I mentioned last week that I'd worked out that, with a bit of judicious juggling and outsourced painting, I could knock a legion of 240 recruits together. My rationale is that the cohorts have been recently raised in a time of crisis. The armouries have run out of mail, and are issuing shields in whatever colour and condition they have available, and many of the soldiers are in unmilitary whites and other colours. I rather suspect that a lot of Civil War legions may have looked like this, especially when Pompey "stamped his foot".
I'm making good progress. Below are the first 5 cohorts, less c 24 figures that are painted (by Nick) and almost ready to add into the gaps on the bases. I'm freely mixing armoured and unarmoured Foundry minis, with a whole spread of helmet types, and even some Aventines.
Below are the first batch of 48 minis that Nick painted, together with some shields that I've painted them to match shields on some of the recruits I finished last year.
My plan is to polish off these 5 cohorts over the next 2 weeks, and then complete the second batch of 5 cohorts in a similar manner.
Simon you are so right about the mix and match legions during the Civil War, as so many were raised to fight on both sides, that some must have looked quite shabby.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to have been a trend to repaint shields with slogans and images depending on who a legion was following and when.
Looking really good!
ReplyDeleteThanks ACG, I think it's going to look quite something in about 2 weeks time.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I think sometimes tabletop armies look too good. I much prefer weathered looking troops and more ad-hoc regiments like yours.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, can't wait to see the end result
Hi Simon - are you perchance thinking of Pharsalus? These guys would definitely make good Pompeians...
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm suggesting you start another monster project!
Cheers
Paul
Thanks all. I'm open to auggestions re the slogans on the shields...
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, possibly Pharsalus, possibly Thapsus as I have a lot of Zama-surplus Numidians. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLooking a treat. The speed at which you complete your figures/units is amazing. I have 120 odd Republicans to do, which is a 6 months plus project for me.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is definitely an inspiration.
Thanks Guidowg, my secret is that I mostly buy painted or part painted minis, finish them off and base them in a cohesive way.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly follow Guderian's creed of "mass not driblets"!
ReplyDeleteYes I've never been one for skirmish!
ReplyDelete