Nubians

Some Nubians to help (or perhaps hinder) my New Kingdom Egyptians.

These guys came from the area south of Egypt, and supplied large quantities of archers to assist New Kingdom Egyptian armies. Pictured are some archers, a warband and also a "king" and his bodyguard.

Note that the "king" is accompanied by a donkey. (The middle photograph, the guy with the gold "feather" on his head, next to the guy beating the drum).

In this era, it was not unusual for monarchs, or warlords who wanted to be monarchs, of poorer nations (that couldn't afford horses) to ride into battle on a donkey.

Early Indian Army Finished - Ready For Battle!

Well, I might add some more elephants later.

But aside from that, it's all ready to go. I started painting this lot four years ago. I got the elephants and the horsemen (not the chariot though) done back then, but it's only been the last couple of months that I got stuck into the rest of the army.

These guys are intended for ancient warfare, especially against the Archaemenid Persians, Alexander "The Great" and his successors. But because there were no real changes in the Indian army, they can be used right through to Medieval times. They can mayvbe even go up against the Mongols of Genghis and Kublai Khan at a pinch.

So lots of battles in prospect for these chaps. Now I just have to find the time to fight them!

By the way, I'd hate to be one of the guys standing opposite those elephants as they come lumbering across the battle field at me. See earlier posts on this blog for some close-up shots of the different soldiers.

Mitanni General and Bodyguard

Figures by Cesar, buildings by Hovels, all bought through Michigan Toy Soldiers.

Cesar's Mitanni chariots were very easy to assemble, and I'm going to be getting more of these.

(Cesar's early Egyptian chariots also seem great to work with - still early days yet - although I don't know if they're big enough to accomodate three figures!)

I'm planning a nice big campaign from this era for early in 2012. Still lots of work to do, but I'm hoping I'll be able to post a nice illustrated narrative of the campaign as it unfolds on this site (which is actually one of the main reasons I initially set this blog up - I just haven't got around to doing it yet!)

Japanese Village - Progress Report

As you can see from the missing wall sections to the right of the photo, my Japanese village isn't quite finished yet.

I am very happy with the way it is turning out though. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing my Japanese Sengoku Jidai armies battling it out over this particular prize!

This was a very productive weekend. I got several more infantry units for my Early Indiana army completed, and should have that finished (cross fingers) next weekend. Photos to follow as soon as I can.

I finished painting my Mitanni Commanding General and his bodyguard, and also a couple of the Middle Eastern buildings that will form villages for a whole bunch of eras worth of battles in that part of the world. (Photos to follow later this evening).

Also, I made a start on the New Kingdom Egyptian chariots by Cesar that I've had sitting, waiting to paint, for a solid couple of years now. Hopefully I'll have a 6-strong squad of those ready by the end of next weekend also.

It's all going very well. I CAN have very productive weekends when I don't have to spend a huge chunk of the time working!

Indian Army General

Just adding some pics of the commanding general of my Early Indian army, and his "Maiden Guard" bodyguard - yep, an elite band of fighting women!

Indian women seem to have played a more proactive role in "defending their homelands" than most of their western counterparts in this era, and Hat included a female guardsperson in their models, so I had to include their unit!

My Indian army is taking shape - not so slowly at the moment. I just hope I can keep this pace up throughout the month and get the whole army finished!

Early Indian Army

I really didn't intend to spend this month working on my Early Indian army, but that's the way it is turning out.

I bought all the figures four years ago of course, and painted the elephants and the horsemen, but was having problems with the paint taking ages - and I do mean ages, in that it was still sticky several months after being applied - to dry on the figures, for which I blamed the "new" plastic that was used for the figures, so didn't press on with the rest.

For the most part, time seems to have cured the problem - the figures now only take a couple of days to dry! So I've been pushing ahead with the rest of it. Still lots to do before the full army is assembled, but these shots show off most of the basic units.

I'll post the full army (famous last words!) later in the month.

Collector's Show and Other Bits

My Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth army attracted some interest at this year's collector's show, especially from a local family of Polish lineage. Thanks to my co-worker from the News-Banner, Barb Barbieri, taking the photo I was able to be included in the shot.

While I haven't posted much over the past couple of weeks, I have been busy.

I have now finished (?) my regiment of Russian Dragoons from Peter "The Great's" army - just need to take some pics now to post here!

I'm also finally (after four!!! years) getting around to painting the infantry for my early Indian army. I've had the elephants and a couple of horse units waiting all this time for the rest of the army, and they were getting a little restless. I also now have a Commanding General riding in his chariot, to lead it, and am planning their first battle - against my Achaemenid Persians, for the new year.

Once again, I just need to get busy with my camera!

Photos hopefully will follow shortly!