Reddit reviews Lindberg 1:35 Scale German Armored Car SD.KFZ 222

Warlord Games are actually run by a bunch of ex-GWs (including the much beloved Paul Sawyer); their models are much closer to true 28mm than GW, and thus while they are only a bit shorter they are much scrawnier (or 'realistically proportioned,' depending on who you ask). I've had my eye on the Brit Commandos set to combine with some FW lasguns into veterans or stormtroopers, and actually just ordered a pretty solid force to see what I can come up with.

If you're looking for some cheaper alternatives, I can recommend a couple. There's the Wargames Factory Stormtroopers, which are of a bit of a lesser quality than GW. They're fairly cheap and cheerful and with a bit of kitbashing, you can make a pretty neat, unique Krieger-style / Steel Legion army. Next up are the old Warzone: Mutant Chronicle plastics, which are super, super cheap (about 80 figs for 35ish dollars) and fit really well in 40k. On the other hand, the plastic doesn't convert too well. Both of these are dead on 40k scale, too, by the way. There's also Mantic's new Corporation, which aren't quite as cheap as the former options, but are probably the best sculpts and make a great Drop Trooper regiment. They also don't take to converting quite as well, but have what amounts to a complete army from the get-go. They're about the same height as Cadians but are a bit scrawnier, especially the arms. Oh! And the old Void plastics, which are out of print (though they can be picked up on Ebay pretty regularly for cheaper than Cadians), but were pretty good kit-bashing models, especially the Junkers (who are sort of space-Romans, I guess). They were also a bit shorter than GW guard. There's also the old AT-43 models, but unfortunately I don't think they're much cheaper anymore, since they already went through a fire-sale when the line was discontinued and now are 'rare'. Um, there's Defiance Games' USMC which was supposed to be out... like, 3 months ago. Or something. I asked for a refund because I was afraid they weren't ever going to come out. But when they do, I suppose they'd be pretty acceptable cheapish substitutes. And I think that's it (at least, for dedicated plastic sci-fi/modernish figs. Historical (like Napoleonic) kit-bashing is a whole new can of wyrms, and probably not much cheaper than going the official route in the end).

Edit: OH! And don't forget about using cheap 1/48 or 1/35 military tanks, which can be found for REALLY cheap (just a few examples), and can be kitbashed into amazing Guard tanks with a vehicle upgrade sprue and some heavy weapons for cheaper than a Leman Russ.

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Models-Stuart-Light-Tank/dp/B00VTE0VJQ/ref=pd_sim_21_10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R7YZQXZCNXYJGFQWPKEQ

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Howitzer-Motor-Carriage-Figures/dp/B004C441B4/ref=pd_sim_21_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R7YZQXZCNXYJGFQWPKEQ

https://www.amazon.com/Lindberg-scale-German-Armored-SD-KFZ/dp/B000XQ2K3G/ref=pd_sim_21_51?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R7YZQXZCNXYJGFQWPKEQ

https://www.amazon.com/35-US-M41-Walker-Bulldog/dp/B00061HJ7U/ref=pd_sim_21_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G5SYE2FY4CJHVJRY89VN