Converted Wars of the Roses Welsh Spearman

Just a quick post to show some recent work putting together a Welsh spearman for WOTR.  The Perry WOTR  / European Mercenaries boxed sets are brilliant for most later 15th century West / North European troops, but for aesthetic reasons, I though it might be nice to show a slightly more old-fashioned look to some of the troops from out in the sticks;

Firstly, this is not intended as an insult to any 15th century Welshmen reading this post.  I'm from the North East of England, and intend using the same approach for 'Northern' spearmen / borderers (where / when I need them).  The intention is to give the models a 'militia' look to distinguish them from better-heeled 'household' troops.

To this end, the colour palette is more muted - brown / green vegetable colours for the hose and tunic.  A spare Warlord Games bare head completes the 'I've got no armour' look.  A spare Fireforge spear was chosen as the main weapon, as spears were easy / cheap to produce or acquire.  I've added one of the bucklers (temporary hold using blu-tack) to show he's a little old-fashioned, and still taking to the field with a shield.  I'll also be trying him out with a spare Roman cavalry shield (approx 10mm dia) and a modified spare Viking shield, to see which best pleases the eye.

As a unit, they'll probably mostly get spears, with maybe a scythe or pitchfork added for interest.  A few bare heads, and the rest in hats with maybe one or two token models in kettle hats, inherited from grandfathers who fought in earlier wars.

WW2 Western Desert Commission update

Recent commission work to put together Western Desert forces for both Germans / Empire.  These shots show the almost complete Blitzkreig Miniatures Grant tank (superb model in every way, hopefully I've done it justice);

The right hand track / wheels are still to be painted, and I have some additional stowage to add before a light dusting of desert over the top.  Crew figure is modified Perry plastic radio operator.

The next shots are the excellent Warlord Games Bolt Action German half-track sdkfz251.  Kit went together brilliantly, though I (personally) didn't care for the crewman, so he's been replaced with a spare Perry MG34 gunner.  This also means the vehicle will 'fit' better with the forthcoming DAK 'zug' or platoon which are currently on the bench;

Transfers for both vehicles were stolen from an assortment of 1/48 kits I've built over the last few months.  Now that I've seen 1/56 vehicles next to Perry Miniatures figures, I've decided to sell-off the 1/48 and replace with 1/56.  Two reasons; the 1/56 choice is better (including more of the early war stuff I like), and the 1/48 just look too large next to the smaller / slighter / more realistically-proportioned Perry guys.

Finally, some shots of a four-man MG34 team - gain, Perry (this time in metal);

20mm Britannia Miniatures WW2 British Airborne

Britannia Miniatures were superb to deal with - everything arrived very quickly, and even though I was only ordering two guns and crews, I was sent a free command unit without even asking!  Handwritten accompanying letter too - great customer service.

No pictures of the guns yet, will post later.  This photo shows one gun crew, plus the command unit of officer and radio op.  Hopefully his radio will work better than the ones used during Operation Market Garden.

Louis XI Italian Wars Swiss handgunners and French archers

More of a growing Louis XI / Second Italian Wars army - a unit of French archers (some with Perry renaissance heads); and a unit of Swiss handgunners (all using Renaissance metal heads);

Wars of the Roses Commission update - massed hordes!

The first two 'battles' almost complete - on temporary bases and awaiting their badges.  This isn't quite all of them - after ranking them up for their photo shoot, I found another 14 archers still on the tray... and there are six more 'battles', of similar size, plus foot knights, militia... facing this lot will make most opponents go home, I think.

Crusaders commission update

Just the base treatment needed now, and these are ready to go;

Landsknechts commission complete

A few shots of the Landsknechts before they get packaged for their journey (base edging still required);