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!

50+ Shades of Grey

It's time to talk dirty, soft ESCI plastic dunked in PVA .. 50/50 PVA to water mix, approx (see below, the Soviets have that suspicious PVA gleam - despite my initial reservations about glooping PVA over nice figures this steps seems to work well): 

The Soviets then get the remains of the grey primer .. it almost covers .. but runs out. Time to head off to the shops (see below, about 70% covered but the bases [sand peaking through] tells the true story): 

Fully primed (see below, up to full Soviet military standard ):

If it'd good enough for the Soviets the 'big boy' Saxons [28mm of pure Gripping Beast fun and fantasy] want some of the action (see below, note the Humbrol Acrylic spray dries really fast which is impressive):  

Well job done. Although I think it is much heavier on the paint than brushing it on - because no matter what I try half of the paint seems just to coat the tile - it certainly saves time! 

Note: That this took place outside, based on family complaints of the garage being "stunk out".

Gripping Beast: Generic Dark Age Warriors

Perhaps not much to look at just now but this is an interesting collection of useful light troops from the Gripping Beast Plastics range. Some forty figures all told, with sixteen slingers (skirmish), sixteen javelins (skirmish) and eight miscellaneous unarmoured spear/sword/axe (see below):

These filler troops can be used in the Saxon, Viking or Norman "order of battle." A very good buy IMHO!#

I am looking forward to some "1066 and All That" action (or at the very least painting)! 

Saga: Anglo-Saxons (The Good Guys)

Attacking the "Plastic Mountain" update: 

Now the 28mm plastic Sparabara have been assembled (though not yet painted) I am looking at the other plastic 28mm figures left "in the loft". Next up was a box of unmade unarmoured Anglo-Saxons (from Wargames Factory) to bulk up the old metal Gripping Beast collection (started circa 1999, finished painting in 2005) and the existing Wargames Factory plastics I have already made (but not yet painted), with the intention of creating a Saga Warlord Faction of six units (see below):

The "Yaeton" Faction Order of Battle:

• Unit 1: 12 x Unarmoured Levy Spear/Sword/Axe (Painted)
• Unit 2: 8 x Warriors Armoured Spear/Sword/Axe (Assembled but unpainted)
• Unit 3: 4 x Hearthguard Armoured Spear/Sword/Axe + 1 Warlord (Painted)
• Unit 4: 4 x Hearthguard Armoured Spear/Sword/Axe (Assembled but unpainted)
• Unit 5: 8 x Warriors Armoured Spear/Sword/Axe (Assembled but unpainted)
• Unit 6  12 x Unarmoured Levy Spear/Swords/Ax (Unassembled)

Spares: 

• 1 x Unarmoured Man with Horn (Painted)
• 2 x Unarmoured Spear/Sword/Axe (Painted)
• 2 x Armoured Spear/Sword/Axe (Assembled but unpainted)
• 4 x Unarmourd Bow (Unassembled)

Note: I would have liked to form a unit of Levy Bow (12 figures required), but I need to acquire 8 more figures. Missile weapons although not a direct battle winner as per the Persian army would at least weaken selected foes prior to the hand-to-hand and make your opponent initiate the attack in disadvantageous circumstances.

The Warlord's Hearthguard Formation is shown in close-up (see below):   

My other fully painted formation is the Levy Spearmen (although I could also mix in a couple of painted axe and swordsmen for a little variety). These go back to when I was trying to perfect the three-tone technique as promoted by the Games Workshop paint range of yore in the early 2000's (see below):

Note: The shield patterns came specifically from the Shieldwall Warhammer Historical booklet.

The goal remain to have at least assembled a "full force" and play a game of Saga. A middle term goal is to acquire enough (8) unarmoured bow from some source to field a missile unit too.