Roman army Review

Although I've started lots of Roman armies in the past I can't pretend I've always been enthusiastic about them. This one is just about my most successful attempt to date.

The cavalry. Back row heavies with a unit of each of the three Garrison heavy cavalry figures. There is another cavalry figure I've got and will probably do a unit of those - the other unit either replaced or was replaced by the ones with plumed helmets. Front rank African light cavalry is a very useful figure - Moors, Numidian, Egyptian ... As far as 'needs' go the cavalry are complete but will almost certainly be expanded in future!

The right flank infantry are the most interesting troops a far as I am concerned. Front ranks velites with wolfskins - what's not to like, need more. Middle rank auxilia are cavalry conversions and are my favourite Roman LMI auxilia with pointy sticks.  Need more. Rear figures are Praetorians but I'm thinking that they might be useful as Late Republicans - not quite right but I can live with that. Need more. 

Centre and left flank. Garrison artillery not exactly the best engines but... Slingers next to them have been painted as Spanish, white tunics and black cloaks. I'll be putting them in the Carthaginian army eventually and paint up another unit for the Romans. Middle archers, very Airfix in style, and the rather stiff 'ordinary' Auxilia - won't be increasing either of these units, archers because I've got enough, others because I don't like the figure! At the back, marching legionary - my favourite legionary figure. Need at least one more unit (probably more than one) which has been cast (several years ago!)

New moulds RY155 and RY156

This one fills in a few gaps in the classical Roman Range.

 

Mostly an attempt to expand the Gauls by giving them a few swordsmen as well as upgrading the cavalry moulds. Not 100% successful - some of the conversions didn't survive the mould making.

Haven't a clue what happened to the colours on this photo - the blues seem to have gottten lost somewhere. It's a royal blue tablecloth for instance! Meanwhile gives an idea of the 'new' figures - they'll really need another mould.

Auxilia from REC4...

The original idea was to use these for another cavalry squadron... then I thought 'actually, nice pose for an auxilia figure.'

So left foot bent forward, glued on a thin card base to make painting easier...

For me, it's a really good auxilia figure! Prefer it to RE14B, it's nearest equivalent in the original range!

Still to do - 24 figure unit of RE14A, couple more units of the Praetorians to act as late republic, possibly another unit of  RE6A, the marching legioary. Currently being painted unit of REC3, Cavalryman half armour, spear and shield.

RE12 Roman slingers

 

Started painting these before I got sidetracked by the Gauls!

For the paint scheme I've painted them in a Spanish Carthaginian scheme - purple edged white tunics and black cloak. I wanted to see how well they would look as Balearic slingers with the possibilty of producing them with the shield detail sanded down. Probably won't bother, this lot does the job OK anyway. I did think about the sword being on the right, but then I spotted the fact that a lot of the Gauls had their scabbards on the right as well. So I'm just writing it off as a Garrison thing :)

REC4 Roman cavalry

 

Another Roman cavalry unit, REC4. After this I'll do a unit of REC3 and 5 so that I've got a unit of all the Garrison cavalry figures. 

An earlier picture of this figure...

So getting on quite well with the Romans - this phase needs a couple of units of light infantry and two units of cavalry to be comple, but the army itself will still need more auxilia and, possibly, another unit of REC4. Another possibility would be to give them a dedicated unit of Sarmations as well.

Cartoon Romans: Command and archers

The whole set of Romans. Quick and easy to paint in a cartoon style, plus they look good.

Centurion, Standard Bearer and General. I wasn't sure whether or not to give the Centurion and Standard Bearer shields, in the event I decided in favour. Hides most of the paintwork though.

Archer section. One of the main things I dislike about a lot of Admins figures are shown with both the archer and standard bearer figures - why on Earth are the bows and shafts of spears/standards so rough? Smooth wood would have been both easier and a lot better!

Back in the attic

 The winter attic clean out/sort in the attic continues to draw dividends. In this case a box that we thought was full of Steven's primary school work hid a load of goodies...

Major find was an unopened Airfix Roman Fort. I know there's still more finds of this type somewhere - should have a box of factory painted Hovels Spanish buildings...

Back in the distant past I had a habit of bulk buying Airfix and Atlantic figures when the shop selling them had a lot of stock they weere getting rid of. Can't remember how many boxes of Airfix Ancient Brits I bought - either 10 or 20. Just found the unpainted portion of Ancient Brits...

I have a lot of old plastic figures lying around - these are some of the others I've 'rescued' from the attic recently!

Another cohort finished

 Well, been painting it for a few months now so it was about time I finished it!

Slightly slipshod paintwork on a couple of figures...

And I seem to have made the musician look a bit mouldy (must correct that later).

But really doesn't look all that bad.

My original idea for a Roman army included 1 cohort of Praetorians, 3 cohorts of legionaries plus auxilia and cavalry. At least I've done the Praetorians and most of the legionaries now!