Citadel Miniatures Limited is a company which produces metal, resin and plasticminiature figures for tabletop wargames such as Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000. In the past Citadel Miniatures was a separate company but it has become a brand for Games Workshop miniatures. Although its models are used for the wargaming hobby, the painting of its miniatures is a hobby in itself.
Early history
Citadel Miniatures was formed as part of the British game company Games Workshop in early 1979, as announced in White Dwarf issue #11:
"Games Workshop and Bryan Ansellhave got together to keep-alive Citadel Miniatures, a new miniatures company that will be manufacturing several ranges of figures. Ral Partha are already in production, but Citadel will also be producing own ranges, including the Fiend Factory figures, Fantasy Adventurers and Fantasy Specials. Citadel will not be limiting production to SF/F figures, but also new ranges of historical wargaming figures".
The following issue of White Dwarf contained the first advertisement for Citadel's forthcoming figures.
Materials and Construction
Originally miniatures were produced using a white metalalloy including lead, although in 1987 Citadel began to produce plastic miniatures as well under the name "Psychostyrene" and "Drastik Plastik". Citadel has continued to produce white metal miniatures as the economics of plastic make it only suitable for large runs. Some models are a combination of both materials, with the arm-less bodies and heads metal and the arms, weapons and other accessories plastic. In 1997 Citadel switched to a lead-free white metal because of concerns about lead poisoning, particularly in children. Most of the models created by Citadel require some form of construction after purchase. With smaller models this usually involves attaching arms, weapons and the base. Larger models come in many pieces and require more construction. On 16 May 2011, Games Workshop announced a new range of Citadel models known as Citadel Finecast. Finecast has had mixed reviews by modellers. For example, Wayland Games, a retailer in UK, includes the following note on Finecast on their website: "Note: If you wish to purchase any Finecast products please accept that this is a product for experienced modellers only and that some remedial effort is required due to the nature of the material and manufacturing techniques. If in doubt please do not purchase."
Model ranges
From 1979 to 1984 Citadel had a reciprocal distribution and manufacturing deal with Ral Partha to bring each other's products to Britain and North America respectively. Citadel has also produced and distributed miniatures under other names:
Chronicle Miniatures was a competitor run by Nick Lund and bought out by Citadel and they continued to operate under that name for a time.
Iron Claw Miniatures were a range of miniatures designed, manufactured and distributed by Citadel in 1987 and 1988 and sculpted by Bob Olley. Many of the designs were later incorporated into the main Citadel range.
Marauder Miniatures was a separate company set up by two former Games Workshop/Citadel sculptors in 1988 and promoted alongside Citadel Miniatures in White Dwarf. The miniatures were cast and distributed by Citadel, and the company was absorbed into Citadel in 1993.
Edwin J. Rotondaro reviewed Citadel Miniatures 25mm miniature figures released in 1984 and 1985 in The Space Gamer No. 76. Rotondaro commented that "Overall, I highly recommend Citadel miniatures to gamers who use any FRPG system, and especially if they use the Warhammer rules."
