Sunday, April 26, 2015

Series 77 Greek Hoplite

Here is another figure which my fellow Hawaiian expat, James (Kimo) had unpainted for a few decades. I picked it up yesterday when I dropped off the Poniatowski figure. Jim has mass quantities of unpainted lead - from 15mm to this 77mm (approx.) figure. It looked so cool sitting on the shelf that I told Jim I'd like to paint it up for him - to which he agreed. So here he is after simple block painting and staining with Minwax - and highlighted over a Testors Dullcote finish.
Series 77 was a leading military miniatures company back in the day. Although by today's standards, it lacks some of the more intricate details of modern sculpts - they have a charm all their own. The two-tier base was/is a trademark of the line. I'll let Jim finish the base - as well as adding the sword and scabbard which he couldn't find yesterday.
The helmet is of the type called (by modern-day historians) Chalcidian. It is similar in appearance to the fully enclosed Corinthian type, but with separate check pieces. The shield is the Boeotian type with cut-outs at each side.
The picture below shows the figure amongst a couple of 120mm resin figures, as well as a 100mm Spartan to which I added extra limb and groin armor; a 28mm 1st Corps Hoplite is also placed next to them for scale reference.
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24 comments:

  1. Doc SmithApril 26, 2015 at 4:51 PM

    Nice figure Dean - how nice is it to paint larger scale stuff? Provides a real challenge and a welcome change from 28mm - you can really go to town with your technique. Your shading in particular really stands out on the larger figures. Nice job indeed.
    Cheers, Doc

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    1. DeanMApril 26, 2015 at 5:14 PM

      Mahalo, Doc! Appreciate the kind comments. These older metal ("lead") sculpts hold a nostalgia for me that makes them really enjoyable to paint. Aloha, Dean

      Delete
  2. Paul WApril 26, 2015 at 5:57 PM

    Beautiful work Dean! There's really no where to hide on these larger figures, but you've certainly done it justice :-)

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    1. DeanMApril 26, 2015 at 6:06 PM

      Thanks, Paul. Appreciate your kind words. The painting is more for overall effect than precision. Warm regards, Dean

      Delete
  3. Jonathan FreitagApril 26, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    Very nice work! I especially like the muscle definition wrought by the stain.

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    1. DeanMApril 26, 2015 at 6:38 PM

      Thanks, Jonathan. I went over the stain with a bit of Vallejo ink wash to soften the darker stain. Also highlighted it, but the staining helped define the muscles. Regards, Dean

      Delete
  4. HobbyworkerApril 26, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    Stunning paint job Dean!

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    1. DeanMApril 27, 2015 at 6:12 AM

      Thank you very much; appreciate the visit and great comments. Best, Dean

      Delete
  5. CyrusApril 26, 2015 at 9:47 PM

    Great painting on the hoplite Dean, I have a Series 77 Roman figure from back in the day!

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    1. DeanMApril 27, 2015 at 6:14 AM

      Thanks, Mike. A classic range - the Roman figures not the least. Best, Dean

      Delete
  6. Black PowderApril 27, 2015 at 2:19 AM

    A very impressive result just using block painting and minwax. The 77 range is really nice - imagine what this size of metal miniature would cost to produce/purchase today... No wonder many have shifted to resin for the large scales.

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    1. DeanMApril 27, 2015 at 6:16 AM

      Thanks for the great comment, Soren. Resins are nice, but the heft and mass of lead still impresses :) Regards, Dean

      Delete
  7. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)April 27, 2015 at 2:21 AM

    Very well done Dean!

    Christopher

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    1. DeanMApril 27, 2015 at 6:16 AM

      Thanks again, Christopher! Warm regards, Dean

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  8. PhilApril 27, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    Nice job Dean!

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    1. DeanMApril 27, 2015 at 6:17 AM

      Thank you, Phil. He was another nice break from wargaming figures, but I think I will turn my attention back to 28's right now. Best, Dean

      Delete
  9. PrufrockApril 27, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    Great work Dean!

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  10. maximexApril 27, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    Hi.
    Good work and a magnificent collection.
    Why Hoplite looks much "better" than the Roman soldier
    :)
    I like blue-white colors

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    1. DeanMApril 27, 2015 at 12:47 PM

      Thanks, MM! Lol! About the Roman Soldiers; it might be because they are so overly represented, including Hollywood versions. Warm Regards,

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  11. Jason MeyersApril 27, 2015 at 8:46 PM

    Wonderful job, these figs must be a nice change of pace.

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    1. DeanMApril 28, 2015 at 6:10 AM

      Thank you, Jason. A nice diversion sometimes - especially when the figures have been around for too long unpainted or otherwise neglected. I just don't like seeing nice figures unpainted - even if they aren't mine :) Warm regards, Dean

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  12. Sam WiseApril 28, 2015 at 2:33 PM

    Beautiful work !

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    1. DeanMApril 28, 2015 at 3:42 PM

      Appreciate the visit and nice comment, Sam! Best, Dean

      Delete

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