I'm still here

I hadn't realised that it's been over a month since my last post. This has nothing to do with not painting or gaming,  just finding a lack of any time to sort out some posts. So just to prove I have been doing something, a few pictures of some current projects.

First up is some extra command stands for my WSS collection. I found I was still a few bases short to represent higher ranking officers. These are a mix of Minifigs and Roundway.

These guys will come in useful this weekend as I will be at Micks for the second game of our WSS campaign.

After reading a number of excellent reviews go the 'To the strongest' rules I made the purchase. I was in a dilemma as I have a very large collection of 28mm figures but couldn't face rebasing them. Instead I decided to rebase my small 15mm DBA armies. I've also made a few purchases to bulk these out. First up are dome additional Greek skirmishers and auxiliary from Essex miniatures.

Greek skirmishers

I've used 80x40mm bases for all of the troops. This way I can adapt the rules to fit my hex mat. My Greek collection so far. I still need to add some static grass to the bases.

Greek Hoplites

Greek Hoplites 

I have also been rebasing my other 15mm ancient figures from Macedonians, Bactrians, Hellenistic Greek and Indians. These will need to be added to to make viable armies.

The rest

Well back to painting and basing.

More Greeks

In a bit of a change from re basing my WSS collection, I did manage to finish another 12 Greek hoplites, bringing the total up to 32. That would give me 2 units of 16 or standard sized units for Hail Caesar. The figures are mainly the original Immortal miniature plastics with some metal 1st corps figures added in to increase the variety.

Greek Hoplites

Greek Hoplites

With the school holidays slowly coming to an end I managed to drag my daughter around Tynemouth Castle and Priory, in the pouring rain. Taking the benefits of Corporate membership so it only cost me 50p for a pencil for her. It all came to a sudden end when her wobbly tooth suddenly came loose and resulted in us seeking out her mother in the nearest coffee shop. Did manage a few photos though.

The road into the castle

The Priory

The Barbican

The Priory as seen from the barbican

All Greek to me

The first update of my latest project, 28mm Greeks. I've had this project on the back burner for a number of years now and was finally inspired to get them started. So far I have completed 1 unit of hoplites (majority of the figures the original Immortal plastics with a few 1st corps thrown in)  and 1 unit of peltasts (all from 1st corps). The 2 ranges are very compatible size wise, thought the 1st corps hoplites are slightly chunkier, but not noticeably so.

I am undecided on whether to use 16 or 20 figure hoplite units for Hail Caesar. the 16 is the minimum but 20 just look better. I also have a box from Victrix which will give me 112 hoplites. I'll need to add some more skirmishers and a small unit of cavalry.

Hoplites

Hoplites

Peltasts

Also as part of my own scenery building I decided to put together some roads. I made them out of 2 inch wide pieces of MDF, taken from the bottom of an old set of drawers. These were then coated in some terracotta paint with some flock mixed in for texture. Once dry I gave them a quick dry brush of cream. Turned out not to bad for about half an hours work.

Base coated terracotta

Finished dirt roads

More Greeks

The next instalment of my Hellenistic Greek force are now completed. First up 2 more bases of Thureophori. this time I went with a more uniform look on the clothing and gave them red shields. Once again these figures are from Essex miniatures.



Next are 2 bases of Greek heavy cavalry, again from Essex miniatures. I went for a very uniformed look for these, not sure if it is historically accurate, but so. The white shields help them blend in with the rest of the army. Now with the available Psiloi and hoplites I already have painted I can put together any of the Hellenistic variant Greek DBA armies.

Thureophorio

Next up for my Hellenistic Greeks is 4 bases of Thureophorio. These figures again are all from Essex Miniatures. I've stuck with the white shields, though did add a little bronze, as they blend in well with the Pike and I quite like the effect.





Next up is a further 2 bases of Thurophorio and and 2 bases of cavalry. I've also got 30 Franco Prussian War Bavarians on the go. For my nephew he had a left over box of figures for imperial Roman legionaries, after going through them I can put together 17 bases. Just need to add a couple of command stands, auxiliaries and cavalry to finish off a nice rounded force for him.

Bavarians And Greeks

A bit of a mixed bag this post. The latest figures I have finished are the 2nd Jaeger battalion for my Bavarian Division 1st brigade; and some Greek light horse to add to my ancients collection.


These figures are all by Outpost Wargames. The bases are MDF from Warbase. Next up are the Greek Light horse. These figures are all from Essex Miniatures. The horses suffer from that common trait of Essex miniatures in that the bases are very small and delicate.

Macedonian Companions II

I've managed to complete the last of my Companions, bringing up the total to 12 (or 4 DBA(M) bases). Next up I'll make a start on some Hypaspists after I finish some Franco Prussian War Bavarian Jaegers. Again these figures are all from Lancashire Miniatures. They don't paint up to bad.


Next up all 12 figures arrayed and ready for battle.

Macedonian Companions

After the large game at Micks (Greeks vs Persians) I felt a little inspired and started to paint up some additional figures. The first are two bases of Macedonian companions, by Lancashire miniatures I think. They didn't take too long and I've got another 2 bases on the painting table. After that I've got some pike men and Illyrians to get done.

A bit of nostalgia

One of the first ancient armies I put together as a young lad over 20 years ago was a 15mm Later Hoplite Greek DBA force. Why post them now, well in March Mick is putting on a Greek vs Persian game in 15mm. Dave and Neal are putting together the Greeks while Mick will be supplying the Persians. It was at this point that I had these gentlemen sitting at the bottom of a box, spears bent or broken, bases unfinished (you get the idea). I decided that I could offer them as additional support which was gratefully accepted by Neal and Dave. It did take a bit of work to replace all the lead spears with steel ones and re-base the units. I couldn't bring myself to repaint them, just a bit of touching up to cover the chips. Now compared to my painting of today these are way of pace, however it is nice to look back and see how my painting has evolved.

The Hoplites

Psiloi to the front

Peltasts

Battle line

The figures I believe are all Essex, still not bad even by today's standards. Ive still got a couple of bases of Psiloi and a base of Cavalry to put together to finish my small force.

DBA armies

Many years ago at the Newbiggin club I got into DBA. For a youngster they seemed the perfect introduction to Ancients. You didn't need many figures and could try out numerous armies until you found one(s) that suited your playing style. While having s bit of a clear out I came across these 2 armies. With a bit of tender care I've touched up the paint work and refreshed the bases. When I look back at them I realised how my painting style has changed over the last 20+ years.

First up are my Bactrian Greek army, combines the best of Macedon with the Indian longbow. Somehow never had much success with this army. Majority of the figures are Essex, not sure on the Indians.

Next is my Republican Roman force, can't quite remember if these were Camillan or Polybian. They are all Museum Miniatures.