More Thoughts on my Gripping Beast: Saxons

I have had these original metal Gripping Beast Saxons, as stated before, going back to last century. When the Gripping Beast metals first came out they set a new standard and took the show scene by storm, certainly for the Dark Age period. I remember they came packaged in what seemed to be old video boxes and I with a friend split a pack, so we got twenty each! My collection's ranks have been swelled now with some plastic Wargames Factory troops as well as the Gripping Beast plastics, including some pesky [expensive metal] archers before plastic alternatives were available (see below, repeating the angry Saxon Hoard look from a previous post):

 

A very useful acquisition from the Gripping Beast Plastic range, some twenty four archers (the metals I bought still have not been painted), nominally Saxon but they could easily be loaned out to other factions (Normans even Vikings). Three repetitive poses (I may be inclined to do some later head swaps) but they quickly bulk out the army with some nice clean lines (see below):

All that is required now is a stint of "Dark Age" figure painting! Vikings and Normans for 1066 beckon!

Bring on the Saxons, this time for Dux Britanniarum Rules

This is a very old project of mine [started last century, ahem - now that makes me feel old] which looks like it may be finally heading towards the finishing line. Yes, I started it prior to the year 2000, I kid you not, for a collaborative "Dark Ages Skirmish Game" club project that required each member collect, build and paint a small warband of Saxons or Vikings .. I went for the brave Saxons. I also went halves with a fellow club member for half a pack of Gripping Beast 'metal' Saxons, twenty for a tenner .. absolute bargain in hindsight. Sadly, I left London before completing the project and even playing a game. However I did continue painting them, albeit it slowly, using Warhammer Historical Shield Wall as a painting reference (see below, I obviously had great fun with the shields - in the background are more 'plastic' Gripping Beast miniatures recently [as in a couple of years ago] purchased for Saga - then Saga II - again another false start): 

The warband set above is for Dux Britanniarum rules from the Two Fat Lardies stable of games. Third time lucky perhaps. The original pack allows for eighteen for a "warriors" block and a leader, twelve unpainted plastics for a group of twelve elites, three more leaders and a champion - with four "archers" the final group (see below, being based alongside a bevy of 20mm Esci Warsaw Pact Infantry in the foreground):  

A close up of the Saxon Elites and the Saxon Archers (see below, going through PVA basing and rough sand mixture experience for an uneven terrain look): 

Old and new, in the foreground 1970/80s Soviets [20mm], while in the background a millennium earlier, Saxons [28mm] (see below, despite the time and scale differences they still share the same 'basing sand and undercoat'):

More close views of the Saxon Elites (see below, I am already trying to think what patterns the shield will have): 

Next: Comes the primer .. usually a case of time consuming dabbing on of Airfix Acrylic Primer, but I have been recently converted to the art of priming with an aerosol can - it's a lot quicker ;)