The Peasants Are Revolting and the Vikings aren't much better!

I have been busily painting a few of my (seemingly) never ending 'medieval' stash. This was prompted by my experiments with the new 'speed paints' that I wrote about a few weeks back. As I said then, I was pretty confident that these new paints were very well suited to the more realistic style of sculpting of Peter Cole, than the smooth lines of my hollowcast veterans. As such I wanted to try out some more and here are the results. 

These are wonderful figures, that, as is often the case with Peters work, fill a niche no one else has ever attempted. Yes they would not have been a big seller to me at the age of seven, but at nearly seventy, they appealed immensely and I bought a few packs.  

I have ended up with a nice 'unit' of 12 villagers with various 'close combat weapons', which will no doubt add flavour and quick casualties to a medieval skirmish I am planning. You never know however, they may manage to ambush a weakened unit of archers or suchlike, only time will tell!

One of the figures is armed with a slingshot and after buying multiple bags I found I had three of this smashing chap and wondered how I could use him. It was then I remembered the three Saxon archers I had (from Peters 1066 collection) and thought I would make up a mixed skirmishing unit of six figures. My favourite rules system for this era is probably Lion Rampant and a unit of light skirmishers is composed of six figures. 

Whilst painting these lads and lasses, I also decided to experiment on three more Saxon/Norman figures. I have another two dozen Saxon shield wall poses to paint in due course, which will double as Norse raiders in my games.

Speaking of Norse raiders, I acquired four unpainted castings of Vikings by DSG from an old friend some time ago. I don't really use many Britains detail figures in my armies but I was particularly struck by the shield maiden and was happy to add these characters to my 'Norse' collection. I think they have painted up quite well and they don't seem to be figures you see every day. 

Sadly, I sold all of my Timpo Vikings during a period of my life, when I needed money more than toy soldiers! I hope to never be in that situation again and whilst I don't generally regret selling my Timpo collection, I do miss those Vikings! I might start picking one or two up again if I can find them at a reasonable price.

Whilst in a 'medieval' mood, I also painted the Crescent Robin Hood set up in my usual painting style. I had painted the Sheriff some time ago and Robin and the gang kept looking at me reproachfully whenever I opened their box! Lovely classic figures, all of which have the Kellogg's logo on the base, denoting their origins in packets of corn flakes. Not sure why I have these, (other than they are brilliant figures!) but they now make up the third painted Robin Hood character set in my collection. The others are from Peter Coles Replicants and the best of all time, Herald. My Herald set is still missing Little John who will be on my shopping list for the Plastic Warrior show in July. My Sheriff is mounted on the wrong horse but I am happy with that as the correct horse is fairly rare and consequently expensive. 

On a slight side note, Peters villagers sets also include a modified version of his Alan a Dale figure. The original has our minstrel leaning against a tree stump strumming his instrument. The new version has had his tree stump removed (which sounds jolly painful!) and is now more useable in different scenarios. I painted one of the two copies I ended up with and will dispose of the spare at Plastic Warrior.

Last but not least, I bought a second copy of Peters carter figure which originally accompanied his fantastic medieval tumbrel cart. Sadly the cart proved too difficult to keep in production and there are I believe, less than a dozen or so complete ones in the wild. I am very pleased to own one, but wish I had snapped up two or three! Nonetheless, the carter figure is still being produced and is ideal for leading stubborn mules or other carts and wagons. I might even pick up a third copy if Peter has any for sale at Plastic Warrior. A super figure, which tells a story in its movement and pose. Highly recommended!

A lick of paint ........... Famous Monsters!

Well perhaps famous is stretching it a little, but I remember buying a copy of a black and white 'famous monsters of filmland' magazine in 1965, featuring all of the usual suspects....Dracula, Frankenstein, the Werewolf etc. I have always had a fondness for said 'monsters' and found them again when I ventured into the world of fantasy wargaming in the very early 1980's. My love of Tolkien's work and science fiction and fantasy novels generally, led me to the first edition of Warhammer fantasy battles and a lifelong enjoyment of  non-historical wargaming.

Werewolf 

This is a topic which divides opinion in the general wargaming world but I have happily indulged in all genres and historical periods with no issues whatsoever. I do however feel that my wargaming is now almost two separate hobbies. My 54mm gaming is the primary focus of this blog and has been the dominant force in my gaming for the last 5 years. I don't see that changing as I am still getting excited at the thought of 'projects' which I haven't found time for yet. 

At the same time, I do still indulge in fantasy and sci-fi games in 25mm scale and find it a refreshing change, both from a gaming and a painting  point of view. I find swapping scales occasionally a good 'palate cleanser'  and I have been doing just that amongst the medieval painting shown above.

Goblin and Wolves

I have been sorting out my 'pre slotta' lead fantasy figures and couldn't resist painting a few before putting them away. I thought I would show what I have painted as most have been further experiments with the speed paints, combined with some more traditional techniques. 

Angelic Hero

I am conscious that a few of my regular readers are not particularly interested in this side of my gaming. This has led to me giving serious consideration to starting a second blog, devoted to my exploits with my 25mm fantasy and sci-fi . I have not made a firm decision yet but would be interested to hear your views. In the meantime here are a few more pictures of my efforts. 

Ent

Fire Daemon

Were Creature 

Trio

Frost Giant

Hydra

Well that's it for this update. I hope to share some progress with my 'Viet Taff' soon. Its very early days but my 'Free Welsh Volunteers' are beginning to take shape in my mind, even if they don't exist as painted models yet. 

Tara a bit!