I realised, today, that I forgot to blog the pictures of my pike phalanx, from Partizan back in August. Here it is; most of my phalangites are drawn up, 32 ranks deep, 1048 strong, with elephants in the intervals, representing a section through the Seleucid phalanx at Magnesia. The full Seleucid phalanx at 1:1 would be 32 feet wide. :)
Showing posts with label raphia phalanx. Show all posts
Showing posts with label raphia phalanx. Show all posts
Tuesday, 6 November 2018
Magnesia phalanx
I realised, today, that I forgot to blog the pictures of my pike phalanx, from Partizan back in August. Here it is; most of my phalangites are drawn up, 32 ranks deep, 1048 strong, with elephants in the intervals, representing a section through the Seleucid phalanx at Magnesia. The full Seleucid phalanx at 1:1 would be 32 feet wide. :)
Wednesday, 8 August 2018
More long pointy sticks
Here's my latest phalanx, based and ready for action (photo clickable).
These Wargames Foundry minis were beautifully painted by Shaun McTague and finished by me. The pike heads are painted on to plain pins; nice and blunt. These will form the front rank of my phalanx at T'other Partizan, where I plan to pick up a few more, from the Foundry stand... I also plan to do something I never thought I would- buy a couple of ranks of pikemen with lowered pikes, to go in front of them. Come along and see them and their chums at Partizan on Sunday week!
Sunday, 22 July 2018
Phalanx- latest!
I'm back from a short break and trying to complete my latest phalanx in time for T'Other Partizan. These are all pretty Wargames Foundry phalangites, with their pikes at around 20 degrees form the vertical. I'm going to need some more of these and some with lowered pikes, to boot. I want some of my taxeis to have the full dramatic effect that one sees in Connolly, etc. These are six ranks deep - I mostly field pike this way, now.
All the minis were painted by Shaun McTague, I added the pikes, inked, highlighted some areas and varnished.
Basing should be complete this week. I'll have pretty much all of my phalangites at Partizan, if you are coming...
Sunday, 7 August 2016
The last phalanx
I'm sure that this isn't my last ever phalanx, but it is almost certainly the last one I'll base this year. This is my twentieth phalanx block; a suitably round number to pause on. Most of the minis were painted by Shaun McTague, with some detailing added by me. They are a mix of Foundry and Polemarch phalangites and all have Sidon helmets, my favourite style of ancient head-ware; they join my Ptolemaic phalanx.
When deployed four ranks deep the entire phalanx will cover a frontage of four metres. Later I hope to add an Alexandrian phalanx and an Antigonid Macedonian phalanx, and perhaps a couple of units of Spartan phalangites. I would love (one day) to accumulate 32 units so that I could depict a 1:1 taxeis of 1500 minis, drawn up 16 ranks deep. Muwhhahaha....
When the basing is finished this unit will join the throng for my big Raphia "to the Strongest!" game at t'other Partizan on Sunday week, 21st August. If you'd like to play in the game (and haven't already) please drop me a line and the address on the front of the blog. I hope to run it twice and, with around 2K minis, there will be room for plenty of generals!
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Surly Successors
Here in the BigRedBatCave I am desperately finishing the basing of the last minis for the coming weekend's gaming. Shaun McTague painted these for me yesterday- they will command sections of the Raphia phalanx. They are mostly Polemarch miniatures with a lovely Foundry mini front and centre. I love the crossed arms- a rare miniatures pose.
Friday, 1 April 2016
My new bed of nails
Here are the new phalangites I've been finishing over the winter. Most were painted by Craig Davey and Shaun McTague. I've replaced pikes and shields to match my existing phalanx, varnished and based. There is still some base work and snagging to do, but they more than double the width of my phalanx to 3.8m. I'll take proper photos when they are flocked. Onwards to Raphia!
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Thureophoroi
Here are a new unit of thureophoroi for Raphia. The minis were painted by Craig Davey- I have just replaced lead spears with the ubiquitous North Stars and carried out a little work on the bases. Nice models from Aventine!
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Even more xystophoroi
Here are another two regiments of xystophoroi for the big WHC Raphia game, bringing the total to nine. These will be on the Seleucid side; there is now just one regiment remaining to base. These lovely Aventines were mostly painted by Craig Davey, with a couple of extras painted by Shaun McTague. I retouched and re-based. They are going to hit the table tonight, I bet every card they play will be an Ace!
Below is another shot of Andrew Brentnall's 6mm Pharsalus game- this looks better each time I see it. I have a scenario written for this battle which I'll publish later on.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
New nellies for Raphia
I'm currently working on elephants for the Raphia game. These lovely Aventines were painted by mate Shaun McTague (with lovely decorated cloths) but I am adding detailing, notably giving a couple the skin pigment issues that one sometimes encounters on Indian elephants (below).
Unfortunately I've not been able to get a table at Salute this year; apparently there isn't enough space for all the proposed games. The battle will therefore only be fought at the Wargames Holiday Centre near Basingstoke on the weekend after Salute (April 22nd -24th)- Mark still has a few spaces. I will, of course, take lots of photos for those who can't be there!
Monday, 8 February 2016
Seleucid line cavalry
These are some Seleucid line cavalry that I bought from mate Craig Davey for my planned Raphia game at the Wargames Holiday Centre on the weekend 22nd - 24th April. Unfortunately they were very roughly handled during their long march southwards (from Leeds) but they are now, happily, restored to peak military efficiency! Pics are clickable.
The miniatures are all Aventines and very nice they are, too. Happily Craig's basing style works very well with the Deep-Cut Mats.
I have been very busy writing, shipping, basing and painting recently which has cut rather into my blogging time. Have no fear; normal service shall be resumed shortly!
Friday, 22 January 2016
Seleucid levies for Raphia
I recently bought these chaps from mate Craig Davey and re-conditioned them after they took a bit of a pasting in the post.
There are two units of levies equipped from Seleucid arsenals, hence the uniforms and similar shields.
Each unit has some light infantry archer support (behind), for Raphia these will probably be deployed out in front as skirmishers.
In the Raphia game at the Wargames Holiday Centre in April, the levies will be somewhere on the left of the Seleucid line, probably as javelinmen, raw in To the Strongest! parlance. I won't expect much of them but they certainly make a brave sight in their red tunics!
In other news... I'm getting ready for the "To the Strongest!" world championship in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire. Around 20 competitors will compete for the title "World's strongest!". We still have room for a couple more contestants so if you are free on Saturday 13th February please drop me a line at my email address- I can loan you one of my armies for the event, if you'd like.
Friday, 15 January 2016
Raphia re-inforcements...
Mate Craig has very kindly sold me some more of the miniatures he painted for our joint Raphia game back in 2013. These represent Arabs levies in Seleucid service; they are unlikely to be the most resilient element of the Seleucid phalanx.
To some extend numbers will compensate for lack of quality... there are 80 of the blighters.
The minis are mostly lightly converted Perry Ansar and Copplestone archers. They took a bit of a pasting during the journey South, and one element enjoyed an unexpected four day sojourn at the bottom of the BigRedBatCave's recycling bin, but they are now happily restored and ready for the late April game at the Wargames Holiday Centre.
In other news... I am having a flash sale of the To the Strongest! rules (to cover the purchase of Craig's Seleucid cavalry). If you'd like to pick up a set with a 25% discount, please drop in at the BigRedBatShop and enter "LAKEPEIPUS" at the checkout. I'll also include a free pack of ammo chits with every physical order.
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Another one bites the dust
This is the seventh phalanx of my recent offensive, bringing me to 120cm. These are Ptolemaic Chalkaspides (bronze shields). After this there are (just!) two more to go, although there will need to be a ghastly week of base grouting and painting at some stage. Most minis painted by Shaun McTague, pikes, washes and varnish by me. Tonight I break ground on phalanx 8.
Friday, 1 January 2016
A metre of pike and a Happy New Year!
Above is the extension to my existing phalanx that I have been working on in November and December. I had planned 70cm worth of phalanx but as you can see I already have just over one metre completed and now hope to end with nearer two. Most of the minis were painted by Craig Davey or Shaun McTague and finished by me. All photos are clickable.
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| Argyraspides |
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| Antigonid Agema |
Note the shiny new Relik shields on the units above and below.
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| Antigonid Peltastoi |
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| Ptolemaic Leukaspides |
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| Antigonid Leukaspides |
2016 planned events
Q1 and Q2 are looking really busy and exciting:-
- The “To the Strongest Worlds” in Chalgrove on February 13th, 20 players will contend for the title of World Champion. I am praying for odd numbers so I have a valid excuse to enter the fray, muwhahaha.
- The Society of Ancients Battle Day April 2nd- I’ll be putting on an exceptionally large battle of Pharsalus 48BC with some wargaming buddies. Legionaries, sir- thousands of them!
- Salute- it looks like I left it too late to get a table, but you never know…
- April 22nd to 24th The Wargames Holiday Centre. I’m really looking forward to this one- I plan to put on a huge Raphia game plus Cremona, Leuctra, the Sabis and Ruspina. All at the same time. This will be the ultimate test of the BigRedBatmobile’s suspension!
- May 22nd- Partizan with Phil Hendry’s Sassanians and Romans, Harry Sidebottom and Ballista.
Resolutions for 2016
- Finish my Ptolemaic army- this is going very well with the assistance of two painter-mates (both called Shaun).
- Stamp my feet to rise a couple more legions for Caesar. And Pompey.
- New Theban and Wars of the Roses armies.
- Rattle out a TtS! army list each week
- Co-write the first TtS! “campaign” book and then get going on the fantasy version.
- Finish sculpting those bl**dy War Llamas!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my fellow bloggistas and To the Strongest! chums a Very Happy New Year, and...
may none of your cards be Aces!
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
White (shield) Christmas
The "Leukaspides" (white shields) from a previous post are now on their bases. The Leukaspides were the less well trained element of the phalanx and presumably included the youngest and oldest men of the levy. To indicate this I have given some of them pikes of various lengths, held awkwardly. Very few of them have armour and only around half have helmets. I'll do a close-up when they are finished, in the New Year.
Most of the above are ex-Craig Davey's collection, with replacement pikes and shields. I painted 24 more to join them. The above, along with two elements left over from Raphia, give me four new phalanx blocks putting me 80% of the way towards my one metre of phalanx target. I hope to close this remaining gap before New Year.
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Pike Fever II
I'm afraid that I have been too busy painting pikes for much posting. However, here are some WIP shots of some of the units.
Above are the better part of two phalanx blocks, a mix of my painting and Craig Davey's. These just need shields, snagging and basing. These will be scruffy leukaspides with white shields.
Above is a new unit of argyraspides silver shields painted by Shaun McTague. These need pikes attaching, varnish and basing.
Shaun is currently painting another 125 leukaspides and chalkaspides bronze shields for me, to go with the 30 or so finished minis below. All of these will need to be varnished and based.
In theory, if I can find time to finish and base all of these minis, this would give me another 1.6 metres of phalanx to join the 2 metres that I already own. This would make for a most satisfactory Raphia at the WHC in April!
Monday, 7 December 2015
Pike Fever
It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post and this is because in the meanwhile I been modelling like a madman. Above are 2/3 of the minis that I recently bought from Craig Davey, now re-piked, re-shielded and mostly re-based. The blue helmets are Ptolemaic Agema, and the red Peltastoi. I'll take a proper photo when the bases are finished.
I have decided to use the remaining weeks of 2015 by basing up more phalangites- I intend to add a whole metre of pikemen (240) to my phalanx for my big Raphia game at the Wargames Holiday Centre in April. I am just about 2/5 of the way there! I will be able to carry the phalanx to Basingstoke in the bags under my eyes. ;-)
Monday, 3 June 2013
Pikes, pachyderms and Partizan
Yesterday we played the long-planned game of Raphia at Partizan.
I was far too busy to take many photos, but I did get a few good shots of the setup, and one of the team involved; so here goes! This is a view down the 14' long table; the Seleucids being on the right.
Below, this is my phalanx, with first the agema/peltastoi, then the libyans, the five chalkaspides and three deeper machimoi taxis; some 600 minis with long pointy sticks! There were 11 lovely Aventine elephants on the table, and Craig's phalanx was very colourful in pink and blue.
Below, Craig's lovely converted arabs stare across the plain towards the Egyptian phalanx, no doubt with considerable trepidation...
A view from behind the Seleucid left flank.
There seems to be something wrong with our elephants today... an African elephant routs through the King's Companions.
And below, an Indian routs through the Seleucid mercenary phalanx.
Eventually the Seleucid cavalry were able to turn onto the exposed wing of the Ptolemaic phalanx, and roll it up.
I hope to get some more shots of the battle, later. My "To the Strongest!") rules worked very well, in their largest test to date, and Keith and Craig had a couple of very interesting suggestions, that I am pondering...
Craig has posted a fuller AAR here.
Here are the various involved parties: Keith, Adam, Craig, John, yrs. truly and Dug.
Partizan was great fun; very well organised, as ever, and I love the high ceiling of the main hall. Sadly I didn't have time to see many of the other games, or even spend any money. I did meet lots of bloggers and gamers, though, and enjoyed chatting with the WSS crew on the next table, too, as well as catching up with Keith, Adam, Dug and Craig.
Now... what to do next? ;-)
Monday, 27 May 2013
The last phalanx...
...for the time being.
This is an unusual unit, as only the front 2 elements are fully based. The rear 4 bases are temporary, and consist of 32 figures in the same pose. When the figures that are still off with the painter arrive, I'll mix them together with these, and re-base.
I plan to carry on with the phalanx in a more low-key manner, after Raphia. At some point, I'll want to build a late Macedonian or Seleucid phalanx, too.
Friday, 17 May 2013
Dress rehearsal for Raphia
On Tuesday a couple of friends helped me rehearse the Raphia game, and test my rules. The rehearsal went well (although I've subsequently tweaked the elephant rules, as the nellies needed more "oomph"). The above picture is clickable, so hopefully you can see the forest of pikes is starting to come together, even though I have less than half of the minis we'll deploy on the day, on a table just half as long. I'm getting near to the end of my preparations and Craig has been painting and posting furiously on his blog, too.
The game itself will be held at Partizan in Kelham Hall, near Newark on 2nd June 2012. If you'd like to play, we can accommodate several players... just leave a message in comments, below.
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