Sunday, 30 March 2014

Two legions for Vespasian

I'm near enough to completing the various projects for Salute, so have begun to make a start on my next project, which is a Cremona 69AD, for Partizan on 1st June.

In odd moments I've been preparing the figures for two 100-strong legions of Early Imperial Romans, which will form the core of Vespasian's army. I'm using the system I described in my "One piece at a time" article in Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy. I have bought around 110 of the figures, painted, in 4 different lots. A substantial contingent came from Legatus Hedlius; in fact they are on the header of his blog! All of these need new shield transfers, and some (but not Legatus'), need quite a bit of work to make them presentable.


The balance of the required minis need to be painted from scratch, and are shown below. Almost all of the minis are Foundry Saleh's, but I've mixed in a few Black Tree, Aventine and Crusader and swapped a few heads to increase variety. I've  made a small start on the painting and shield transfers. One legion will have grey-black shields, and the other, yellow.


I have exactly 2 months to lick these into shape (whilst simultaneously building the terrain!). This should keep me nice and busy...

Thursday, 27 March 2014

Racing towards Salute...


These are the second wave of my British chariots, partially based and assembled and almost ready for our game at Salute in just over two week's time.  Tonight I shall fit the crew, and texture the bases, and tomorrow start to paint and flock the bases.  I also need to paint 4 more crewmen (and, as you know, I hate painting Celts!).

At Salute the fine chaps from Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy, and I, will be on GE02, which I gather is just inside the entrance to the left as you come in.  Please do drop by and say hello!

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Cats


I thought I'd post another picture of Ian's 15mm cataphracts, that were on the edge of the shot yesterday. The central unit are Essex; nice minis! 

I have recently recived some lovely "cats" from Keith at Aventine, alas I just don't have time to paint them, quite yet.  :-(

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Thin red line


Mate Ian came around at the weekend, and helped me shoot some photos that will later be used to illustrate the rules that I'm currently developing.  The above shows his Successors attacking a Roman Consular army; cataphracts charge on the right! 

Monday, 24 March 2014

Relic Successor Cataphracts

Mike at Relic has sent me a pic of a rather splendid unit of his Successor cataphracts that he has painted.  I saw some of these at Simon MacDowall's place.  Mike has caught the two-handed lance pose very well, and the horses are substantial Nisean chargers.  Very impressive!


They are available here.


Sunday, 23 March 2014

Wargames Illustrated 318

I was also delighted that Wargames Illustrated arrived; not only does it include no less than four articles on Ancient Warfare, but one of them is my own!  The other three are by chum and author Simon MacDowall. 

My own image has made it into the magazine, twice, as (strangely) has that of my Galatians, in different articles.  I am, however, wearing more clothes than the latter. The book I am reading in one photo is not the rule book, as suggested in the caption; I was actually quoting from a dog-eared copy of Polybius.  As you do...


Please go forth and purchase; I'd love to think they'll commission another ancient special!

Saturday, 22 March 2014

Setting Sail

Legatus was asking me how I was planning to tackle the sails on my Swan-neck, so here we are!  Get them oars on, Legatus.  ;-)




The sails are attached to small rare-earth magnets, to help with storage, and give me options of furled or unfurled (I have plans to use her in-harbour).  I need to think about rigging; despite storage issues, I might manage a few ropes.  The steering oars are also attached with rare earth magnets, for storage purposes.  I still have a bit of snagging to do, but the build is essentially done (which is just as well as I am very tight for time!).  


Finally, a huge intercontinental thank you to Thomas Foss of Skull and Crown blog, who sent me the below resin cataphract liburnium.  This is exactly what I've been looking for as the basis for a scout ship, or Rhine patrol boat, and I've already been giving a deal of thought to how I'll convert/assemble it.


Thomas also sent me some of his lovely Napoleonic cut ply figures, which I look forward to painting in due course!