Citadel Miniatures

Citadel Miniatures is a British brand associated with Games Workshop that produces miniature figures, vehicles, scenery and modeling supplies for tabletop games and miniature painting. Its products are most closely identified with Games Workshop's Warhammer settings, especially Warhammer 40,000 and the former Warhammer Fantasy Battle range, although Citadel has also produced or distributed figures connected with licensed games, films, television properties, role-playing games and fantasy literature. The brand emerged from Nottingham's growing miniature-gaming industry in the late 1970s. Bryan Ansell, an experienced sculptor who had previously worked at Conquest Miniatures, had co-founded Asgard Miniatures in 1976. He left Asgard in early 1978 and, with financial backing from Games Workshop, established Citadel Miniatures. Games Workshop and Ansell announced the new venture in White Dwarf issue 11 in December 1978. The first planned ranges included Fiend Factory figures, Fantasy Adventurers and Fantasy Specials, alongside historical and science-fiction offerings. Citadel's early development helped establish Nottingham as a major center for fantasy miniature production and gave Games Workshop a dedicated manufacturing and design operation. Citadel originally concentrated on cast white-metal figures, often using a lead-containing alloy. Its catalog expanded from individual fantasy and science-fiction characters to complete armies, monsters, artillery, chariots, vehicles and other gaming accessories. The release of Warhammer 40,000 broadened the brand's scope into science-fiction armies and armored vehicles, including prominent Space Marine vehicles such as the Rhino and Land Raider. Citadel miniatures were generally sold as kits or multipart figures requiring assembly, conversion and painting, making the brand relevant both to wargamers and to hobbyists who treat miniature construction and painting as independent creative activities. The company began producing plastic miniatures in 1987 under the names Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik. Plastic manufacturing made larger production runs more economical and eventually became central to Games Workshop's mass-market miniature strategy, while metal continued to be used for some smaller-run or specialist products. In 1997, Citadel moved to lead-free white metal amid concerns about lead exposure, particularly among children. The brand later introduced Citadel Finecast, a resin-based range announced in 2011. Finecast was intended to replace or supplement many metal miniatures, but the material and manufacturing process received mixed reactions from modelers and retailers, especially because some products could require substantial cleanup and remedial work. Citadel's historical portfolio also included ranges and arrangements involving other miniature companies. It distributed Ral Partha products in Britain while Ral Partha distributed Citadel products in North America under a reciprocal agreement running from 1979 to 1984. Citadel acquired or absorbed other operations and ranges, including Chronicle Miniatures and Iron Claw Miniatures, while Marauder Miniatures was created by former Games Workshop-Citadel sculptors and was later absorbed into Citadel. The company also produced licensed ranges based on properties such as RuneQuest, Fighting Fantasy, Judge Dredd, Doctor Who, Paranoia, Dungeons & Dragons, Traveller, Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Citadel is no longer generally presented as a separate operating company in the way it was during its early history. It functions primarily as Games Workshop's house brand for miniatures and related hobby products. Its current identity is tied to the Warhammer ecosystem and to Citadel Colour paints, tools and accessories sold through Games Workshop's retail, online and trade channels. The brand's importance extends beyond the physical figures: Citadel's sculpting, kit design, painting guides and color systems have helped sha…

Citadel Miniatures developed out of the British miniature-manufacturing scene that grew around Nottingham during the 1970s. Bryan Ansell, who had prior experience as a miniature sculptor at Conquest Miniatures, co-founded Asgard Miniatures with Steven Fitzwater and Paul Sulley in 1976. Ansell served as Asgard's lead sculptor but left in February 1978. With financial support from Games Workshop, he established a competing venture that became Citadel Miniatures. Games Workshop and Ansell publicly announced the new company in White Dwarf issue 11 in December 1978. The announcement described planned lines including Fiend Factory, Fantasy Adventurers and Fantasy Specials, while also indicating that Citadel would not be restricted to science-fiction and fantasy. Its first period of growth coincided with increasing demand for figures used in role-playing games and miniature wargames. Citadel's products became especially visible through Games Workshop's publications, retail network and the expanding Warhammer family of games. Early Citadel figures were predominantly cast in a white-metal alloy that included lead. The brand built a broad catalog of fantasy warriors, monsters, adventurers, historical figures and science-fiction subjects. It also produced larger gaming pieces, including artillery, chariots and vehicles. When Warhammer 40,000 was launched, Citadel expanded into armored science-fiction vehicles and army-specific miniatures, helping connect Games Workshop's rules, fictional universes and physical products into a single commercial system. Citadel maintained a reciprocal production and distribution arrangement with Ral Partha from April 1979 through December 1984. Under that arrangement, each company helped make the other's products available in its main overseas market. Citadel also acquired or operated additional ranges. Chronicle Miniatures, a competitor associated with Nick Lund, was bought by Citadel and continued for a period under its own name. Iron Claw Miniatures was designed, manufactured and distributed by Citadel from 1987 to 1988, with some designs later incorporated into the main Citadel range. Marauder Miniatures was founded in 1988 by former Games Workshop-Citadel sculptors Aly Morrison and Trish Morrison; Citadel cast and distributed its figures before the operation was absorbed in 1993. Manufacturing technology changed significantly during the late 1980s and afterward. In 1987, Citadel started producing plastic figures under the Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik labels. Plastic was particularly suitable for high-volume products, while metal remained useful for smaller runs and certain specialist models. Many Citadel products were deliberately multipart kits, requiring hobbyists to attach bodies, heads, arms, weapons and bases. Larger kits demanded more extensive construction, encouraging conversion work and individualized painting. In February 1997, Citadel moved to lead-free white metal. This change addressed health concerns associated with lead in products that could be handled by children and hobbyists. In May 2011, Games Workshop announced Citadel Finecast, a resin range intended to provide an alternative to many metal miniatures. Finecast attracted mixed assessments: resin offered potential advantages in weight and production, but users and retailers noted that some models required considerable preparation and correction before assembly. Over its history, Citadel produced original ranges as well as licensed miniatures. Licensed subjects included properties connected with RuneQuest, Fighting Fantasy, Judge Dredd, Doctor Who, Paranoia, the Eternal Champion, Dungeons & Dragons, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Traveller, Star Trek, Lone Wolf, and Tolkien-related works. Games Workshop later obtained or regained rights that supported The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game and related miniatures. Citadel also issued limited-edition figures, including unusual characters, commemorative subjects and models associated with White Dwarf's Grombrindal mascot. The former standalone company has become primarily a Games Workshop brand. Today, Citadel identifies Games Workshop's miniatures and a related range of paints, brushes, tools and basing products. Its figures are used for Warhammer gaming, collecting, display, conversion and miniature painting. The brand's continuing significance comes from the combination of proprietary fictional settings, detailed multipart kits, a global retail and trade network, and an integrated painting system that supports both newcomers and experienced modelers.

• 2011

  Citadel Finecast announced

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Games Workshop announced a resin-based Citadel Finecast range as an alternative to many metal miniatures.

• 1997

  Lead-free white metal introduced

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Citadel changed its white-metal formulation to remove lead from the alloy.

• 1993

  Marauder Miniatures is absorbed

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Marauder Miniatures, whose figures had been cast and distributed by Citadel, was absorbed into Citadel.

• 1987

  Plastic production expands

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Citadel began producing plastic miniatures under the Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik names.

• 1979

  Ral Partha distribution arrangement begins

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Citadel and Ral Partha entered a reciprocal manufacturing and distribution arrangement serving Britain and North America.

• 1978

  Citadel Miniatures is established

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  After leaving Asgard, Bryan Ansell formed Citadel with Games Workshop backing. The venture was announced in White Dwarf in December.

• 1976

  Bryan Ansell co-founds Asgard Miniatures

  [1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Ansell co-founded Asgard Miniatures in Nottingham and became its lead sculptor before later leaving to establish Citadel.

A premium hobby brand combining collectible tabletop miniatures with assembly, conversion, painting and wargaming. The brand is positioned around Games Workshop's proprietary Warhammer settings, detailed sculpting, multipart kits and an integrated ecosystem of paints and modeling supplies.

• Science-fiction tabletop miniatures

  Warhammer 40,000 miniatures

  Citadel's science-fiction range includes infantry, characters, monsters, armored vehicles and other forces designed for Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 setting. The range helped establish Citadel as a major producer of large-scale tabletop armies and includes iconic Space Marine vehicles such as the Rhino and Land Raider. Products are commonly sold as multipart kits intended for assembly, customization and painting.

• Fantasy tabletop miniatures

  Warhammer fantasy miniatures

  Citadel's fantasy output includes warriors, adventurers, Orcs, Dwarfs, Chaos figures, monsters, artillery and other subjects associated with Games Workshop's fantasy gaming worlds. Historically, fantasy figures formed one of the brand's strongest areas and were also used by role-playing gamers outside Games Workshop's own rules systems.

• Model paints and hobby supplies

  Citadel Colour

  Citadel Colour is Games Workshop's painting ecosystem for miniature hobbyists. It includes model paints and is associated with brushes, tools, basing materials and instructional painting practices. The range complements Citadel figures by providing a coordinated system for assembling, preparing, painting and finishing tabletop models.

• Resin miniature range · 2011

  Citadel Finecast

  Citadel Finecast was a resin-based range announced in 2011 as an alternative to many metal miniatures. Resin reduced weight and supported specialist production, but the range received mixed feedback because some models could require significant cleaning, correction and preparation before assembly.

• Plastic tabletop miniature kits · 1987

  Citadel plastic miniature kits

  Citadel began producing plastic figures in 1987 under the Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik labels. Plastic became especially important for larger production runs and multipart army kits, allowing hobbyists to combine components and create customized gaming forces.

• 2011

  Launch of Citadel FinecastProduct launch

  Background

  Games Workshop sought an alternative to traditional metal miniatures for parts of the Citadel range.

  Action taken

  Games Workshop announced Citadel Finecast, a resin-based miniature line.

  Aftermath

  The range generated mixed reactions from modelers and retailers, with some users reporting that products required substantial remedial preparation.

  Source

• 1997

  Adoption of lead-free white metalStrategy

  Background

  Concerns about lead exposure affected the handling and sale of metal miniatures, particularly products accessible to children.

  Action taken

  Citadel changed its white-metal formulation to a lead-free alloy.

  Aftermath

  The change continued Citadel's metal-miniature production while addressing a material-safety concern.

  Source

• 1987

  Move into plastic miniature productionGeneration change

  Background

  Citadel had historically relied heavily on cast metal figures, but plastic was more economically suitable for high-volume production.

  Action taken

  The brand introduced plastic miniatures under the Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik names while continuing to use metal for selected products.

  Aftermath

  Plastic became an increasingly important format for multipart army kits and larger production runs.

  Source

• 2011

  Games Workshop announces Citadel Finecast[1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  Games Workshop introduced Citadel Finecast, a resin miniature range intended to replace or supplement many metal products. Reviews from modelers were mixed, with reported concerns about preparation and quality consistency.

• 1997

  Citadel switches to lead-free white metal[1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  Citadel changed its white-metal formulation to a lead-free alloy in response to concerns about lead exposure.

• 1987

  Citadel begins plastic miniature production[1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  The brand expanded beyond traditional metal casting and began producing plastic miniatures under the Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik names.

• 1978

  Citadel Miniatures established with Games Workshop backing[1]Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Bryan Ansell and Games Workshop announced a new miniature company intended to produce fantasy, science-fiction and historical figure ranges.

1. 1Citadel Miniaturesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Games Workshop official websitegames-workshop.com