Accidental Cataphracts

 

The Accidental Cataphracts 

When I began to pick up vintage wargames figures I was mostly thinking of finishing off some of my existing armies - expanding the odd unit - painting up some of those figures that had languished in old Golden Virginia tins for forty-odd years. You know the sort of thing. Because I didn't really know much about the later Minifgs ranges a few things were bought from the later - post 1978 - range. These cataphracts were one of those accidental purchases  - bare metal castings - six figures - just about enough for a small unit. 

Minifigs went to open hands rather than cast on spears at some point in the 80's, and these figures came with open hands. No decision there then! A set of lances were duly made up from brass rod.

It turned out every horse was a miscast - with the same corner of the armoured apron not formed. Poo! Greenstuff was deployed to rectify the defect. More Greenstuff was used to fill between rider and horse, which was a bit gappy (technical term that). 

What I'll call the '78' range saw the old 72/73 PB Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars figures replaced with a set of updated designs - larger and chunkier all round, although still described as '25mm'. 

The new range was also coded 'PB' and replaced the previous range code for code - with additional codes created to expand the range in various useful ways. For example, the Greek Mercenary Hoplite was now supplemented by a number of figures in different poses and wargear. 

The new PB range was announced in the January 78 edition of Military Modelling with the usual full-page Minifigs advert. A photo spread appeared in the March advert along with news of the revised catalogue to be available in April. 

The 78 catalogue reverted to a traditional format, abandoning the loose-leaf style of the 75 catalogue. I always thought this was a shame - as having a catalogue you could add too as required seemed like a good idea to me. You have to wonder whether keeping tabs on stock and re-prints didn't prove a bit too much. Anyhow - out with the old and in with the... er even older really as it was a return to the format of the 72/73 catalogue. 

I shall at some point scan and upload the entire 78 catalogue, but for now we can but admire the cover - familiar to many an old hand no doubt. When this catalogue was updated Minifigs simply changed the colour of the title - I have a slightly later orange one and rumours abound of a green version. 

The new range is announced!

Photos... we have the technology!
My chaps 2nd on bottom row 

I have a few other units from the 78 range picked up before I decided to concentrate on recreating and expanding the armies from the earlier catalogue. The later PB range does include some nice figures, and they are not necessarily all that much larger than their predecessors. The biggest difference is that shields are generally cast separately, which must have overcome some of the moulding and distortion problems that bedevil some of the earlier versions. 

The 78 catalogue cover
in all its glory