Early Achaemenid Sparabara



 

The first unit of Sparabara, these are 28mm figures; in the front rank are Crusader Miniatures spearmen and command, the rear rank archers are Miniature Design Studio figures. I think they are an excellent match compatibility wise for each other.

 

These are the infantry core of my army, there are initially 3 more units of Sparabara to come, more are planned but I will have to figure out where the figures are and how many I have. I think I have enough for at least another 2 units somewhere in storage.

 

The reason why I keep referring to unknown quantities of figures somewhere in storage is that I often buy figures in an ad hoc fashion. I know what armies I'm collecting, and whenever I go to a show I tend to grab a few extra packs that may be on offer or not as the mood takes me. As a consequence I have boxes of lead that quite often offer up little treasures I have forgotten about. One such lost and found gem is for my Early Achaemenid Persians which I am currently painting up, pictures will follow once it is painted and based.

 

But for now back to the Sparabara...

 

 



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WWI Trench Systems

A departure from the usual, these are the latest pieces I'm painting up for the collection of my friend Peter, he already has quite an impressive WWI trench layout, and these are the latest additions. The trenches are from Urban Construct in the UK. They are for 28mm figures and look impressive when all set up on the table.

Painted in craft acrylics and Foundry Canvas (Shade) for the sand bags, I've mixed the paint to match the earlier pieces I painted.
The next stage is to paint over Army Painter Strong Tone, this gives another layer of shading and adds that all important protection. Then leave to cure and a final spray with the matt varnish. I'll be leaving them longer than the recommended period as I've previously had a narrowly averted disaster with the Army Painter dip not being completely dry and reacting with the varnish to look crinkled. Fortunately it was on a block house for FIW, so actually looks okay as it was most pronounced on the logs (doubt I could repeat it though!)

There will be a return to Achaemenid Persians next update as I've been very busy since my last post and the army is coming together nicely.

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16th 'Foot Dragoons' Skirmishing

A brief return to the 18th Century and the American War of Independence.
The figures are 28mm Perry Miniatures from pack AW21 16th 'Foot Dragoons', skirmishing.

I've based these on 25mm circular bases. Took a while for me to finish and get posted as I've become slightly diverted on my ancients.

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Kushite Skirmishers

 

Another small addition to my Early Achaemenid Persian army, these have been recruited from my New Kingdom Egyptian army (still to paint).

 

We know from Herodotus that Kushites fought in the Achaemenid Persian army, this small contingent will be expanded over time to represent the warriors of Kush in greater numbers, in particular at least one unit of archers.

 

Figures are 28mm Wargames Foundry, based on 20mm circular bases.

 

 



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Early Achaemenid Persian Command Chariot - Based

Finished basing the Command Base for my Early Achaemenid Persian army, this will serve as the Great King until I can get the Warlord Games model. I'll add flock tufts etc. at a later date once I decide how I want this army to look as a whole.

The model is from First Corps Miniatures, who have a nice range of Achaemenid Persians at reasonable prices, with discounted unit deals. Really enjoyed painting this model up, the only small criticism is that I had to chop the front of the drives foot off in order to fit both models into the chariot; all in all a minor observation as it can't be seen on the finished piece.
All in all a nice model, ready to rumble.....

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Another Achaemenid Persian Commander and temple ruins

Another Early Achaemenid Persian Commander, figure is from Wargames Foundry.
I can't remember who I got the temple ruins from, it was an eBay purchase, painted up well and I based on a cut out piece of floor tile (the square self adhesive type), textured with filler and sand and painted up.
Should provide a nice spot for the Greeks to make a last stand!

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Lycian Marines

In assembling my Early Achaemenid Persian army I've tried to look for lots of different figures to represent the diverse nature of this army. Last year I discovered these Persian Lycian Marines by Wargames Foundry, and I had to add them to my forces of the Great King.
They are currently based on 25mm circular bases to be fielded as skirmishers, but I intend to rebase on 20mm to field them as regular light infantry able to be fielded as skirmish or formed.

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