Victoria Miniatures

[The Pounder]

Hey guys, I’ve just seen the new Grimdark Empire range.

 

Have to admit, I’m in love with the Victorians (counts as Praetorian Guard) 

 

I live in the Kingdom and they are based in Australia I believe.

 

The questions I’d like answered is how long would an order take to arrive?
 

Also has anyone had experience with them? Is the quality as good as it looks in the pictures?
 

If anyone in the know could help I’d be grateful.

[W.A.Rorie]

Victoria is in Australia. Lovely models. I have never ordered from them but I know friends have (in the US). Pretty good quality. 

 

On their Shipping page:

 

Shipping FAQ (updated May 29th 2025).

What does shipping cost?

USA: Shipping $10. Orders $100 or more ship free.

Australia. Shipping $20. Orders $200+ ship free.

Rest of the World: Shipping $20. Orders $200 or more ship free.

Can I track my package?
Yes, when your order ships, you will receive an automated email or text message with your tracking information.

Will I be charged taxes?
We do not charge tax on orders. But your local government might charge VAT or customs tax. Please make sure you are aware of the tax policy in your country for imported packages.

UK Customers and taxes.
Unfortunately our UK customers are subject to UK customs duties. Please make sure you are aware of the UK policy if you are ordering from there.
You can visit the relevant Gov.UK webpage HERE.
The most relevant bits for you are sections 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 & 3.5.

Will I get charged EU and UK Import Duty?
Victoria Miniatures is not responsible for any charges you may have to pay in taxes or customs duty. Please contact your local customs office to establish what charges you may incur from ordering from the United Kingdom or the EU.

 

What happens when I place my order?
Once your order is placed you will receive an email or text message from Victoria Miniatures acknowledging your purchase. When your package ships you will receive tracking information email from USPS, and the status of your order will change to ‘shipped’ in your Victoria Miniatures account.
If you don’t see any emails, check your spam folder.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?
All orders are shipped as soon as possible once your payment has cleared.
All packages withing the US usually arrive within a few days. Orders outside the US can encounter long delays due to covid. 2-3 weeks shipping time is normal, but delays can be 2-3 months in some cases.

 

If you have Access to a 3D Printer they do offer STL Downloads but I am just seeing the Victorian Heads right now. 

Edited July 30 by W.A.Rorie

[phandaal]

She also has a kickstarter going right now with frankly crazy good value. If you like infantry, this is for you:

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/victoriaminiatures/grimdark-empire-miniature-stl-files/

[Bonehead]

I've ordered tons of stuff from them over the years. You're generally looking at a two to three week wait once you've ordered from the UK. Orders to the UK come from the US, so I guess it's customs and tarrif nonsense. STL files are instantly available to download, of course.

Quality-wise, they're generally very good, although they can be mixed occasionally. The resin stuff that's moulded in the old-fashioned way used to be the best to work with, because it's very easy to correct mould-line issues and slips, which do happen. It's also remarkably tough if you drop it. That is being phased out though. They also do a more modern resin called Siocast that tends to mould more reliably, but again you do sometimes get mouldlines, and on this material they're a pain, because you can't file it and it's not great with knives either. I supported the rough rider kickstarter and the Siocast lances were impossible to straighten, I had to replace them with brass rod. The 3d printed stuff is all top-notch in terms of detail, barely a visible print layer to be had. But they were incredibly fragile when I ordered some years back- not ordered 3D printed stuff if I can help it since. If you tend to drop your models then try to avoid having all-3d printed ones because they shatter like glass.

When it comes to printing your own- I understand you can print in a variety of materials, so that probably can help with the shattering, but printing at the highest resolution possible is going to do you a big favour because the quality is absolutely there in the files.

I did get a sample of two figures from the new kickstarter with my most recent order- and while they are 3D printed, they seem pretty tough- just bounced one hard off my desk and it didn't even scratch- and the level of detail is fantastic, so maybe they've fixed the 3D printing, which would be great. 

I'd say go for it. It used to be the case the VM stuff was pretty much advanced modellers only, but nowadays it's just as easy to put together as GW Stuff, which sweetens the deal even for a veteran like you. I think the new kickstarter is all snap-fit even. Hard to argue with that.

[Crimson Devil]

Victoria lives in Australia. Trenchworx the company that manufactures her physical product is based in the United States (Utah). 

 

Trenchworx has discontinued Siocast as an option, and have changed to a tougher 3d material. All the new models in the kickstarter are 3d printed. 

[The Pounder]

Thanks so much for the in-depth replies lads!

 

 It’s the new 3d printed stuff I’m interested in.

 

Not sure I like the idea of my models shattering, I bought a Lizardmen Blood Bowl team from Etsy and that was a disaster!

 

Gonna have to think things over, I just got a load of models for my Krieg so it’ll be a while yet.

 

The Grimdark Empire sculpts are just so good!

[Bonehead]

Well, like I said, the new 3d printed stuff seems much tougher. I mean, seriously much tougher; I just really dashed a push fit sample onto my desk really hard this time, and all it did was come apart where the separate parts push-fit. I think the shattering issue seems to be fixed, honestly. And like you say, they do look great

[The Pounder]

I reckon I’ll take the plunge! That was the only thing holding me back.

 

Once I’ve finished my Krieg I’ll be all over these!

 

Thanks again for the help.