Spanish Civil War
You can also get some figures from QRF. The QRF range somehow look out of proportion to me with, for example, small heads and big hats. They are also considerably bigger than both Peter Pig and The Late Queen so won't mix well except to be BIG chaps amongst smaller compatriots. I purchased a few packs to have a look, but quickly relegated them to use as my Crossfire Hidden Movement Markers (Ghosts).