Citadel C18 Undead Samurai

 

I got all of these (actually just realised I'm now missing one, see the bottom pics) when they were released at some point in the mid (or a little later?) 80's. Designed by Aly Morrison, they were simply a joy to paint although I stopped for some reason after 8 of them. The rest were, at least, based and undercoated with the occassional slap of paint... Fantastic sculpts. I've just joined the 'Fantasy Japan Gaming' group on Facebook which is a perfect home for them. At some point I'll dig out my old Clan War boxes and see if they are compatible.

On to the part painted...

This guy below was featured in a Citadel catalogue but I can't find the reference. I recall it being a colour one but maybe my memory is playing games.

It does look like I'm missing 'Li-Che' so if anyone has a spare please give me a shout. Image c/o Lost Minis.

Some of my other painted Samurai types... a very old Dixon's Miniatures one in the middle, I painted this in the late 70's I think. Trevor Dixon has one of the most wonderful oriental ranges and is still going strong. His son looks to be carrying on the tradition as well. The other two are more Aly Morrison sculpts released in the Citadel / GW Oriental Heroes range. There were quite a lot of initial sculpts as it was for the 1985 TSR AD&D Oriental Adventures book. Unfortunately GW lost / dropped the license and the minis had any reference to C TSR removed although you can occassionally make out a faint TSR on the back of some tabs.

Trevor's Samurai types on either end, this time sandwiching two of Aly's earlier sculpts for the Citadel / GW original Oriental Heroes range... a wonderful boxed set that was expanded beautifully before the AD&D / slotta change occured... the undercoated figure looks to be succumbing to lead rot unfortunately as it was of the era Citadel experimented with different alloys. Grrr etc.

Boxed set contents c/o Lost Minis WIKI.

So, until we meet again. Please leave a comment below!

The Assault Group Dwarves - Kettle Drummer WIP

After a long hiatus due to children being off school, social anxiety issues and spending time looking after my mum I have returned to the maelstrom.....2 new (very comfortable) settees in the front room mean that miniatures have been relegated to the back (dining) room.....very little space for anything, however I've got the painting table in a reasonably accessible corner with the luxury of the dining table to my left and an empty mantelpiece shelf to my right......the heights of luxury. 

A recent order from The Assault Group included a bunch of accessories for my mounted dwarves including holstered pistols and kettle drums....I remember seeing a Dixon Miniatures Mongol Kettle Drummer back at my earliest Northern Militaire by around 1974 (I think, possibly '75 but not sure if Dixon had started by then as I've read 1976 before now so may have the year confused) and was desperate to go back the next day but my father had other things to do of course (God bless him, he'd taken a young me there for the first day out of his weekend). If anyone has a copy of that Mongol Kettle Drummer (Camel) please let me have a pic or a trade! Anyway, Milliput mixed and Kettle Drums cleaned up it was a simple job of supergluing the drums to either side, having already attached the rider's body, and filling in relevant gaps....I'm certainly a poor sculptor so merely flattened out visible areas between the 2 drum and will paint accordingly...... the separate arm choice was one with a raised pistol - the easiest to convert to holding a drumstick. The drumsticks are merely cut off pins from an IKEA sewing kit. The earmuffs are a thoughtful addition as I realised the drums were rather close to the ponies' ears....

More TAG posts here.

Contact me on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk