In brief
See how a Battle Honours 3D 54mm WW2 figure compares with Thomas Gunn, Britains, First Legion and War Park, with clear guidance on 54mm and 1:30 scale compatibility.
If you already collect Thomas Gunn, Britains, First Legion or War Park, you can add Battle Honours 3D figures without making your collection look disjointed. These photographs from customer Gary Hodges place our 54mm British infantryman directly beside figures from all four manufacturers.
From left to right, the line-up contains:
- Battle Honours 3D
- Thomas Gunn
- Britains
- First Legion
- War Park
Gary photographed the figures from the front, rear and side, giving you a proper view of their height, proportions, equipment and overall presence.
Front view. From left: Battle Honours 3D, Thomas Gunn, Britains, First Legion and War Park.
Our 54mm figure in the line-up
The Battle Honours 3D figure is the British infantryman on the far left. Although the pose has bent knees and a forward lean, its eye level and shoulder height sit comfortably within the group.
More importantly, the figure has the visual presence needed for a 54mm or 1:30 collection without relying on an oversized head, thick hands or exaggerated equipment. The rifle, webbing and uniform retain natural proportions, while the facial detail and clothing folds remain clear at display distance.
That is what we mean by True Scale: recognisable detail and character built around believable human proportions.
A closer view of our British infantryman beside four established 1:30 ranges.
Made to join an existing collection
Many collectors have spent years building WW2 displays from several manufacturers. Buying from Battle Honours 3D should not mean replacing the figures you already own.
Gary’s photographs show that our 54mm figures can be placed alongside established 1:30 ranges and still look part of the same scene. There are differences in pose, body build and basing between the five manufacturers, but the Battle Honours 3D figure does not look undersized or out of place.
Our figure also brings a slightly more natural build to the group. The equipment follows the body rather than dominating it, and the sculpt has enough definition to reward detailed painting without becoming heavy or cartoon-like.
This makes our 54mm WW2 range a strong choice for:
- Expanding an existing 1:30 collection
- Adding new poses and units to a display
- Building mixed-manufacturer dioramas
- Collecting figures for painting and cabinet display
- Creating larger skirmish scenes with realistic proportions
The straight-on view shows the eye and shoulder heights across all five figures.
How 54mm relates to 1:30 scale
The terms “54mm” and “1:30” are often used together, but they describe scale in different ways.
A ratio such as 1:30 is a direct reduction. One millimetre on the model represents 30 millimetres on the real subject. A rifle measuring 1,200 mm in real life would therefore measure 40 mm at 1:30 scale.
The term “54mm” refers to the height of the miniature figure. On its own, however, it does not tell you where that measurement ends. It might mean 54 mm to the eyes, the top of the head or the highest point of the headgear.
Battle Honours 3D measures a standing figure from the bottom of the foot to the bridge of the nose. Helmets, forage caps, bearskins and plumes do not change the stated size of the figure.
Using a reference eye height of 1,610 mm:
1,610 ÷ 30 = 53.7 mm
Rounded to the nearest millimetre, that gives a 54 mm figure at 1:30 scale.
The same reference figure would be approximately 58 mm to the top of the head. This explains why a true 1:30 figure described as 54mm can measure closer to 58 mm overall. It has not necessarily been produced too large; the advertised measurement may finish at eye level rather than the crown of the head.
Why some 54mm figures are called 1:32
Traditional toy soldiers are also frequently described as 1:32 scale.
Using the same 1,610 mm eye-height reference:
1,610 ÷ 32 = 50.3 mm
A strict 1:32 figure would therefore measure about 50 mm to the eyes. Its total height to the top of the head would be around 54–55 mm.
This is the source of much of the confusion. One manufacturer may use “54mm” to mean 54 mm to the eyes, placing the figure close to 1:30. Another may use “54mm” for the figure’s total height, placing it closer to 1:32.
The same 54mm label can therefore describe two noticeably different figures.
Why figures with the same label still vary
Real soldiers were not all the same height, and miniature poses add another layer of variation. A figure leaning forwards, walking, crouching or standing with its legs apart will measure differently from an upright figure.
Other differences come from:
- The point used by the manufacturer when measuring
- The thickness of the supplied base
- Helmets, caps and other headgear
- Deliberately enlarged heads or hands
- Thicker weapons added for strength
- Changes in sculpting style between older and newer releases
A difference of two or three millimetres does not automatically mean that two ranges are incompatible. Body proportions and equipment thickness often affect the appearance of a mixed group more than total height.
The rear view allows the uniforms, webbing, equipment and body proportions to be compared.
How to compare your figures accurately
Choose an upright figure and measure from the bottom of the foot to the bridge of the nose. Do not include the base or helmet.
Then compare:
- Eye and shoulder height
- Head size
- Hand size
- Weapon thickness
- Body build
- Base height
If two figures have similar eye and shoulder heights, they will often work together even when their poses and overall measurements differ.
Gary’s photographs provide the most useful final check. Rather than relying on labels alone, you can see a Battle Honours 3D figure standing directly beside four established 1:30 ranges.
The angled view shows how the five figures work together as a mixed display.
Painted by Gary Hodges
Gary’s paintwork brings out the detail in each figure. His Battle Honours 3D British infantryman uses restrained khaki and green shades, with the webbing, rifle and uniform folds remaining easy to read.
The photographs also show how naturally the figure works beside several different German camouflage patterns and painting styles. It can join an existing display without needing every figure to come from the same range.
Thank you to Gary for painting our figure, arranging the comparison and allowing us to share his photographs.
If you collect 54mm or 1:30 WW2 figures, browse the Battle Honours 3D range and see which units could join your collection next.