Cameronian Only a (War)Game

1/72 Dark Age Northumbrians

2012-01-26T10:06:00.002Z

Four of Six.
Back to the plastics! Having written earlier that I had changed over to 20mm metals, two of the remaining three armies in the project are now plastics. In this instance, the Emhar set was too good to pass up and I already had the Cv figures, so…

Some minor alterations to the Emhars, nice hard plastic which glues easily with liquid poly, and they are indeed pose-able to a limited extent.

Based on DBA III/24 Middle Anglo-Saxon:

The army arrayed;

1x4Wb, 1x4Wb(Gen),, Earl with his huscarls;

6x4Sp, select fyrd;

2x7Hd general fyrd;

1x3Cv, what a handy set this has been, all gone now though;

1x2Ps, general fyrd.
Sources:

1/72 Polybian Romans

2012-01-01T10:14:00.004Z

From DBA II/33, re-based and re-organized. All foot are on 60x40mm bases as I found the 20mm bases to be too shallow for the figures.

The army deployed;

General: decided to have a command element, moving and fighting as Bd;

2xArt: extras to use up figures. HaT scorpions are kinda small so two per base. Two artillery elements are plenty anyway.

2x3Cv equites. With the General now separate should be more willing to commit these guys in future fights;

3x2Ps Velites;

3x4Bd Hastati;

3x4Bd Principes;

3x3Sp Triarii. Changed these to three figures from four, reflects the smaller maniple better I think. The middle three are Newline Designs metals.

New for 2012 - Sources:

28mm English Border Reivers

2011-12-10T13:33:00.002Z

Figures are mostly from Outpost Wargaming with four elements’ worth from Pendraken (no, not 10mm!) and one figure from Warrior.

March Warden;

Demi-lancers (state troops, deployed ‘in aid of the civil power’)Pendraken;

Border Horse (state troops) Pendraken;

Reivers (foot figure is Warrior);

Slew hounds;

Footmen
Intend to use these with HOTT rules.

15mm French Napoleonic

2011-12-07T08:33:00.001Z

The intention was to produce a two division corps with a supporting heavy cavalry division. That now appears unrealistic, so drawing a halt at the current position, which is:

High Command, Army and Corps;

Divisional command;

1st Brigade (Light Infantry);

2nd Brigade (Line Infantry);

Divisional Foot Artillery.

Light Cavalry Divisional command;

1st Light Cavalry Brigade (Line lancers);

2nd Light Cavalry Brigade (Chasseurs a cheval and Hussars);

Divisional Horse Artillery.

Not the most beautiful figures in the world, ancient Minifigs and Hinchliffe, with some Essex to raise the tone.

15mm SYW Prussians WIP

2011-12-05T17:38:00.000Z

From an order of battle for Rossbach. The project is to represent the Infantry Wing Front Line Left and Cavalry Wing First Line and flank guard:

Infantry Wing, Generalleutnant Prinz Henry and First Line Left, Generalmajor

I/II IR 9 Kleist

I/II IR 5 Alt-Braunschweig

Grenadier Btn 5/20

Grenadier Btn 7/30

Grenadier Btn 13/26

I/ IR 21

Heavy Artillery, Colonel

12pdr Left Heavy Artillery and a Battalion gun.

Cavalry Wing, Generalmajor von Seydlitz

First Line Generalmajor

Dragoon Brigade

Regt. No 4 Czettritz

Regt. No 3 Meinicke

Cuirassier Regt No.3 Leib

Flank Guard

Hussar Regiment No.1 Szekely (‘Green Hussars’)

Train.

Figures are from Essex, Frei Korps and Irregular.

WIP 15mm Russian Napoleonics

2011-12-05T11:02:00.004Z

Decided to take this one slowly, that way I might actually finish it.

The idea is to depict the 17th Division at Borodino 1812 (precision and accuracy in all aspects is not what I’m after, so pax to those who prioritise such things). The 17th because it’s comparatively easier than others due to the number of units from it deployed away from the main body of the Division.

So from the OOB I’m using, it’s supposed to look like:
17th Division: (Olsufiev)

Division command.
1st Brigade:

- I/(III) Ryazan Inf. Regt.
- I/III Brest Inf. Regt.
2d Brigade:
- I/III Belozersk Inf. Regt.
- I/III Villmandstrand Inf. Regt.

Elizavetgrad Hussars (I’m led to believe that these were detached to II Cavalry Corps, but some horsemen would be nice for a change).

17th Artillery Brigade:

- 17th Heavy company

- 32d Light company

- 33d Light company

I’ll add units as time goes on.

Baggage wagon.

Figures depicted here are a mixed bag from Essex, Minifigs, Naismith, Irregular and Frei Korps. Future units will be Essex.

If I’m really, really keen and finish all the other projects, II Reserve Cavalry Corps might make an appearance as well.

Battle of Sherrifmuir 1715

2011-11-27T10:41:00.000Z

Now that the project is finished I thought I’d deploy the forces and see what they look like. Too big to solo I think, volunteer needed.

From the Jacobite left;

From the Jacobite right;

From behind the Jacobite centre;

From behind the Government centre.

28mm Highland Jacobites 1715

2011-11-19T14:56:00.001Z

Long job but got there in the end. Army now complete as far as horse and first line infantry. Somehow I don’t think the second line will get added!
Mounted figures are all Minifigs apart from two Hinchliffe, foot figures are in the main from Warrior with some from Hinchliffe and Dixon.
All the ‘tartans’ are my inventions with the flags being appropriate rather than correct.

The whole army.

‘Bobbin’’ John the Earl of Mar, the Jacobite C-in-C;

Commanders; Right Wing , Lt. Gen. Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul (Hinchliffe figures); Master of the Horse Lord Drummond and Left Wing Maj. Gen. George Hamilton.

The horse: in front, Huntly’s and The Earl Marischal’s, behind, Fife, Perth and Angus.
The clans in the order they were deployed starting from the left.

Stewart of Appin;

Cameron of Locheil;

MacDonald of Glencoe;

Sir John MacLean;

Allan MacDonald of Clan Ranald;

2 Battalions, Breadalbane’s under Campbell of Glenlyon;

Alexander MacDonald of Glengarry with Grants;

Sir Donald MacDonald of Sleat.

1/72 DBA II/32 Later Carthaginian

2011-09-19T09:31:00.001+01:00

Figures from the above sets. Re-based from card to 3mm plastic and all foot now on 60x30mm bases (20s too tight a squeeze). Expanded the army from 12 elements to 21 to use up leftover figures and generally toughen it up. Shields by LBM.

The army arrayed;

1x3Cv(Gen), 2x3Cv, General and heavy cavalry;

3x2LH, Numidian cavalry;

4xEl, the elephant corps;

3x4Sp;

2x3Ax;

2x3Wb;

4x2Ps.

20mm Dalriadans

2011-09-08T10:56:00.002+01:00

Three of Six.
DBx II/54(b)Scots-Irish
I’ll be using them to represent Dal Riata, the Gaelic overkingdom of the western coast of Scotland. Not entirely sure whether to class most of them as Ax or Wb. DBA has 3Ax, DBM has 3Wb. Settle it after some fights I think. All the figures are 20mm metals from Irregular, with some minor modifications by yours truly.
The banner is pure invention. The old Irish Dal Riata was in Co. Antrim whose flag is saffron and white, people from there colonising Western Scotland. Where the Irish settled became Dal Riada (Dalriada) and then the territory of Clan Donald which has a red eagle as one of its heraldic charges, add a tail for each of the three ‘kindreds’ of Cenél Loairn, Cenél nÓengusa and Cenél nGabráin:

The army;

1x3Wb/Ax (Gen) and 2x3Wb/Ax;

7x3Wb/Ax fianna;

2x2Ps skirmishers.

HOTT 28mm Lizardmen

2011-08-31T13:06:00.003+01:00

Could easily be my favourite HOTT army, hence this little expansion of 2 knights, 2 blades, 2 warband, 1 shooter and 1 horde. As it stood, the army seemed short of choice in alternative deployments, so always seemed weak in action. This increase should fix the choice bit as well as making the lizzies much more formidable when fully deployed. They might even beat the Tyranids?!

The whole lot;

1xRider General and 3xRiders;

4xBlades;

4xWarband;

2xShooters;

2xHordes;

Magician;

Behemoth;

Beasts or Lurker;

Stronghold.

28mm Scots Border Reivers

2011-08-17T13:23:00.003+01:00

All figures are from Warrior Miniatures 28mm Reivers range, based on 60mm frontage. Intended for use with HOTT rules, as inspired by Counterpane's blog.
A long job, and slightly monotonous but pleased with the outcome. I’ll probably use them as a basis for a Scots army of the late 1500s, once the opposition is complete anyway.
Anyone who has Osprey Men-at-Arms 279 may recognise some of the poses from the plates.

Raiding party;

Heidman;

Reivers#1;

Reivers#2;

Foot Lownes#1;

Foot Lownes#2;

Thought I may as well give them something to loot and pillage -

20mm Pre-Feudal Scots

2011-07-18T09:20:00.005+01:00

Two of six
DBA III/45a) Pre-Feudal Scots 846AD – 1051AD, 20mm metal figures from Tumbling Dice with a couple of errant HaT Goths.
Pretty straightforward really, no fuss, nice figures, well detailed and a joy to paint; but can they fight?

The host assembled;
The Mormaer with his retinue and light horse;
1x4Wb & 2x3Wb;
5x3Sp;

2x2Ps.

1/72 Muscovites

2011-07-02T17:14:00.000+01:00

The Army of Ivan IV (The Terrible).

Three from Zvezda, one from Orion and one from Mars (sounds a bit sci-fi that!). In the end only used a gun and one figure from the Orion set and a gun from the Mars set. May yet add the Cossack foot from Zvezda once I start gaming with them; should a lack of foot be apparent.

Organized and based roughly to DBR II/4 Russian Traditional 1494AD - 1647AD, 60mm frontage.

A slight departure from my normal methodology with these guys, used the two moulded flags and painted them instead of replacing the poles with stiffer material and printing the flags. Mistake I think as the flag poles are pretty flimsy in relation to the size/weight of the flags. The Streltsi uniforms came from George Gush’s book and are for the later Moscow Streltsi but any port in a storm.

C-in-C;

Dvor;

Boyars;

Cossack light horse;

Streltsi 6th Regiment;

Streltsi 7th Regiment;

Artillery;

Baggage ‘Blessing the supplies’; Orion priest, Zvezda drummers and wagon, Irregular rats.
A bonus is that from the Unofficial Warhammer Army List for ‘Kislev’, one can morph a straight historical-type HOTT army, thus:
Streltsi - shooters 6 @2AP 12
Urugan Cannon (Light cannon) artillery 2 @3AP 6
Boris Ursus (General, mounted on bears) Hero on a horse 1 @4AP 4
Gryphon Legion, Boyars (Knights) 3 @2AP 6
Ungol Horse Archer , Dvor, riders 2 @2AP 4
The Stronghold of course being the baggage wagon.
Gives 32 points, so room for manoeuvre to get 24 . Sourcing single figures from the extensive fantasy figure lists available can provide, with a little imagination, any element wanted.

HOTT Undead

2011-04-03T13:40:00.003+01:00

28mm figures from Games Workshop, Mantic, Reaper, Nasteez and Scotia Grendel.

1xMagician General, Necromancer from Reaper with Mantic extras.

2xKnights, old GW figures and extra bits.

3xRiders, old GW figures and extra bits.

4xHordes, Mantic figures.

2xFlyers, Giant bats from Nasteez.

1xLurker, Ghoul from Reaper with extra bits from Mantic and Irregular and 1xSneaker, Ghost from Reaper.

Stronghold from Scotia Grendel scenics.

One for scale.

Scots Infantry 1680s

2011-03-22T11:36:00.004Z

Had a notion for a project to do armies in 28mm for Bothwell Bridge and Killiecrankie. After completion of these three battalions, I don’t think I’ll bother; too expensive and too much work. On the back burner until Pendraken release their new range of LoA 10mm figures, re-examine it then.

So these three are an experiment but will grace the cabinet anyway.

Scots Guards.
Reiver figures (BLB3 Musketeer Battalion with cartridge boxes and pikemen) based with a nod toward ‘Beneath the Lily Banners’ on 60x60 and 60x30 bases.

Unsure whether I like these figures or not, anatomically and detail-wise they are a bit strange in places. Lots of bang for your buck as they are big. On the down side, they took ages to clean up as they had large amounts of flash and extraneous metal. On the plus side, less than a quid each.
The next two are made up from the controversial Wargames Factory WSS infantry. Entirely different from the Reivers, took no longer to assemble two battalions worth than it did to clean up the Reivers.

The Earl of Angus’s regiment.

60x40 bases. Not much to say really.

Argyll’s Regiment.

Decided to mess about a bit more with this one. Got bonnets and heads from Warlord Games (not enough bare heads in (WF set) and gave the sergeant a halberd from the spares box (medieval version but what the hey). Now if Warlord would do a sprue of matchlocks…
Overcame the problem of the swords being moulded backwards by cutting off the hilts and gluing the scabbards to appear as if the hilts were hidden under the coat cuff. Tried several methods with the swords which were ‘in the clear’. Bayonets removed from the muskets, couldn’t do anything practical about no bayonet scabbards or plug bayonets on waist belts.

Only after varnishing did I notice that I had screwed up the bases, 60x30 instead of 60x40, what a wally! That’s what you call close order.
All in all, if I was starting out building WSS armies, I would have no problem using these (especially at £18 for 36 figures and loads of bits to mix and match).

25mm Government Forces, Sheriffmuir 1715

2011-02-01T14:42:00.009Z

Re-vitalised forces for the Government side. All figures are 25mm Minifigs Marlburians.

I found information on the British Army at this time sketchy to say the least, so more or less everything (facing colours, colours and standards) is conjectural to a greater or lesser degree. Left the royal cipher off the colours so I can use them for the previous reign.

As Burns had it:
'The red-coat lads wi black cockauds,
To meet them were na slaw, man;
They rush'd and push'd, and bluid outgush'd,
And monie a bouk did fa', man!
The great Argyle led on his files,
I wat they glanc'd for twenty miles;
They hough'd the clans like nine-pin kyles,
They hack'd and hash'd, while braid-swords clashed,
And thro they dash'd, and hew'd and smash'd,
Till fey men died awa, man.

Anyway, from an order of battle stumbled across on the ‘net:

Right to centre.

Centre to Left. (Haven’t got a table long enough to deploy entire army!)

Right Wing:

C-in-C the Duke of Argyll with:

Evans’ dragoons
Portmore’s dragoons
Earl of Rothes’ volunteer horse in support.

General Wightman with:

Forfar’s
Wightman’s

Centre Right:

Shannon’s
Egerton’s in support
Battalion guns (unable to find artillery deployment so placed them centre).

Centre Left:

Morrison’s
Orrery’s in support
Montagu’s

Left Wing:

General Whitham with:

Clayton’s
Kerr’s dragoons
Earl of Stair’s dragoons in support
Carpenter’s dragoons

One of these days I’ll get around to doing the opposition.

HOTT Albion

2011-01-07T13:18:00.003Z

Stumbled across the ‘Unofficial Warhammer Armies’ Codices, most of which are definitely of interest. I looked at:
Albion
Estalia (kinda Renaissance Spanish)
Araby
Cathay
Kislev (Russo/Polish)
Nippon
Norse
Being mean I thought it an opportunity of gaining extra HOTT armies by morphing elements over from existing historical ones. Having just finished a Pictish army, Albion looked an easy one and translates as follows:

Warhammer/HOTT/Figures

Cuchulainn/Hero General/HaT-Airfix Ancient Brits.

Hunting Dog/Beasts/Revell Conquistador set

Woad Raiders/Warband/Italeri Gaul Warriors

From DBA Pictish army:
Clansmen Cavalry/Riders/HaT Gothic cavalry
Warriors/Spears/Newline Designs Goths
Skirmishers/Shooters/Newline Designs Goths
24AP in all.

All were morphed except Cuchulainn and one of the Italeri elements, so not difficult.
Probably got the rest except for Norse (which is on the way) and Cathay (an excuse for a Chinese army!). Getting the fantasy bit in only means adding a figure or two which I might do later, for now do as they are.

20mm DBA Picts

2011-01-07T13:12:00.015Z

Despite the term ‘Dark Ages’ becoming less and less pc, I still like it as I find it evocative and it conjures up images in one’s mind’s eye.
So, this is the start of a long-term project designed to get me gaming again rather than constantly painting.
The intention is to collect six armies representing the various factions at each other’s throats from about the 7th century to the 11th century. The contenders are:
1. The Picts.
2. The Northumbrians.
3. The Strathclyde Britons.
4. The Dalriadans.
5. The Norsemen.
6. The Scots.

The Picts

DBA II/68b Pictish 500AD - 846AD

Originally intended to be 1/72 plastic, ended up with only the mounted elements in that medium.
:
Disappointment in the quality of available plastic efforts led to the foot being 1/72 metals from Newline Designs, as a result a good bit of the project will now be metal. The Newlines are nice figures with good detail, little preparation and easy to paint. None of the figures are actually Picts of course, all are Goths but I think more representative of people of the period of interest than Eumenius’ ‘Picti’ of the 3rd century. From what I’ve seen on the symbol stones they look the part.


1x3Cv(Gen),
2x2LH, 6x3Sp, 3x2Ps.

25mm WSS British

2010-12-03T14:23:00.003Z

Been tinkering with this one for 30 years, maybe finally done with it. This last tinker came about due to a bright idea of doing armies for Sherrifmuir in 1715. Instead of getting yet more figures for the Government army, why not use half of the existing Marlburians? So what is seen here is the remainder of the Marlburian army (1715 lot sometime in 2011). Actually ended up quite a neat force and more manageable than it was; comprising:
3 Regts. horse,
2 Regts. dragoons,
2 Battalions foot guards,
2 Battalions fusiliers,
1 Line infantry battalion,
2 Position artillery,
3 Battalion guns,
Command.
All figures are old style 25mm Minifigs.

The army deployed.

Command.

Regiments of horse.

Guards first line left.

Guards first line right.

Regiments of dragoons.

Second line left.

Second line right.

Reserve battalion.

Position artillery.

HOTT Dark Elves

2010-11-28T12:35:00.003Z

A hodge-podge of figures from various manufacturers.

Knight General.

Artillery.

Shooters.

Hero.

Beast.

Knights, combined foot and mounted fielded as an extra knight element.

Magician.

2x Spears or 3x Spears or 2x Spears and Spear General.

Wood elf lurker or warband.

Stronghold and one for scale.

1/72 DBA II/9 Syracusan 410 - 210 BC

2010-10-24T14:18:00.006+01:00

Another one from unused sets and left-over figures.

True multi-national force, Carthaginians, Thebans, various other Greeks, Thracians, Gauls. Maybe should have given them sky-blue helmets?
1x3Cv or 4Sp (Gen), 6x4Sp, 1x4Sp or 3Wb,
1x4Ax or 3Cv, 1x3/4Ax or 2xArt, 1x2LH, 1x2Ps.
The army arrayed.

1x4Sp (Gen) with 1x4Sp in support,

6x4Sp,

Space Marine hoplites.

1x3Cv, 1x2LH,

2x4Ax, Thracians and thureophoroi.

Thracian zeira.

1x3Wb, 1x2Ps

2xArt. Separate crewmen to allow flexibility of use of the machines. Read somewhere that this set from Zvezda is actually 28mm and intended for use with their ‘Ring of Rule’ fantasy sets.

25mm 100 Years War English

2010-10-07T09:42:00.010+01:00

Another long term project finished at last and the end of my medieval period.

Majority of figures are Minifigs with a few from Warrior/Crusade. DBA IV/62 with a couple of options and an extra. Based on accounts of the battle of Bauge in 1421.

The army arrayed

1x3Kn//1x4Bd (Gen), the Duke of Clarence (KIA) on an Essex horse, big beast so base is 60x60.

2x4Bd alternative used, Grey of Wilton (KIA) with Lord Roos (KIA) and Gilbert d’Umfraville (KIA).

6x4Lb,

1x3Sp and 1x2Ps (hand gunners),

1x4Lb, 1x4Bd Lord FitzWalter (POW),

1x3Cb (Warrior/Crusade figures),

1x2LH (Warrior/Crusade figures). Coustilliers; not really suited to this army or this part of the 15th century, more appropriate for French armies of the Burgundian Wars later in the century. Had the figures, like ‘em, may as well use ’em.

10mm Early Tudor English

2010-09-15T12:45:00.004+01:00

Flodden project now complete with the English army. Figures are all 10mm by Pendraken. Figure ratio used on both this one and the Scots’ army roughly 250:1 which gives nice manageable numbers. Roughly based on DBR rules though the double-based command and bills isn’t strictly legal as they are two different grades. Similarly the pikes in the Scots’ army. No matter as won’t game with DBR anyway!

The army arrayed.

Vanguard Right wing under Edmund Howard.

Vanguard centre under Thomas Howard, the Lord Admiral with forces under the banner of the bishop of Durham and the banner of St.Cuthbert.

Vanguard left under Marmaduke Constable.

Cavalry under Lord Dacre with borderers under the ‘bastard’ Heron and foot under the banner of the bishop of Ely and St. Audrey.

Main battle centre under the earl of Surrey with the Tudor standard.

Left wing under Lord Stanley.

Artillery under Appleby, camp and baggage.

10mm Scots Common Army 1513

2010-08-19T14:29:00.005+01:00

Representative of the Scots’ army at Flodden, could have done more but got to stop somewhere! 10mm Pendraken.

The army in line.

The left under Home and Huntly with Highlanders.

Left Centre under Errol with the banner of St. Andrew, Crawford and Montrose.

Centre, the King’s division with Morton and Cassillis with the banner of St. Margaret.

The right under Argyll, Lennox and Caithness with the Orkney levies.

The reserve under Bothwell.

The artillery under Master Gunner Borthwick.

Camp and baggage.

HOTT Skaven

2010-08-08T09:52:00.002+01:00

Bit of a disaster with these; after spending ages on them, matt sprayed them on a humid day and lo and behold, cloudy varnish! As the paint job is protected by a coating of Johnson’s ‘Klear’ it wasn’t a reaction with the paint or wash used. "Oh bother" I said. Thought 24 hours in a warm airing cupboard might do some good. Nope, didn’t. Absolutely unwilling to repaint them, did a touch up as far as I could. After all they are rats, so wouldn't be pristine, would they?

The army arrayed.

Throt the Unclean (blade general) with Ratangian Guard (blades) guarding the stronghold. Throt could be fielded as a Hero general or Hero and the guard as warband or horde.

Lord Skrolk (Hero) and the Grey Seer (Magician).

Rat Ogres (beasts).

Warp fire thrower (shooter or artillery), jezzails (shooters).

Gutter runners (sneaker or warband or lurker).

Clan rats (hordes).

Doom wheel (behemoth) large and heavy on a 60x120mm base.

While I’m at it; finally got around to sorting out strongholds for the others.

Lizardmen (Scotia Grendel Aztec temple).

Orks (retro toy rockets from e-bay).

Pictsies (stone {granite} from my garden).

1/72 DBA Seleucids

2010-06-17T12:33:00.005+01:00

II/19a

Having had a look through my pile of left over and unused figures I found that I had enough for several more DBA armies. First up are Seleucids in the form of DBA II/19a)b)c)d). I could have morphed over elements from previously completed armies but the object is to use up figures, so only the chariot gets morphed in the end.

II/19b

II/19c

II/19d

1x3Kn (Gen), 1x3Kn, 1x2LH.

4x4Pk

1xSCH (morphed) and 1x3Ax

2xEl, 2x2Ps

1x4Ax

1x2Ps, 1x4Wb

1x4Kn (Gen), 1x4Kn cataphracts

4x4Pk front pair are 'Romanised'

1x3Cv

1x2Ps

1x4Bd ('fake' legionaries)

1x4Ax

1/72 Renaissance French

2010-06-10T12:31:00.000+01:00

Finished at last! Mounted figures are all Dark Dream Studios, Landsknechts are DDS, crossbows are Revell and Caesar conquistadors. Artillery BUM and Old Glory.

The left.

Centre. No more Landskechts for me!

The right.

HOTT Tyranids

2010-05-06T12:56:00.032+01:00

The army arrayed.

A couple of problems in doing this bunch. Number one was choosing a colour-scheme. Originally I went for a flashy one, namely copying a Sally Lightfoot crab (check it out on Google). After doing a couple it became apparent that it would take forever to do 30-odd of them and the scheme didn't suit the different sized figures. So I chose a simpler scheme using 3 main colours. To get a bit of variety I imagined that the different sizes from rippers to carnifex were different stages in development, rippers being nymphs, then gaunts first instar, lords, etc, being second instar (to use an analogy from the insect world) with the colours getting duller as size increased. The second problem was the basing, I didn't think that the usual 'summer meadow' look was right but got stuck on what was. In the end chose what they have, basically deserted waste.

Hive Tyrant; 1xHero General. The lore says Tyranids don't have generals as such, each doing what they are bred to do single-mindedly. The hive tyrant is as close as it gets as it is a powerful enough psyker to control others. Ends up the only core unit.

Carnifex; 1xBehemoth. This guy is BIG, base is 60mmx140mm.

Brood Lord; 1xHero. Kinda like a super gene stealer, can act like a colonel or brigadier.

Zoanthrope; 1xMagician. These things float around messing with the enemies minds.

Genestealers; 2xWarband. Superior grunts.

Gargoyles; 2xFlyers. Flying grunts.

Hormagaunts; 2xBlades. Grunts.

Termagants; 2xShooters. Grunts

Ripper Swarms; 2xHordes/Beasts. Could be fielded as either.

Size comparison rippers/carnifex.

Stronghold, brood nest. The little things on the base are I believe glands,
supposed to be stuck to the figures for WH40K points purposes, used
here as larvae.

1/72 DBA New Kingdom Egyptian

2010-04-04T23:58:00.012+01:00

Tricky bit I find about ancients is how to choose a colour scheme. Later periods are easy, as usually you are working to some kind of uniform dress code. So how to paint Egyptians from 1200BC or thereabouts? Check the 'net is the answer! Tracked down an illustration of a tomb painting from Abu Simbel; it shows Rameses II besieging somewhere or other. Himself in a chariot as usual with accompanying chariots. The end result is I painted my chariots in what I interpreted from the illustration. Turned out not too bad. All figures Caesar Miniatures plastics. Based for DBA 25mm.

1xLCh (Gen); 3xLCh

4x4Bw.

3x4Bd.

1x2Ps and camp followers. 1x3Wb for 'b' list. Handy that, two armies for the price of one (purists would argue not).

25mm 100 Years War French

2010-03-29T13:36:00.023+01:00

The Army arrayed.

1x3Kn (General) - Minifigs.

4x3Kn - Minifigs.

2x3Sp - Minifig on left, rest unknown maker.

2x4Cb - Crusade c/o Warrior.

1x4Cb - Eureka Conquistadors (gotta use 'em for something). 1x3Sp - unknown maker.

1x7Hd - Crusade c/o Warrior. 1x4Bd, 1 unknown maker and 3 Minifigs.

1xArt - Minifigs. Apologies for poor focus, think camera on way out.

1/72 Thirty Years War Swedish

2010-03-12T21:45:00.006Z

A 'generic' Swedish force.

'Swedish Brigade'. Double-based for convenience.

1/72 plastics from Revell and A Call to Arms, baggage cart 20mm from Irregular.

C-in-C with commanded musketeers.

Veteran cavalry.

Dragoons.

Blue regiment.

Yellow regiment.

Green regiment.

Artillery and Train.

Baggage cart.

10mm Scots Covenanter

2010-03-12T21:45:00.004Z

Figures are Pendraken 10mm. All colours and standards are conjectural.

Deployed waiting for Montrose (patience boys, I’ve jist stertit’ them).

Commander Sir John Hurry with dragoons in front.

Left wing, Sir George Buchanan of that Ilk’s Regt. Sir James Hackett’s horse.

Centre, Earl of Loudon’s Regt. with Argyll’s Lifeguard and the Earl of Tullibardine’s Regt. in support

Right wing, Earl of Lothian’s Regt. with Sir Mungo Campbell of Lawers’ troop in support.

10mm Montrose Royalist

2010-03-12T21:44:00.019Z

Figures are 10mm Pendraken with a few Irregular thrown in . All colours and standards are conjectural.
Kilts and plaids are not intended to faithfully represent 17th century Highland garb!

The High Command, Montrose and MacColla.

Gordon Horse.

Clans: Grant, Stewart, MacDonald.

Gordon foot under Inverey.

Irish Brigade: McDonnell's Regt., O'Cahan's Regt.

Strathbogie Regt.

Light artillery and baggage.

HOTT Pictsies

2010-03-12T21:44:00.018Z

C'moan, yir tea's ready! Some time ago I read 'The Wee Free Men' by Terry Pratchett and thought 'Hello, these characters would make a good army sometime'. Forgot about it for a while then stumbled across something called Hordes of the Things. A light bulb went on, so I set about planning the army. First problem was what figures to use, dwarfs were the obvious but seemed too po-faced. GW goblins were ideal as they fitted the anarchic style of the Wee Free Men. However, it couldn't be just another goblin army. So blue instead of green and themed. This suited what I wanted from the perspectives of easy to put together and a straightforward paint job - the latter a necessity due to me having a short attention span. As it was by the time I got them finished I was pretty much sick of the sight of them. All the GW figures were sourced through e-bay. Anyway, here they be:

Clan MacSwick

'MacSwick o'that ilk' with retainers - Warband General; GW figures, piper is a Rackham dwarf.

‘MacSwick’s Wabsters’ - 3xRiders. Figures from GW.

'Skelpers'- 3x Warband; GW figures.

Clan MacBoak

'The MacBoak' - Aerial Hero. Figures from GW.

‘Muckle Dugs’ - 3xKnights . Figures from GW.

'Daft Yins’ - 3xFliers. Figures from GW.

‘Crummock Wheecher’ wi' crew o' wee nyaffs - Artillery. Figures from GW.

‘Heid bangers’ - Lurker. Figures from GW.

The Lave

'Holy Wullies' - Magician & Cleric; GW figures.

'Arras’ - 3xShooters . Figures from GW.

‘Haggis bashers wi' wild haggis herd and prize bull - purple Angus' - 3xBeasts. Figures from GW.

‘Bluitert Chiels’ - 3xHordes. Caesar miniatures 1/72 goblins.

‘Nessie’ - Dragon. By PAPO from local toy store.

1/72 Thirty Years War German Catholic

2010-03-12T21:43:00.013Z

The Army.

Figures from A Call To Arms, Orion and Revell.

The Orions good as generic cuirassier types with an 'Eastern' look. If I had to start again or expand, I would add the Zvezda infantry into the mix.

Based 60mm for DBR 25mm, infantry double-based.

C-in-C,

Croatian cavalry.

Bavarian regiments,

League regiments,

Artillery,

Baggage cart (Irregular 20mm metal).

HOTT Orks

2010-03-12T21:43:00.007Z

Da Waaagh! Unwanted leftovers plus others picked up here, there and e-bay. Decided to stick to Orky-type troops; shooters, close combat and fast movers. Based for 25mm on 60mm-wide bases but had to compromise on base depths due to size of figures. Great fun to paint.

2xBlades. General element on 60x40 base. Warlord Gahzkull with Makari his bosspole bearer, gretchin acolyte and pet squig. Ork boyz on 60x40 base. As all the Orks look basically the same, differentiate element types by how they are armed - in this case edged weapons only, so blades. 4AP

2xShooters. Madboyz and boyz on 60x40 bases. Armed with shooty things only. 4AP.

4xWarbands. Ork boyz on 60x40 bases. Mixed weapons. 8AP.

4xHordes. Gretchin on 60x40 bases. 4AP.

2xRiders. Boarboyz on 60x40 bases. 4AP.

1xBehemoth. Dreadnought with snotlings on 60x60 base, 4AP.

1xKnight. Wartrak on 60x60 base. 2AP.

1xMagician. Mekaniak, WH orc chief and snotlings on 60x60 base. 4AP.

1xLurker. Runtherd with snotlings. 1AP.

2xArtillery. Shok attak gun with runtherd and snotling 'ammo' on 60x60 base. 'Eavy shoota with snotlings on 60x60 base. 6 AP.

3xHeroes. Nobz. Wortsnagga the renegade runtmaster and runts, Nob in mega-armour with snotlings (iron rations) and nob on boar (runt of litter by looks of it - 'that'll do pig'). 12AP.

Army strength of 53AP.

1/72 Samurai

2010-03-12T17:43:00.006Z

The Army. Divides in two nicely as opponents.

Sekigahara 1600. Based on the Samurai army of Ishida Mitsunari; he was the loser.
Figures are based for 25mm DBR.

Ishida; Shimazu; Konishi; Ukita clans.

Mori; Koboyakawa; Ogawa (two); Wakizaka clans.

10xCavalry. Ishida C-in-C at front left.

7xFoot Samurai. Koboyakawa general front left.

3xBowmen.

3xMatchlockmen.

4xAshigaru from Zvezda.

5x Ashigaru 20mm metal from B&B Miniatures.
1xNinja. Likely will end up as a sneaker element in a HOTT army.

2xBaggage. Ishida Mitsunari with clan generals viewing a head.

10mm Polish-Lithuanian Rzeczpospolita

2010-03-12T17:42:00.007Z

Figures mostly Pendraken.

The Army. painted in two lots, second lot ended up with lighter bases due to diluting textured paint with tap water. Presumably hard/soft water left deposits behind when it dried. Re-paint the bases whenever I get around to doing an enemy for these guys.

Plan now is to re-base the whole and modify the troop list with new releases.

C-in-C with winged lancers.

Pancerni.

Light horse. Irregular Turcopoles.

Haiduks.

Peasant hordes.

Artillery from Irregular.

Baggage wagon from Irregular.

15mm Ottoman Turk

2010-03-12T17:42:00.006Z

Essex figures with a few Venexia.

C-in-C with Qapukulu cavalry.

Sipahis.

Akinjis.

Janissaries.

Azabs.

Artillery and baggage.

1/72 AWI American

2010-03-12T17:41:00.009Z

Not organised to any particular set of published rules. From an orbat on US Parks Service website. Figures are 1/72 plastics from Imex and Italeri with gaps filled with Irregular 20mm metals. Mounted units on 40x40 bases, infantry on 40x30, rest on whatever fits.

Army command. Imex and Italeri.

Virginia Continental brigade. Imex, Irregular.

Maryland Continental brigade. Imex, Irregular.

Washington's Legion. L to R, mounted militia Irregular, Continental dragoons Irregular, Continental dragoons Italeri, Continental dragoons Italeri, Imex militia at front, Continentals at rear.

Lee's Legion. Italeri horse with Airfix Tarleton helmets, foot are Irregular 20mm.

Continental artillery. Imex crews, HaT guns, Irregular support vehicles.

Virginia Militia brigade. Imex

North Carolina Militia brigade. Imex and Irregular.

Pack mules. Imex continentals, Irregular mules.

28mm AWI British

2010-03-12T17:41:00.008Z

From Parks Service orbat. Figures are old Hinchliffe with some Minifigs and a cart from Irregular. Based 40x40mm for infantry and cavalry, rest as fits.

Cornwallis and Staff.

British Legion cavalry. The general officer is not from the pony club but new from Minifigs; Hinchliffe gave you a lot of metal for your money in those days.

O'Hara's Composite Guards Brigade.

Leslie's Brigade, 71st and Hessian musketeer regiment von Bose.

Webster's Brigade, 33rd., 23rd. and light infantry.

MacLeod's RA battery.

Baggage guard, 7th.

25mm Napoleonic British

2010-03-12T17:38:00.004Z

This one took 30 years to finish! Figures are old Hincliffe, Warrior and Minifigs. There's a Greenwood and Ball cannon as well. The supply cart is from Irregular. Mounted and foot on 40x40mm bases, the rest as suits.

The C-in-C and Staff.

Heavy cavalry brigade, Dragoons and Lifeguards.

Light Dragoon brigade.

1st brigade, Highlanders and Light Infantry.

2nd brigade, line infantry.

Horse and foot artillery with pioneers.

Supply cart.

1/72 Renaissance Spanish

2010-03-11T09:59:00.015Z

The army deployed.

1/72 plastics from Revell, Caesar and BUM. Conquistadors are a bit late for early century but have to do as no choice in plastics.

C-in-C Ramon de Cardona, Viceroy of Naples. Doggies will likely end up in a HOTT army.

Gente d’armas. Extra figures sourced.

Ginetes. Extra figures sourced.

Colunella. 'Uniform' from illustration in NYPL on-line collection. Pikes are double-based. Arquebusiers, weapons shortened for a more 'arquebusy' look. Sword and buckler men, looks more like a shield than a buckler!?

Landsknecht Artillery. Figures from BUM are re-worked DDS Landsknecht pikemen in a very 'biscuity' resin. Original guns in set are too like medieval bombards, managed to source a couple of Old Glory metals.

Baggage. Wagon from BUM artillery train set, figures 20mm metal from Newline Designs.

DBA Pyrrhic

2009-12-03T15:05:00.010Z

A rummage around the leftover and unused box turned up this lot (still plenty more in there!). A change of opponent for the Republican Romans. II/27(a) 1x3Kn (Gen), 1x3Cv, 6x4Pk, 2x4Sp, 2x2Ps. II/27(b) 1x3Kn (Gen), 1x3Cv, 1x2LH, 1xEl, 4x4Pk, 2x4Sp, 1x4Ax, 1x2Ps. 1x3Kn (Gen), 1x3Cv, 1x2LH. Zvezda and HaT. 1xEl. Zvezda. 6x4Pk. HaT, from Carthaginian command set; the poses didn’t make much sense before, better with the long pikes. Hypaspists, front centre. 2x4Sp front, HaT, 2x4Sp back, HaT. 1x4Ax, HaT. Thracians masquerading as Thureophoroi. 2x2Ps, HaT. Camp followers, Newline designs

DBA Early Achaemenid Persian

2009-11-03T18:35:00.016Z

Figures by HaT and Zvezda, based for DBA 25mm.

1x3Cv (Gen), 1x3Cv, 1x2LH and 2x2Ps are morphed over from II/7 and the following added:

2x8Bw, the famous double bases which aren't used in DBA! Better aesthetics with the bigger bases but no element advantages.

2x3Ax and 1x7Hd.

1x4Bw and 1x3Bw.

II/7 Later Achaemenid Persians

2009-11-03T18:32:00.006Z

Based for DBA 25mm. Figures from Zvezda and HaT. 1x3Cv (Gen), 2x3Cv, 1xSCh, 2x2LH and 2x2Ps, 4x4Sp. The usual tight squeeze 4 Zvezda on a base!

25mm 100 Years War Scots

2009-10-25T13:15:00.007Z

My first foray into the medieval world. Figures are 25mm metals from various makers; bargain bucket from e-bay with a few supplements. Based on participants at Bauge 1421.

The all options army.

1x3Kn (Gen). The Earl of Buchan flanked by Sir Hugh Carmichael and Hugh Kennedy. Minifigs.

10x4Pk. Essex and Minifigs.

4x4Pk under Sir Alexander Buchanan (who killed the Duke of Clarence) and Sir John Stuart of Darnley.

4x4Pk under Sir Robert Stewart of Ralston and Sir John Sibbald.

2x4Pk under Laurence Vernon.

1x3Bw. Minifigs.

1x3Wb, Essex. 1x5Wb under Henry Cunningham. Minifig and Eureka.

1x2Ps, Crusade c/o Warrior.

II/15 Alexandrian Imperial

2009-09-28T21:40:00.008+01:00

II/15 Alexandrian Imperial Morphing elements 1x3Kn (Gen), 1x2LH, 6x4Pk, 1xArt, 1x2Ps over from II/12 and adding the following completes this army with all options too. 1x3Kn Companions, 1xEl; an old conversion I hadn't the heart to leave out, 1x4Ax, 1x2Ps Persian contingent.

II/12 Alexandrian Macedonian

2009-09-28T12:04:00.001+01:00

Old army re-based and all options added. Figures from HaT Industries and Zvezda, based for DBA 25mm.
II/12 Alexandrian Macedonian all options.
1x3Kn (Gen) Alex & Companions,
1x3Cv Thessalians,

1x2LH Prodromoi,

1x4Ax Agrianians,

6x4Pk,

1x2Ps,

1x4Sp Foot Companions or Art or4Ax Thracians or 2Ps.

I/46(b) Kushite Egyptian

2009-04-27T12:23:00.044+01:00

As no Kushite chariots and cavalry are available in plastic, some mild conversion and artistic licence is necessary. The cavalrymen got a head swap and their horses got a blanket and reins. Chariots simply got a personnel change. Based for 25mm DBA on 60mm wide bases. Figures from Caesar and HaT.

Costume details are hard to come by for these guys but I stumbled across this illustration somewhere on the net:

No idea what the differences indicate, guessed it was some kind of rank distinction.

My favourite photo of a spotty. Problem; be as accurate as possible with the leopard skin and spend the next 3 months painting the same figures, or go with something which looks (to me) acceptable and gets done a whole lot quicker? No contest, went with the latter - too many other figures to paint.

1xLCh (Gen), 1xLCh,

2x3Cv,

2x3Bw, 1x4Bw,

1x4Bd,

2x3Ax,

2x4Sp (Meshwesh militia).

II/2 Mountain Indian.

2009-03-13T18:04:00.016Z

A real motley crew, good way of using up left over figures and some from unused sets. No historical research involved, assumed this army would be a mixed bag of different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Smaller populations requiring some banding together for defence. That's my theory anyway!
1xEl (Gen). HaT figure left over from Classicals. The general is
half and half HaT and Lucky Toys.

2xLH. HaT Parthian Light Cavalry figures. Posing as
Bactrians/Arachosians or some such. Will morph over nicely
if I ever do that Parthian army.

2x3Ax. HaT Indian Infantry, nothing else to say really.
2x3Ax. Lucky Toys Porus Army set; who or what they are
supposed to be I couldn't say.

1x4Ax. HaT Persian Light Infantry set, posing as Saka here.
The pointy hats are indicative apparently.
2x2Ps. HaT Persian Light Infantry set, posing as Bactrians here.
2x2Ps. HaT Indian Infantry set, look like aboriginal types.

II/3 Classical Indian.

2009-03-01T11:39:00.019Z

Found myself stuck as to what colour scheme to use for this one. Having neither the skill nor the patience to go for an elaborate scheme I went looking for something simple. First thing was to research the significance of colour in Hinduism, this decided the basic colours used:
red, for shakti (prowess);
blue, bravery/manliness/determination;
yellow, knowledge and learning; competence;
saffron, battle colour of the Rajput warrior caste.

The army list covers a thousand years so it's gotta fit in there somewhere! The figures are from the Lucky Toys Porus' Army set and the HaT (Coates & Shine) 8131, 8142 (3 in the box!) and 8154 sets. When I bought the figures the HaT chariot set was only a gleam in someone's eye, but released long before I started the army; went with what I had regardless. The HaT figures aren't that good anatomically being rather stout and squat-looking, most unlike the gracile people of the sub-continent.
General's command elephant (Lucky Toys), 2xEl from HaT.
1xLCh (Lucky Toys), 2x3Cv from HaT.

5x3Lb, 1x4Bd all from HaT. I'll post better pics when I get the chance.

25mm DBA I/52b Early Hoplite Spartans

2008-07-12T19:55:00.025+01:00

Figures are 25mm Warrior. Had to double-base them in an attempt to protect the spears. This will make gaming interesting, all group moves. They will need to get good close combat scores too; if the front row goes, so does the back one!

General.

The army.

15mm IV/55b DBA Ottoman

2008-07-03T20:44:00.037+01:00

Morph elements from DBR I/12 Ottoman Turk

1x3Cv (Gen),

3x3Cv

4x2LH,

1x4Bw

1xArt and camp/baggage element.

Add Essex Janissary skirmishing handgunners as 2x2Ps

I/51 Neo-Assyrian

2008-04-02T11:57:00.029+01:00

The army arrayed.

Figures are mostly Caesar, with a horde from HaT. Based for DBA 25mm.

Chariotry and General.

The cavalry .

Spears and Auxilia.

Light troops and horde.

I/24a Hittite Empire

2008-04-02T11:45:00.030+01:00

Hittite General and the chariot force.

All the figures are Caesar, based for DBA 25mm.
Spears.

Light troops and horde.