28mm Landschneckts

What! Another period I hear the bewildered cries going up...

Block of twenty Landschneckts, ready to serve English or Scots overlords

But no, not a new period, rather an extension of an existing period that I have been building armies in for the last couple years. In my research of the Scots & English Armies in the 1500s, I was reading Osprey's lovely Scottish Renaissance Armies 1513-1559, Men-at-Arms book. Imagine my surprise when I found that both the English and Scottish were regularly using German, Spanish & Italian mercenaries to bolster their forces at home.

Another view, from the left

Fortuitously, I happened to have some sprues of Warlord Games Landschneckt Pikeman at hand and I started to build some to see if I could do the figures justice. I must admit that I was somewhat nervous of taking on such a mini project - largely due to their extravagant dress sense - and the fact that the last time I did an Landschneckt Army as about 30 years ago in 15mm. It nearly killed me!

Final view of the bock from the other side!

So these figures were actually a joy to build and paint. That said I split the unit into two groups, first a batch of eight figures and then a second batch of twelve figures

The first batch of eight figures that I painted and was pleased with so...

... I did a second batch of twelve.

Simply add a random head to a torso, add arms and then a sword and the figure as pretty much built. I opted to arm a couple of the figures with Halberds, as the pike arms were missing and I had suitable arms available from the Wargames Atlantic Conquistador kit.

The models by rank to give a better view

Figures were undercoated in white before being 'dressed' with various random-ish colour combinations. For most figures I did not try to do all the slashes and contrasting lining colours but instead relied on ink washes to give those highlights and lowlights. Instead I concentrated on interesting colour combinations on the stripes and the various combinations of leggings and sleeves.

Second rank, some heads from Wargames Atlantic

Once completed the hands and faces were washed in sepia ink to give a arm flesh shade and then the clothed areas were washed with watered down Army Painter Dark Tone inks. All figures were based on 20mm round bases, to allow the figures to take a 'close order' formation, I'll also be looking at getting some movement trays to make the whole movement thing easier!

And more to give a good overview. Those that were not armoured were given
leather 'Jacks' to wear to help give some consistency to the unit.

Next is to source a few figures to do some command figures,  drummer, officer and a couple standard bearers, with the aim of taking the unit up to 24 or 25 figures.

Front Rank with two Halberdiers on each flank. Halberds from Wargames Atlantic

More 28mm Elizabethans

Here is my second batch of Wargames Atlantic Elizabethans, six of these little chaps are straight out of the packet, whilst the other four have been constructed using the spare parts from the WA kit and mashed together with Warlord Games plastic ECW figures to give some additional figures that can be used.

The completed batch of ten new figures

If you look carefully you should be able to figure out which ones are originals and which ones are conversions.

Two, two-handed swordsmen! Left is built using Warlord Games ECW torso, right is 100% Wargames Atlantic

To paint these guys, I undercoated in white and then for most the figures I used a linen colour to represent undyed materials making up shirts, hose or jacks. A few brighter colours were then added, sparingly, to brighten up the figures - such as hats, pants and hose - before applying either gunmetal for armour or a buff colour for leather.

Two sword & buckler men, both 100% WA figures,
although I have sapped in bucklers from other WA kits.

I used a sepia wash to add highlighting to the skin areas and a light brown ink on some of the shoes and bags, before applying a home made 'paynes grey' wash on all metal work to simulate bluing of the metal. A thinned down dark tone was used to shade most other colours.

A growing group of pikemen, unarmoured figures are Warlord Games mash-ups,
whilst outer, armoured figures are WA.

Overall a nice, simple group to add to the expanding Elizabethan collections

Finally two musketeers, left is 100% WA, right is based upon a Warlord Games ECW torso.

AHPC XI, Mike W - 28mm Border Ruffians

A quick batch of 11 x 28mm Elizabethan Border Ruffians, I found these lurking in the 'to do' pile and after doing the Irish last week it seemed a natural progression to get these guys completed as well.

Finished group of figures

I believe that these figures are from the Reiver 'Flodden' range, so arguably a little early for the core Border Reiver period, however I'll use them as low status garrison troops or town guards etc.

Halberds at the ready

All of them are in leather jacks, with various degrees of chain mail and helmets present to give additional protection. All are in some kind of 'hose' rather than trousers - which seems to be the give away regarding exact period that they are from, however a number are also in riding boots and a couple are in bonnets that give them the Border Ruffian look and feel.

Some grim agricultural tools in use

As ever, I undercoated these in white and then allied various layers of paint to build up the base colours before using ink washes to highlight and shade as needed.

Guys with Bills

The weapons that they carry look pretty grim, a number of Halberds / Bills plus some pretty fierce looking agricultural tools converted to military use!

Two more of the little guys

All sealed with matt varnish and a fine sand and electrostatic grass finish to the bases

More agricultural weapons and a spear

Even more Border Ruffians

 Friday's game spurred me on to finish the latest batch of figures for this project. Again sourced from eBay and a mixed bag of foot and horse, these being the foot figures, the mounted ones will be done at a separate time in the near future.

First off is a group of three command figures, a captain and two sergeants. All are wearing armoured breastplates, with the Captain in fancy hose and ruff. One sergeant carries a long spear whilst the other has a Bill alongside his trusty sword.

Left Captain, with two sergeants.

I'm minded to use the two sergeant figures as dog handlers, so that the war dogs at the end of the last post can come into play... 

Five Ruffians armed with Calivars, wearing assorted armour, helmets and jacks

Five Livery Men, all with Calivars in green coats, trimmed red

Finally two Bill men, each armed with a really pointy stick!

Border Ruffians - Our First Game

Friday 23rd October saw us play our first Border Reiver skirmish game played at Mike N's place. Figures were from John's collection and the rules were an adaptation of the 'One Hour Skirmish Wargames' set by John Lambshead.

The scenario was as below, supplied by John, as the first in a series of linked games.

The game was fast paced and enjoyable, with Mike N & Nigel forming th e'Nixon' side and Mike W & Dave forming the 'Armstrong' side.

After both side having difficulties controlling their broken men but once they were brought into control, the Nixon's archers were able to pour fire down on the Armstrongs as they herded their booty towards the table edge.

Gradually the fire told and the Armstongs were whittled down, Sandie Armstrong charged an exposed group of Nixon men, killing two in combat before he too fell to the arrows and the Armstrong side's morale broke.

Armstrong rider with horse, mule and booty

Two Armstrong riders with flock of sheep

An Armstrong leader in the ruined castle

Another view of Horse & Mule

Nixon men cross the river to engage with the Armstrongs

Nixon men approaching the Armstrong positions

Too late for the game, here are a group of eight war hounds that will be available for future games, especially involving the 'Hot Trod'. Figures from Wargames Atlantic Irish Warriors.

 

Second Posting in a Week - 28mm Normal Crossbowmen and Menacing Ruffians

So after moaning n Monday that I had taken ages to complete the last batch of figures, I had a 'window of opportunity' to paint-up two batches of eight figures. First batch was of Norman Crossbowmen, the second being Gripping Beast's new 'Hexenjager' models that will be used as some very creepy and scary Border Ruffians.

As usual, I sourced the Norman figures from eBay and I believe that they are Conquest Games figures but not 100% certain!

Right Hand view of four Crossbowmen firing

There are two basic poses for the firing figures, one in a padded leather or cloth jacket and one in woollen tunics. Both figures come with separate crossbows, both are nicely sculpted and very easy to paint.

Left Hand view of four Crossbowmen firing

Again, there are two basic poses for the re-loading figures, and again one in a padded leather or cloth jacket and one in woollen tunics. One figures come with separate crossbow, the other where the figure is using his foot to stretch the crossbow string, has the weapon moulded onto the figure. Again both are nicely sculpted.

Left Hand view of four Crossbowmen re-loading

Right Hand view of four Crossbowmen re-loading

Figures were undercoated in an off-white and then painted with acrylic paints, varnished using Army Painter Dark Tone Dip and then coated with Widsor and Newton Matt Varnish.

The next batch were Gripping Beast's 'Hexenjager' band which will be used as Border Rievers working for one or other of the main flavours of church to be found in the region during this period!

As can be seen, these little chaps have something of the night about them and each is sporting a fiery torch to cleanse the non-conformists.

A very scary band of Border Ruffians

And another view...

Two of the Gripping Beast characters, one wearing a mask typical of the time,
the other sporting the Bishop's Purple Sash.

Two more figures, on the left a hairy Ruffian in skillet helmet,
on the right an older guy in leather cap.

Another two characters, ion the left wearing a buff leather jerkin,
on the right wearing some old chainmail.

The final two guys, both with pistols tucked into their Purple sashes,
each wearing breastplates and helmets

Painting was addressed in the same way as the Normans above, the flames in the torches was layered white, yellow, orange, red to give a flame effect, a wash of light brown ink and a light dry brush of black to suggest soot and smoke...

That's all for now, the Campaign beckons again so it may be a few weeks before I get time to paint again!

Border Artillery and more...

Its been a while since my last Border Ruffian Post, these guys have been floundering on my workbench for a couple of weeks, waiting for me to have the time to complete them.

So what we have in this post are some Foundry Elizabethans I sourced from eBay plus a gun, crew and various foot men I got from Dixon Miniatures to see how compatible they would be both in dress and style as well as size and sculpt with the Foundry guys.

First up is the gun and crew from Dixon Miniatures, from their Flodden Range. Flodden is a little early for the peak Border Reiver era as it was fought in 1513 and as such was fought during the reign of Henry VIII, albeit he was off gallivanting in France at the time.

Light Field Gun with two crew

Business end of the gun!

And a final view of the other side of the gun and crew.

I left the gun carriage as natural wood, with all metal work painted black to avoid rust. The model was washed with a watered down Army Painter Dark Tone wash.

The crew were two very nice models based, separately from the gun but able to be placed upon the gun's base during games. Dress wise, I think these will get away with being placed in the later Elizabethan period, although their leggings might 'age' them somewhat.

Two halbardiers, ready to receive attacking horse.

The two halbardiers, were again nice figures to paint, one with thigh high leather riding boots and a steel helmet whilst the other is bareheaded and in a quilted jacket and knee length boots. Both these figures can be used OK for Elizabethan period, the helmet style is somewhat early but can be argued to be a family hand me down for the later period

Three pike men again ready to receive...

The three pike men are from lower stock, each wearing a nicely moulded leather jack, two with steel helmets and one with a soft cap. Again I think it is the leggings that might be a little suspect in the Elizabethan period but I will take other's views on this.

Final Dixon's figures - two Highlanders

And here are two Dixon Highlanders who are dressed and styled in a manner compatible with other figures of the Elizabethan period.

The big (forgive the pun!) issue with all the Dixon's figures is that whilst fantastic figures in themselves they are sculpted in a very different style to the rest of the collection. Although retailed as 28mm figures, they are, in my opinion re-badged 25mm figures, and are noticeably shorter than other Borderers in my collection.

That and the difference in anatomical style makes the two sets of figures very different, Dixon's figures are much more anatomically proportioned, whilst the Foundry figures are much more chunky. See the picture below...

Left a Foundry Calivar Man, Right Dixon's Highlander

... That said, some figures will fit in better than others.

Two Calivar men

So the two Calivar men were both from Foundry, one from the Garrison range and one from the Sea Dogs range, both painted up nicely.

Four Halbardiers from Foundry and a Warlords Games plastic Pike Bill men 

A selection of Halbadiers plus a Warlords Plastic pike man that has already been converted (since this photo) to a bill man. The Warlords Games figure has a Gripping Beast head from an the Dark Ages archers box added to the basic figure to give it a less Civil War look.

Halibardier & Drummer from Foundry

And finally (really this time) a Sea Dog with a Halibard and a Drummer, both nice foundry models.

Next up on the painting Workbench 7 x Norman Crossbow men and 8 x Fanatics for the Borders - nocturnal raiders armed with the cross, flame and an inappropriate amount of religious bigotry!