Dave's Persians

 

Dave's Persians... not quite all but enough for now! 

A while back... well it must have been twenty years ago or more... I was given this Persian army by Dave Gallagher. Dave worked with me at Games Workshop and he drew a lot of the artwork for Warhammer Ancient Battles including the cover. Like me, Dave was an ancient wargamer who could trace his collecting days back to the 1970's: unlike me, Dave's artistic talents were in evidence from an early age!

Not quite so long ago... about two months ago in fact... I found the army sitting unused and abandoned in a couple of large really 'useful' boxes. It struck me that it would make a nice side-project, a quick re-base and a little tidying up and bingo. 

Minifigs 78'ers and Garrison Immortals

Once I got started I quickly realized this was going to take a bit more work than I'd bargained for. Spears to replace as usual and quite a bit of worn paint that would need to be touched in or over-painted. So, it's taken me a bit longer than I expected, which is why I've not posted for a while.

The army is a mix of Minfigs, Garrison, the odd Hinchliffe and a few I can't identify. Quite an eclectic bunch in fact. The Minifigs are the more recent ranges as shown in the 1978 and subsequent catalogues - not the models I'm more familiar with. 

Hoplites - nicely painted shields on these.

As well as the Pesians themselves the army includes Hoplites, which I assume have been enrolled as mercenaries or come from Ionian allies. I've tried to preserve as much of Dave's original paint as possible on all the army, and with the Hoplite shields I just tidied up where I felt it was needed. 

It was interesting working with these later Minifigs. They are much more detailed than their predecessors, but I do feel that they lack some of the charm of the earlier models. Still, they don't look at all bad, and it's a decent sized unit too.

Chariots! Four of these. 

The chariots are a mix of Minifigs, Garrison and Hinchliffe, with some converted crewmen and all the reins nicely represented with wire or thread. These took the most work to rebuild because most of the glue attaching the reins, wheels and crews had long-since given out. 

I also ended up repainting the horses on three out of four of the chariots. I think they'd been painted with a wash technique that had worn through to the metal in places and which was impossibly to patch up.

Cavalry - the later PB range I think. 

In fact, most of the mounts for the cavalry needed to be repainted, except for the rather nice dappled horses, which benefitted from their more substantial paint job and yielded to a light tarting up.

The main cavalry unit looks like its from the updated 'PB' Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars range. These all have saddlecloths added from paper, which is a nice touch, and I've carefully preserved these and recoloured where it was required. All on individual bases for some reason!

Cardaces back left and archer back right,

Also from the same range as the cavalry is a largish unit of Cardaces, which had been based as 'Light Medium' types on the intermediate 20mm frontage rather than the close fighting 15mm. Some of these look to have been painted by a different hand, and I undertook a bit of repainting to bring them together.

Except for a few otherwise unbased figures, I retained the original basing, which is either Tetrion type filler over card or what looks like Milliput over card. The base sizes are all consistent with the contemporary Wargames Research Group Ancients rules. I've repainted the bases and applied flock to bring the whole lot together.

A lone Garrison Cameleer.

There's still a good few models to go, but I'm calling it a day so I can get on with my other restoration projects. There's a nice-sized unit of Garrison Phrygians that I might have a go at, but they are in a fairly poor state compared to the whole and might need a complete repaint. 

Interestingly, although what we have is definitely a Persian army it's not entirely clear whether its early Achaemenid - i.e. invasion of Greece - or later i.e. Alexander the Great - and plainly it includes models unique to both! 

Almost forgot - I repainted all the metallics and revarnished selectively in gloss, then varnished or the not metallic elements in the original matt. I think these Minifigs look right in matt - the old school gloss doesn't really look correct with the more modern figures. I followed suit with the Garrison figures just to be consistent. Hopefully this will preserve them for many years to come. 

There you go - thanks to Dave Gallagher for his generosity all those years ago - now to get on with something else! 

 

Arab Seleucid Camel Rider

This is the Arab Seleucid Camel Rider that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 35s, and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PBC 35. 

As with all the 'PB' range it is derived from Phil Barker's pair of books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. PBC standing for Phil Barker Cavalry. This figure corresponds with illustration 35 in AMPW.

He is riding Camel 1, marked CAMEL on the upper surface of the base. 

This is a fairly common find that must have made its way into many contemporary Seleucid Successor armies. The rider is armed with the most unlikely sword that must be as tall as he is! I think the idea is that the sword was long enough to reach enemies on the ground in a similar way to... a spear. I've straightened this one out as much as I can, but they are invariably twisted, bent or - if unlucky - broken. 

Persian Armoured Cavalryman

 

This is the Persian Armoured Cavalryman that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 25s, and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PBC 25. 

As with all the 'PB' range it is derived from Phil Barker's pair of books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. PBC standing for Phil Barker Cavalry. This figure corresponds with illustration 25 in AMPW.

He is riding the Persian Cavalry Horse PBH 60, the code '60' being stamped on the upper surface of the base in the usual fashion . For some reason this particular horse has been painted on one side before further efforts were abandoned. Perhaps exhaustion set in. 

Darius

This is the figure of Darius that appeared as part of the Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars range as PBP 3  - for 'Phil Barker Personalities'. 

The model is not taken from the book despite the code designation, but forms part of a small range of 'general' figures.

The figure appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue and the 75 catalogue under the same code. 

There is no code number on the base, instead - in common with all the personality foot figures - the base is marked with a name: in this case Darius. 

 

Cretan Archer

This is the Cretan Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 14s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 14.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 14 in AMPW.

The 's' designation was used to distinguish the newer 25mm style of models from the preceding, smaller 1/72nd range. The transition was soon complete and the 's' - special - was dropped from the figure codes thereafter. 

The base is stamped PB 14 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This simple figure stood in the ranks of many a Macedonian, Successor and Greek army throughout the 1970s, some doing sterling service for many years thereafter. Consequently, it is one of the more common finds and turns up fairly frequently on the second-hand market, often in decent numbers.

Unusually, this example still has the feed to the bottom of the bow intact, an interesting piece of mould-making technology that has survived unscathed these many years. 

 

Frankish Infantryman with Sword

 

This is the Frankish Infantryman with Sword that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 197.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 97 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101. 

The base is numbered PB 197 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Another rather generic barbarian standing ready to trouble the Romans for all he's worth. 

Frankish Infantryman with Spear

 

This is the Frankish Infantryman with Spear that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 195.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 95 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101. 

The base is numbered PB 195 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This model could well serve in practically any Germanic army of the third century or later. He'd comfortably slot into a fantasy army for that matter.

The AEIR range was originally released with rather thick - some would say overly thick - spears and javelins. These obviously caused some unrest, because they were soon replaced with much thinner versions. These in turn obviously failed to cut the mustard, because they were often replaced with new weapons that were either a little thicker or just 'different'. One suspects the factory was having problems casting the thin versions! This particular model is one of the later 'thin' types. 

The thick-spear version of the same figure has his spear held almost parallel to the ground, so not only was the spear redesigned but it was slightly repositioned too.

In the end, Minifigs gave up entirely and started to produce their figures with open hands to take separate weapons. However, that didn't happen until the 72 PB range had already been replaced with the  later 78 ranges - as far as I know! 

Visigothic Infantryman

 

This is the Visigothic Infantryman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 194.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 94 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101. 

The base is numbered PB 194 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Aside from his rather oddly-shaped shield this is very much a standard Germanic-type barbarian or later Roman foederate. 

Plugging Some Gaps

PBC 26 Persian Unarmoured Cavalryman

My intention with this blog has always been two-fold: firstly, to record - partly for my own satisfaction - my progress on collecting and refurbishing some old early 70s armies that I either owned or lusted after in my youth (I was a peculiar boy); and secondly, to create a reference catalogue of bare metal photographs of the two ranges that mostly attracted my interest at the time (the 1972 PB ancients). 

I've reached a point now where I've photographed most of the bare metal I could lay my hands on. The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome (AEIR) series still has a way to go, it was a bigger range and to be honest my enthusiasm is mostly for the armies of the Principate  and their foes - i.e. the first couple of centuries AD. 

The Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars (AMPW) series is almost complete though. Checking through, I've assembled a few painted examples from old armies to cover the obvious gaps for now.

PBC 25 Persian Armoured Cavalryman

I was a little surprised that some of these models had never been photographed in metal. I suspect it's because I've got so many already painted I've never worried about adding more and hence never managed to find unpainted examples or models that needed stripping. Some of these are painted to a standard such that I would strip them tomorrow if I'd bought them on e-bay, but being painted by my teen self - and some of my friends - they exude a certain nostalgic tug as they are. 

The first couple of cavalrymen are Persians from the army I started collecting to oppose Richard Halliwell's Macedonians. I don't think it ever gained enough mass to fight a proper battle, and when Hal decided to switch to Seleucids he bought most of my collection from me to incorporate into that army. Note the authentic Humbrol flesh pallor.

 

PBC 35 Arab Seleucid Camel Rider

The Arab Camel Rider was a popular addition to most Successor armies and I have a good-sized unit to which this chap belongs. Note the huge sword - supposedly necessary to reach enemies grovelling about on the ground as you lope past. Very sensible. 

PB 18 Persian Infantry Officer
with Standard

The Persians were favoured with two different standard bearer designs of which this is your usual infantry type, the other (missing in action) was the army standard shaped like an old-fashioned Persian shield. More of that pallid flesh paint - how are you going to overcome your foes looking so grievously unwell I ask? 

PB 21 Persian Archer

This is the Persian archer - all the Persians have this 'three-lappet' cap. It's a 'Persian thing'. 

PB23 Armenian Archer

Armenian Archer - very similar to the Persian aside form his hat and beard. 

PB 16 Javelinman

Amazed I've never had one of these in bare metal - it's the Greek Javelinman with crescent shaped shield. Nice little figure he is too.

PB10 Mercenary Peltast with Thureos

Once again I can't believe I've never managed to photograph one of these in metal. It's the Peltast with Thureos (that's the name of the type of shield he carries... despite the fact that Peltasts are called Peltasts because they carry a shield called a 'pelta'... but I digress).

Pretty much every Successor army of the day included some of these, so its one of those figures that turns up again and again second-hand. I have quite a few too. That's probably why I've never sought out any more. One of those classic WRG 'Light Medium Infantry' (LMI) types that never existed in reality but made a useful contribution to the game. 

Nice figure. Must have been a right pain to cast. 

PB8 Greek Mercenary Hoplite

And another one that I have so many of! Possibly the least attractive Hoplite model ever made by anyone ever! Hardened enthusiast of Minifigs that I am, even I find it impossible to summon the courage to paint any more of these fellows. One of the most annoying things about these models is that it's almost impossible to rank them up one behind the other. When you do, you'll find it's equally impossible to line up the bases with the opposing unit in combat. On top of that, the shield is really rather nasty, not quite round, not quite convex, and lacking the rim that characterises a hoplon. Still - here he is - and he has lots of mates. Lots. 

PB 14 Cretan Archer

Yup it's the Cretan archer - illustrated by Phil Barker wearing what one of my friends called a 'gardening hat' and therefore dooming every Cretan archer model in every manufacturers' range since to go so adorned. Everybody had these, and they were available to most contemporary armies too, so they turn up on the second-hand market all the time. Standard Minifigs archer pose - nothing wrong with that - and a figure that is certainly undemanding when it comes to paint. 

Many games were played with these. The tradition at our wargames club was that anyone moving them would be obliged to break into The Archers theme, with which everyone else would join in more-or-less in tune... dada dada da da daaaa... dada dada daa daa... It's a serious business this wargaming lark. 

PBC 37 Successor/Late Roman
Heavy Cavalryman

I have a nicely painted unit of these that I completed a while back, but on this occasion I've dug out one of Richard Halliwell's Successor Heavy Cavalry. These were employed as the General's bodyguard and mostly hung round the back looking important. The horse is one of the updated ancient A series affairs that replaced the PBH horses. 

Although described at 'late' Roman he's only 'late' in terms of the Roman army described in AMPW - of course. 

PBP1 Alexander Mounted

Alexander the Great doing service as army general for Hal's Seleucids. Another fairly common find and easily recognised by the 'lionskin' headgear. Proper PBH horse this time. I do prefer the earlier horses - and the older S Range horses - to the later, larger H and A range versions that replaced them. 

PBC 36 Successor/Italian Light Cavalryman

Successor Light Cavalryman with massive shield! The heavy cavalry figure also has the same shield and you do have to wonder how you can ride a horse, throw javelins and carry that thing all at the same time. 

PB22 Persian Slinger

Another Persian - this time a slinger. Typical slinger pose and otherwise dressed identically to the bowman.

I notice I am still missing a few. Here's the list. 

PB19 Persian Royal Standard Bearer

PB20 Persian Infantry of the Cardaces

PB28 Indian Javelinman

PB30 Indian General

PB42 Roman Standard Bearer

PBC31 Elephant Javelinman

PBC34 Seleucid Light Cavalryman

Some of these were definitely part of the original armies that we once owned, but who knows to where the winds of fate have blown them? I recently got my hands on a unit of Indian Javelinmen only to discover once I'd stripped them that they were recasts - probably fifty year old knock-offs! These do turn up sometimes and it's certainly not easy to tell once figures have been covered with lashings of paint and bases have been buried in Tetrion!

 

Early German Infantryman (165)

This is the Early German Infantryman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 165. The same title is given to a second figure PB 164, hence I've added the number to the title to avoid confusion.

Both PB ranges were based on Phil Barker's books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. This figure is taken from illustration 65 in the first edition of AEIR.

The code numbers for the AEIR range correspond to the illustrations in the book plus '100', i.e. illustration 1 is figure 101. 

The base is stamped PB 165 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The 'bun' on the back of the head is inspired by the hair-style of AEIR illustration 64. It is supposed to show the style usually known as the Suebian knot, as preserved on various bog bodies including the Osterby head. 

 

Hun Archer

 

This figure is the 'S' range Hun Archer coded AG 10 in the 70-71 catalogue and presumably the same model as AG 10s in the 72/73 catalogue. All the 'ancients' in this first 'S' range are coded 'A' for ancients, and the 'G' stands for 'Gaul' so quite why Minifigs chose to roll their Hun models in with the Gauls is a bit of a mystery. Having said that I'd be quite happy to be told he was a Gallic archer as there's nothing obviously Hunnic about him.

Neat little figure typical of the S range in size and detailing. Classic Minifigs archer pose. The bow is slightly asymmetric and one wonders why.

Markings on the upper surface of the base in the standard style AG 10. 

This fellow came along with a batch of PB range barbarians. Nice to have him, though I'll be lucky to find enough of his friends to make a unit. 

South Gaulish Cavalryman

This is the South Gaulish Cavalryman that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 55s, and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PBC 55. 

As with all the 'PB' range it is derived from Phil Barker's pair of books Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars and Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome. PBC standing for Phil Barker Cavalry. This figure corresponds with illustration 55 in AMPW.

He is riding the ubiquitous PBH 65-217 which is listed as two different horses in the 72/73 catalogue: PBH 65 Cavalry Horse and PBH 217 Roman Cavalry Horse 1st and 2nd Centuries AD. The code is stamped on the base in the usual way. 

The pose is typical of the range, the figure is nicely executed with a rather dashing cloak. He is also carrying a sensibly-sized shield... take note Spanish Cavalryman PBC 53!