15mm WWII Manufacturers (Figures suitable for Flames of War).

Before starting on purchasing you Flame of War army there are three basic considerations, Cost, Quality and Consistency.  So here are some basic pieces of advice.  

1. Don't mix vehicles from different manufacturers (at least not in the same unit).  Despite claims that figures are produced to `15mm scale' this is a slight misnomer as 15mm varies between manufacturers from about 1/95th scale to around 1/108.  The result is that supposedly identical models can be quite different in scale if made by different companies.
2. Look for discounts (and watch out for sales - QRF have a sale every January with 15% off of everything - including postage).  Bulk packs or discounts often count for a lot.  A lot of on line retailers will usually undercut their shop equivalents but actually seeing the model in the flesh helps.
3. Do the website have pictures?   Pictures count for a lot.   If possible try and find pictures of unpainted or undercoated models rather than the finished article, as good modellers can do a lot with a competently applied coat of paint.
4. See them at a show and have a good look at the models.

Overall a single 1500 to 1750 point army will set you back around £150 - £250, and that price can easily vary by 25% if you buy wisely.

Battlefront.   Glossy production values have managed to get these models stocked by many shops.   However, they are often criticised for unusual proportions for their vehicles (their vehicles often look disproportionately tall), and you need to be selective about the infantry ranges, particularly some of the newer ones.     Battlefont Models are produced in Indonesia, with large parts being made of resin, and smaller parts of  white metal.   Packs are `box sets' (usually companies or similar), platoons for infantry, and single vehicles for many of the supports.   Support vehicles (soft Skins) are often produced in resin as solid blocks a cheap way of getting soft skins on the table at the cost of some quality.

Quick Reaction Force.   Certainly the largest range of vehicles and artillery on the market at the moment in the scale, with ranges covering most of the major protagonists in WW2, and even rumours of Belgians for the `Early War'.    Older models are going through a steady (and 90% complete) replacement programme at the moment.   QRF are, on average about 25% cheaper than their Battlefront equivalents but are only available directly, or via their Agents (listed on the website).    Vehicles are packed singly, and infantry in 8's.    Note the discounts for mulitple buys.  Also a growing range of decals and other accessories.   Nearly all QRF models are made of white metal.  Produced in the UK.

Peter Pig.   Huge range of infantry figures originally marketed at Martin's PBI rules but equally usable for FoW.  The vehicles are slightly more expensive than    Small range of vehicles which are designed with the wargamer in mind & are built to be robust for handling.  Peter Pig Models are made from white metal and are UK produced.  Probably the best range of WW2 cavalry available.   Produced in the UK.

Skytrex.    Very nice but expensive range of vehicles.  White metal, produced in the UK.   Huge packs of infantry - (50) make a precise battlefield organisation quite tricky to establish.     Vehicles sold as singles.

Old Glory.   These are essentially the same models as Skytrex but as produced in the USA.  Some of the sharp quality and definition has been lost in the process.  Again big packs of infantry.     Vehicles usually sold in 3's.

Essex Miniatures.   A small WW2 infantry range.  Also stock Skytrex vehicles.  Produced in the UK.