Thursday, 8 October 2009

Aventine and Empire Models Elephant Size Comparison

Mithridates on TMP was asking how the Aventine http://www.aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/ and Empire elephants compare sizewise. 

Accordingly, I've bluetacked the Aventine Royal elephant together, sans trunk and tusks.  It is supposed to be rearing, but I've put all 4 feet on the ground for comparison purposes; it is the unpainted model at the front.



From the above view, you'll see that they are both pretty well the same size to the shoulder; roughly 53mm.



The build of the two elephants torsoes is not dissimilar.  The legs and feet are similar sizes.  The Empire body is rather longer, at 58mm to the Aventine's 49mm.

The big difference between the two is in the heads.  The volume of the Empire head is perhaps twice that of the Aventine, largely because is is very much broader, with a bigger forehead and eyes set wider (perhaps rather too wide) apart.  The elephant has a very large helmet and crest on the beast.  I prefer the smaller Aventine head, but can live with the bigger head on the Empire model because it is such an imposing beast overall, with excellently depicted armour.

Broadly speaking, the two elephants would work well together.  I'll be adding Aventine elephants to my Seleucid elephant corp as soon as they can sculpt them, and I can get around to painting them!

30 Spartans!



Mercenary peltasts


Spartan Cavalry

These are older minis from my collection, which I'm gradually photographing for t'blog. They were painted for me around 3 years ago by Nick Speller, and are the principle support troops for my Spartan army, which I hope to photograph en-masse, soon.

All the minis are Foundry World of the Greeks. Nick did a great job on them!


Wednesday, 7 October 2009

Jar-eel the Razoress



 Jar-eel the Razoress is the principle super-hero of the Lunar Empire, and incarnation of the Red Goddess.

Another Gloranthan mini from around 5 years ago, this is a Hordes of the Things "Hero" stand.  Although the painting is not the best, I'm really pleased with the composition of this piece.   Jar-eel was built up on a dolly.

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Oldie but a Goldie


Over the next few days, I'm going to post a few shots of miniatures from my pre-ancients obsession; Glorantha.  These were some of the first 28mm minis I painted, around 6 years ago, and depict battle mages of the Lunar Empire, summoning Lunes (madness elememtals).  Essentially Gloranthan artillery.  If this inspires you with nostalgia for Runequest, have a look at Greg Privat's site: http://gloarmy.free.fr/

The minis are Eureka cultists with an old, converted Citadel Mage.  They aren't bad (I'd do better today).  I used to use the ghastly Miniature Paints acrylic matt varnish, which gives the minis a slight bluish tint and leaves them a bit glossy.  Unfortunate...

Monday, 5 October 2009

Hellenistic Army Progress

Nick Speller has painted another 32 Thureoporoi for me, which has enabled me to expand my units of Thureophoroi to 24 each. I also show the Galatians here, as they are likely to serve in the same army:-


The Boars (Foundry conversions)


The Bulls (Foundry and Polemarch conversions)


The Macedonians (Crusader)


The Victors (Crusader)


The Ravens (Galatians) (BTD, Foundry, A&A conversions)

What I could do with, now, are a couple of units of Tarentines, some Companions with xyston or maybe javelins and shields, and a whopping great phalanx!

Sunday, 4 October 2009

Polemarch Thureophoroi


Despite my reservations regarding their relatively high price, I bought a dozen Polemarch Thureouphoroi at Salute, and Nick Speller has painted them beautifully for me. 

I replaced the Polemarch shields with Old Glory shields mailed to me by Allen, because I don't like the shape of the ones supplied with the minis.  Four of the figures in the unit are from the Foundry World of the Greeks range (also by Steve Saleh), which I think blend in extremely well.  The WotGs are numbers 1 4 and 5 from the left in the (clickable) front rank, and number 2 in the rear (below).


This is another unit that almost looks better from behind!  I think the new Polemarch figures are extremely nice...  I'd certainly like lots more.  However, where there are WotG equivalent figures, I'll have to use those because I can buy them so much cheaper on eBay (and because I have perhaps 500 hundred, unpainted!).  I'll be delighted to use the Polemarchs where there aren't, though, for the Successor cavalry, for example. 

Tomorrow I'll post photos of all 4 completed units of Thureophoroi.  All of these will be used as pseudo-Carthaginian militia, at Salute.

Friday, 2 October 2009

Zama To Do List

Things I need to make for the Gamesday (not including things that are being done by other people).

Essential
18x4 foot table
Command stands; Hannibal, Scipio +2
Paint/Base Remaining 5/7 Allied Legion  (80 minis)
Paint/Base Roman Legion (maybe Nick’ll come to the rescue on this one)  (112 minis)
Paint and base 18 Numidian cavalry
2 elephants
Finish and base 150 Numidians/Carthaginians

Strongly desirable
Backdrop
Finish and base 48 Bruttians
Olive trees

Nice to Haves
9 Carthaginian cavalry
9 Roman cavalry
Elephant & other casualty stands