Saturday, 1 September 2012

Flocked and loaded for Partizan!

The last 5 units are flocked, and all the minis are packed.  Harry (eldest son and occasional wargamer) has been conscripted as porter and we are about to leap into the car, later to taste the heady delights of an evening in Newark!  Hope to see some of you, tomorrow. 

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Orfidius Benignus


Orfidius Benignus was the Legate of I Adiutrix (assistant) legion in 69AD.  I Adiutrix was a legion formed either by Nero or Galba from marines drawn from the Misene fleet, many of whom would have been Egyptian-born.  They fought bravely at Bedriacum, capturing the eagle of XXI Rapax, but the more experienced Vitellians counterattacked , killed Orfidius and routed Adiutrix.


This mini is re-based from I Adiutrix, which I modelled earlier in the year.  Minis are Foundry and Black Tree, with an Aventine dolphin standard.  I've decided to expand this legion from 80 minis to 99, including a separate command stand, to fit in with a new idea I've had for structuring legions.

In other news, there is a very good interview and review of Dr Phil's Augustus to Aurelian rules podcast on Meeples and Minuatures.  It is well worth listening to; gives a good instroduction to why they were written and how they work.  We still have a place or two on the game on Sunday at Partizan, if you want to give them a go...

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Mustering for Partizan


Four nights to go; every required Roman (or auxiliary volunteer) is now on a base, and half of the bases are painted.  I do hate flocking, though, and am not looking forward to the 4 nights of intensive flocking activity ahead of me.  Flocking hell!  :-( 

At Partizan on Sunday, the Ad Castores game will be right in the middle of the main hall.  We'll be using Dr Phil Hendry's Augustus to Aurelian rules- if you are attending, and fancy trying them yourself, please post a comment or drop me a line and we should be able to fit you in.

Friday, 24 August 2012

Equites

 

These are the last troops I need to muster for our Ad Castores game; an Ala of 24 cavalry, and 6 Praetorian bodyguard cavalry.  They were all painted by Dr. Simon's mystery painter mate, but I have highlighted the horses and wlll also be highlighting the shields, then staining, varnishing, basing and flocking.  I only have another 5 or 6 sessions before the game... gulp.

Thursday, 23 August 2012

Cypresses and poplars


For a couple of years I've coveted a grove of pencil-thin cypress trees, and have finally gotten around to getting one!

I want to give the Partizan "Ad Castores" game an Italian feel, and so needed some Mediterranean trees to line Roman roads and bulk out forests.  Consequently I've bought 25 cypresses (front) and 25 poplars (rear).  The cypresses and rear right poplars are from The Model Tree Shop, who gave an extremely prompt service; the rear left poplars from eBay.  I've based them all on mdf disks, which took a couple of evenings work.  When time permits I'll add some scatter and flock to the bases.  Figures are to give an idea of scale.

The terrain on Sunday will include olive groves, cypresses, poplars and my new vineyards, and so I trust it will look suitably rural!

Sunday, 19 August 2012

More Praetorian WIPs


I've not had a chance to post regularly, as I've been very busy, preparing for the Partizan game.  Here are some of the most recent units, which I'm in process of basing.  At the rear is a cohort of auxiliaries formerly of Legatus Hedlius' collection (re-based and expanded to 24).  At the front are 2 cohorts of Praetorians from the brush of Nick Speller, which he very kindly rushed to me.   I'll post proper pics, as time permits...

I now just have one Ala of cavalry to finish and base, and a bunch of terrain pieces.  It is going pretty well!

Thursday, 9 August 2012

Gaius Suetonius Paulinus



Gaius Suetonius Paulinus was the general who defeated the Boudiccan revolt, and later the Vitellian forces under Aulus Caecina, at Ad Castores.   His tactics in the latter battle were cautious, and he was blamed for the victory not being sufficiently decisive.   Passed over for senior command, his subsequent advice was ignored and rash Othonian tactics contributed to their total defeat at Bedriacum.


The general and both steeds are Aventine, and the trumpeter Black Tree.