18th Century North American Indians

These are the finished 28mm North American Indians from Perry Miniatures (pack AW32 Warriors skirmishing with bows). My particular favourite is the running figure, so I've included a few more shots of that miniature, (nothing to do with my painting, just love the pose).

These are initially allies for my AWI British, but will serve as foes/allies for my French and British in the FIW.

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Early Achaemenid Persian Sparabara - Unit 2

This is the second of the initial 4 units of Sparabara that I will be fielding. The figures are again 28mm front rank from Crusader Miniatures, and rear rank archers Miniature Design Studios.

I feel the big challenge with painting up an Early Achaemenid Persian army is lots of variety in the colour scheme. I'm hoping once it's all on the table I get the feeling that it represents the diverse nature of the Persian Empire. There are many troop types I intend to include in the collection that I haven't bought the figures for yet, namely the Indian contingent, and some Egyptian Marines.

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Early Achaemenid Persian Slingers

The first unit of Early Achaemenid Persian slingers. These are 28mm figures from First Corps Miniatures, I have another 8 to add at some point. These were nice clean castings and paint up easily.

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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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