Thursday, December 13, 2012

T.A.G. Song Cavalry

Still need to add a banner to the guy with the trident - also looking for an appropriate figure to round the unit to 10.
Addendum - based on a movement tray with a Korean officer added to the rear rank; also a modified Perry Choson flag - a tail was added.
I plan to use these as Ming allies for the Choson Korean WAB army. I did a little internet research for these guys and noticed most illustrations of Chinese metal armor from this period is shown to be iron or steel. I would’ve thought they’d use bronze, but it appears the Chinese moved away from bronze quite early on – at least for the most part.
As this unit is supposed to represent Song Dynasty troops, they are a bit anachronistically armored. By the time of the Song, most armor was brigandine, or coats of plates, types very similar to what the Koreans wore – or vice versa. However, I wanted a contrast for the Chinese, so figured the exposed metal armor would make them look more foreign or exotic, as allies should.
Possibly the more elite Song units may have retained this type of armor, but I’m not sure if any of these types of troops were deployed in the Imjin War. This unit should complete the Choson Korean WAB army. I would like to add a unit of unarmored Choson Korean mounted archers, if the Perrys would ever make them.
The next image is a period painting of Ming cavalry - they are heavily armored and the helmets are similar to the ones worn by the Song cavalry above. The horses lack any armor or barding though. Granted the dynasties typically ran through several centuries, so some overlap in appearance would be plausible.
The T.A.G. figures strongly resemble the cavalry illustrated below in a Song Dynasty manuscript.

23 comments:

  1. Nice work Dean, really like the colour scheme & treatment of the armour. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the Perrys to release the archers you need, they seem committed to other ranges for the foreseeable future. It might be worth looking at Curteys miniatures to see if they do anything suitable.
    All the best.
    HGA.

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  2. Thanks for the kind words, HGA. Right about the Perrys long since moving on to other ranges. Best, Dean

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  3. Great Unit love the vivid colors. This will be a stunning looking army when on the table top.
    Peace James

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  4. These look fantastic what an amazing group of figures

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  5. Great job Dean. I have to paint them too. And i already painted only one ! : (

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  6. WOW! These guys are looking splendid! Quite stunning!

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  7. A splendid looking unit and together with the horses they are quite an unusual sight.

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  8. They look great a what a wonderful way to complete a super collection!

    Christopher

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  9. Really beautiful addition to your Koreans. I quite like the way you highlight the red clothes with bright an orange-yellow, it makes the fabric looks precious.

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  10. Howzit Dean - those cavalry really look the business! Another beautiful job - you should photo your assembled army or will we away their debut on the game table? ;-)

    Cheers,
    Doc

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  11. Thanks again everyone for you kind words - These guys certainly do add more color to the Korean army - I will definitely take an Army group-photo. Along with the Korean cavalry and commanders, these should contrast interestingly with the plain clothed infantry (whites and blacks). Happy Holidays to you all, Dean

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  12. Quite a beautiful cherry to top off your army with! Looks like this unit was really fun to paint up. Great job Dean.

    Jason

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  13. Thanks, Jason. Yes, it was a fairly straight-forward paint job, once I figured out what was what. The only painted example I found was on their website, and that one had the armor painted red (which was also common). Soon as I attach a banner to the standard, as maybe find a suitable leader figure, I'll take a photo with the rest of Changun's Choson army. Warm Regards, Dean

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  14. Very neat Dean. They look lovely.

    Cheers,

    Helen

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  15. AL & Helen: Thanks for the kind words. Wishing you all Happy Holidays, Dean

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  16. Fabulous figures Dean. Superb paintwork.

    Best wishes,

    Jason

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  17. They look terrifying. I wouldn't want to take their charge.

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  18. Excellent painted unit Sean! Love the colours and te armor!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.be/

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  19. Thanks for the kind words, James & Peter.

    James: Beware of the metallic maracas :)!

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  20. Just catching up with your work. Awesome cav figures!

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