Thursday, July 23, 2020

Victrix Armoured Gallic Warriors w/Shields, Finally

Looking at my blog history - the figures here were completed back in May, but the LBMS transfers only just arrived yesterday to complete them. I ordered the transfers when I started on the figures, and they were supposedly mailed out on the 11th of May. Realizing how Covid had dramatically slowed shipping, especially from overseas, I waited until early July before contacting Victrix about the transfers not arriving. Rory at Victirx kindly offered to send a replacement set and they arrived in about a week and a half (yesterday).
The Gallic Warriors set comes with 30 figures, but I chose not to use the 6 in linothorax cuirass - thinking they may look a bit too old-fashioned for 1st C. The remaining 24 are broken down into two 12-man "elite" warbands. The Victrix shields are slightly larger than the ones from Warlord Games. I filed down the edges to make them thinner and appear a bit smaller - not sure if it was worth the effort, but it wasn't difficult.
There are now 6 warbands - 4 with Warlord Games figures in 18-man units, and now the 2 smaller 12-man "elite" units with Victrix figures. This should be enough foot for 2 to 3 Hail Caesar "divisions" along with cavalry, chariots and skirmishers. On my normal 6 x 7.5' gaming area (3 x Costco folding tables), units these sizes seemed to work well.

Thanks again for dropping by and wishing you all good health and happy gaming and painting.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Victrix Polish Lancers

Finally got around to painting these up. Interestingly, I had ordered these well before the EIR and Celts I recently worked on. In fact, I order the EIR mainly because I got a discount coupon from Victrix when these Polish Lancers were delayed due to the Covid stuff. Funny how one can get side tracked into other projects.
It's a 12 figure set, but only I use 8-man units for standard sized cavalry units in Black Powder. On my usual 5 x 8' table, slightly smaller units allow for more maneuvering...and the units paint up quicker too!
Victrix are a little more specific with their multi-parts than Perry. That is, most of the left arms are unique to each figure. The right arms are interchangeable - including sword options.
The horses are really nicely sculpted, and the trumpeter's and officer's have very lively poses.
Below is a gratuitous photo with a Verlinden 120mm resin figure painted many years ago.
I may paint up the remaining 4 figures in either campaign dress or as another unit, possibly Lancers of Berg. Until next time, best wishes to all of you and happy gaming and painting endeavors!

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Victrix Celtic Chariots Featuring Boudica

Here are the 3 chariots from the set - which includes parts for two variants of the chariot (side panels), and also two variants for the drivers.
The set comes with three chariot sprues - with the two variants mentioned and also one each figures of Boudica and a wizard...er...I mean a Druid dude with head on a spear, etc. I'll be working on him later. It also comes with a sprue from the Armoured Warriors set.
In fact, I used two of the previously painted figures from the Armoured Warriors set - since I haven't based them yet as I'm still waiting for their shield transfers. It actually worked out nicely as I used metal shields from the Warlord Games Ancient Britons set.
The chariots themselves go together very easily - only a few parts. The drivers' hands are separate from their forearms - with the hands holding a length of reins. The two drivers on the left need to have their arms positioned with the reins aligned properly prior to gluing them to the shoulders. The driver on the right has his arms molded onto the body, so easier to line up his hand and reins.  Even the instructions say the build is "slightly complex." Still, it wasn't too difficult, and the end result looks nice.
Thanks for visiting, and wishing you all good health and happy hobby endeavors!

Monday, July 6, 2020

Victrix EIR Command Stands And The Army To Date

Apologies for back to back posts - I probably should've waited until the the command stands were done, but wasn't sure when, or if, I would've gotten around to them. In any case, I did get them done using the previously painted mounted "generals" along with a few spare foot figures. Also added shields to the standard bearers.
The officer on the rearing white horse is flanked by a Praetorian eagle bearer and signifer. The mounted centurion has a legionary signifer and the other officer has a legionary from Legio II Augusta.
I may add another command stand using the other figures from the Mounted Generals spure - three left.
Below is the EIR army to date. A detachment (or two) of Praetorians, four units of Legionaries (12-man units), two units of Auxiliaries (also 12-man units), and two units of cavalry (8-men each). Plan to use them with Hail Caesar, but could be used for other rules as the Legionaries and cavalry are individually based.
Taking a break from EIR's for now and need to finish up the Celtic Chariots - and maybe someday get started on the Polish Lancers. Thanks again for dropping by and wishing you all good health and hobby endeavors!

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Victrix EIR Legionaries - Ready for Action Against Celts...

...or Germans, or Dacians, or any other unwashed barbarian hordes that may need subjugating. These are the figures from the Advancing and Attacking sets, as well as 16 additional Attacking figures my buddy kindly donated to me. They're individually based on 20mm Litko rounds and mounted on 6-figure movement trays. The 6 figures that aren't based yet may be used for command stands. The first unit is a 12-man detachment of Praetorians; behind them is Legio II Augusta; and in the rear Legio VI Victrix. Shield and standard decals are from Battle Flag.
Below are the recently painted figures from the Advancing and Attacking sets - 50 total.
Still waiting on the LBMS transfers for the Armoured Gallic set - also need to get back to the Celtic Chariots - or maybe get started on the Polish Lancers. May need work on some Napoleonics for a change up again. Thank you very much for stopping by and wishing you good health and happy hobby pursuits.

Friday, July 3, 2020

Victrix EIR Legionaries - WIP +1

Rank and file are done - just need to add their shields. Standards and musicians need their animal skins worked on. Started with a black base coat, followed by dry-brushing the metal areas, then the flesh wash painted. Minimal colors used as the previous 16 Legionaries. Ink washes were applied over the block painting and then highlighted.
Along with the previous 16, they'll be in two 24-man Legionary units and a smaller detachment of Praetorians (the guys with white crested helmets).
Above image shows them prior to the staining and highlighting. No figures were "injured" by Minwax in the process - just Vallejo ink/stain.

Thanks for stopping by this brief update. Wishing you all the very best in health and hobby happiness.