Roman Light Infantry & allies

A couple of shots of a Cretan archer unit I quickly painted up last week. I received the figures (foundry I think) from a friend of mine. Thanks Martin.
A was going to spent a bit more time on them, but they only ever last a turn or two on the board.

 I had a few remaining velites so I decided to finished these as well. Now gives me a total of 20. One conversion with the sword.

WAB on a Sunday

Headed off to Cookie's house a weekend or so ago to partake in a Dark-Age WAB fiesta. Cookie cooked up a BBQ for lunch, which we washed down with a few cold beers, and we made a day of it.

We didnt work out any points between the armies, it was just a matter of throwing on the table what we had with us. As it turned out, there were a hell of a lot of Vikings so we suggested the game represent a second Viking invasion shortly after 1066 V's a combined army of Normans and Saxons.

What a blood fest, the game started at 9 in the morning  and we called it quits at about 6pm. Victory seemed to be leaning towards the combined Norman/Saxon army. Even though we used WAB, this size of game would probably have flowed a lot quicker with the new "Hail Caesar"  rules.  Guess I'll have to try them sometime as I recently purchased them along with "Clash of Empires". Both sets look OK.

Figures were from a number of manufacturers, with even a few plastics thrown in. (Much to Cookie disgust!!) 

Thanks Cookie, great day had by all.

Roman Commander and friends.

Actually received a few hours worth of rain recently which had me confined to the house. This, plus a week off work, gave me the incentive to apply a little bit of paint to those neglected figures on the paint table.

 Roman commander for my Republicans, figure by Aventine Miniatures.

 Commander accompanied by a small unit of Balearic slingers. These are from Warlord games.

And finally, a few more vehicles for my side project, early war German WW2. 2 x SiG 33's 150mm infantry assault guns on PzKpfw I Ausf B chassis and 2 x Panzerbefehlswagen I command vehicles. FOW figures.

I think I'll finish off a small unit of Roman velites and maybe a Roman Army standard bearer next, although I have a been tempted to start some "War of the Roses" figures lately. Thanks Andy!!!!!!

Roman Legion

Still haven't found my painting mojo!!, (includes blogging as well), even though the cooler weather is here. I've even had a couple of games lately and that hasn't really helped, although the games were great ----- Romans need a bit more training or at least some help from the dice gods.

Anyway as I've mention previously, here are a few of shots of my painted Romans so far. All the rest are still in the lead pile waiting.

Movement on the painting table and review.

Well finally managed to move some figures off the painting table, this summer weather has just slowed me right down even with the air conditioners on. One of the bonuses of the hobby I guess, is that it can be shelved any time for extended periods of time. The finished unit is the triarii for the Republican Roman. I just sprayed them with varnish so I'll post them with the rest of the legion very soon.

But I thought I'd do a quick post re some goodies that arrived recently. The first are four  Battle Front  (Flames of War) models purchased from Maelstrom in the UK. 2 x Panzerbefehlswagen's for command and 2 x 15cm SIG33's to hammer the French and Belgians. These may well be the last FOW figures for me because Maelstrom isnt stocking them anymore as Battle Front have had a falling out with them. Details explained on the Maelstrom site.

I find Maelstrom still one of the best stockist on the market, particularly since they have free post and usually discount their stock.  

  

The next item I received was a quantity of road sections from Miniature World Maker in South Australia. http://www.miniatureworldmaker.com.au/     I've toyed with the idea of making some myself but have enver found the motivation. In the end for a couple hours overtime I decided to grab these.

They are made of latex rubber and come painted and flocked. They have a huge selection of assorted  scenery on their site catering for all scales. .   

The package I received was a,- Dirt Track - no verge - 2 inch - sand. For $80.00 you get 13 pieces. I also grabbed a Dirt road 4ft x 2 inch (sand) for an extra $23.50 plus a of flock . Great products at a terrific price if you ask me, 8ft plus of road for only $100. 
I've  placed a couple of FOW vehicles to demonstrate the scale.

Being made of latex they are flexible, so can be laid over hills if need be. See the top photo.

I originally intended to only use them for desert terrain but they don't look to out of place for the European setting. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Anyway that's it for now, hopefully I'll post before another 2 months lapse.

Cheers,

Guido. 

Triarii

Did a bit more painting yesterday between the chores from the wife as I had the day off work, (car washing, lawn mowing etc) so the unit of Principes is slowing progressing. A bit of highlighting, army painter followed by final highlights and wolla!!, oh yeah and the shields. Mmmm also basing and flocking,......... maybe a have a while to go yet!!

Anyway, during a short break from the painting I decided to see which figures to use as my Triarii. These are Renegade Principes miniatures also but differed from the above principes by having feathers in the helmets. The actual Triarii figures from Renegade are all in the kneeling pose and that didnt suit me.

I had to bend their arms to hold the thrusting spears upright otherwise they were all in a throwing pose. Only one poor chap came a cropper and lost his arm. The thrusting spears are from Gripping Beast out of a Carthaginian box. (Just wondering if I should use steel spears instead of lead)

Not sure whether to make them 12 or 16 strong as yet. Any thoughts? All the principes and hastati have 12.

Progressive Report

Now that the cavalry is finished I got stuck into the next infantry unit, so I thought I'd post a couple of quick snaps showing the progress so far. I think if I stick to just showing finished units I'd probably be lucky to have twelve posts a year!!!

                                                       The beginning of a Principe unit

A cyclone came down coast over the wekend but ended up sizzling out, so I had a bit of time indoors to paint. Still had time for a few beers in the pool as the humidity was through the roof but the wind is now picking up.

Hopefully finish this unit soon and then the triarii and a few more light troops............or maybe some WW2 for a change.