Christmas Catch-up

Despite getting distracted by a new 15mm army I have managed to add another cavalry unit to my early 70s Minifigs Carthaginian army, and I've started work on a new Persian army too. As to the 15mm army (Ancient Britons) it did rather remind me that I do own a number of the original Minifigs 15mm armies - the so-called 'strip' Minifigs because the models were cast in strips of five infantry and three cavalry (if memory serves). I suspect my new 15mm figures are somewhat bigger than the old Minfigs - it'll be interesting to compare them. Perhaps another time. 

Carthaginian Heavy Cavalry 

This is my second unit of  Carthaginian Heavy Cavalry. I've given these guys blue shields and a horse motif - a transfer from the Warlord Games Hoplite set. 

Cataphracts

A while back I painted up six cataphracts that came along with a Successor force that I bought to supplement my own Seleucids. I thought it was about time I added another six figures to make a decent sized unit, and here they are. These are the original 'thick' spear style figures.

Spot the difference

I took a picture of one of the original six alongside one of the new ones to show the difference  - and it's quite a difference as you can see! Minifigs modified the original PB ancients figures with thinner spears/javelins at some point. 

I'm not sure whether I prefer the thicker versions or the thinner ones. The slender spears are certainly more realistic, but also very fragile, and long spears like this kontos or pikes usually end up bent out of shape.

As it happens, I have a stash of the thicker spear-armed riders, but no more of the slender versions. I guess I'll pick up some of the slender spear-armed chaps at some point and then divide the unit to make two armed the same way. Meantime we'll have to muddle along.  

As well as doing service as Successors I can see these chaps squeezing in with my Persians - Darius is supposed to have re-armed some of his heavy cavalry with the longer spears after his defeat at Issus.

Hannibal

Before I forget - I've also added a general to my Carthaginians in the shape of the Minifigs PBP Hannibal. I'm not sure whether these guys are going to see a wargame anytime soon - I started collecting these armies for the sake of it, without any clear intention to play wargames. But now I have a commander there is the possibility at least! I'm not sure I'm up to the intricacies of the WRG Ancients rules that we all played back in the 70s, and for which I've base these armies. 

Persian Cavalry

This is my first unit of Persian cavalry. I've gone for a uniform approach and based the tunic and trouser patterns on the reconstructions in Nick Secunda's Osprey book - mostly taken from the Issus Mosaic if I remember correctly. 

Persian Lights

And these are the Persian light cavalry - the unit works out a little too wide for my photo background - sorry about that! I'll take a few photos of the units on the gaming table once I've a few more - my photo booth is great for single figures but tricky for units - hence some of these pictures are a little dark. 

Note that the rider is the same code as the rider for the first unit of cavalry. This is the thick-spear - so I assume early - version of the model and, as you can see, it has the spear held across the body. When the model was updated with the thinner spear I imagine that pose wouldn't have cast very well, so the whole arm was remodelled with the spear upright - is my guess! Whatever the truth of it - it makes a nice variation on the figure. 

Indian Infantry

Although Darius is supposed to have had Indians as part of his army at Gaugamela, these were all cavalry as far as I'm aware. I shall take a few liberties and include these infantry, because I rather like them and... well I've painted them now, and I can't see ever getting enough to field an entire Indian army. Once again, the unit is rather too wide for the background. These things are sent to try us. 

Persian archer, Armenian
and Persian standard bearer. 

And finally, here's a few Persian infantry samples I'm trying out for colour schemes. Not entirely happy with the Armenian in the centre, but it's getting there. I was hoping to find a transfer for the banner but haven't found anything appropriate to fit. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Successor /Late Roman Heavy Cavalryman

This is the Successor/Late Roman Heavy Cavalryman that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC37s, and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PBC 37. 

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 37 in AMPW.

He is riding the ubiquitous PBH 65-217, the code '60-217' being stamped on the upper surface of the base in the usual fashion. This horse combines the original PBH 65 with its equivalent from the Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome range - aside form the number on the base there is no difference between them. 

This makes for a neat little figure that looks very appealing as a regiment of horse. As with several mounted figures in this range the shield does appear a little over-large. 

I painted a unit of these a couple of years ago and they can be seen here. 

 

Armenian Archer

This is the Armenian Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 23s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 23.

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 23 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 23 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

 

Persian Archer

 

This is the Persian Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 21s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 21.

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 21 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 21 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Persian Infantry Officer with Standard

This is the Persian Infantry Officer with Standard that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 18s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 18.

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 18 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 18 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

 

Persian Unarmoured Cavalryman

 

This is the Persian Unarmoured Cavalryman that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 26s, and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PBC 26. 

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 26 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. 

Although described an 'unarmoured' Persian cavalry are known to have worn their armour under their livery coats, whether the Greek style linothorax or some metallic type of armour.

Jewish Infantryman with Bow

 

This is the Jewish Infantryman with Bow that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 176.

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 76 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 176 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Plainly dressed and carrying his quiver at the hip, this figure could fit into many ancient armies as there is little to mark him out as specifically Jewish. It's a nice unfussy figure in an advancing pose that makes change from the usual Minifigs shooting archer. 

Mercenary Peltast with Thureos

 

This is the Mercenary Peltast with Thureos that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 10s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 10.

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 10 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 10 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The 'Thureos' in question refers to the type of shield - which Minifigs have depicted as a plain longish shield rounded at top and bottom. Troops armed in this fashion with spear and light javelins, and sometimes wearing mail armour, were a broad and common category of soldiery in later Hellenistic armies.

I have quite a few of these painted many years ago but only recently acquired a few unpainted examples. It's a figure that features in many contemporary collections and which turns up fairly commonly on the second hand market. 

I'm thinking this chap wouldn't look out of place alongside my Spanish Scutari - the shield is almost identical and the helmet rather generic. 
 

Indian Javalinman

This is the Indian Javalinman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 28s and subsequently in the 75 catalogue as PB 28.

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 28 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 28 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

This example has an especially thin spear, and I wonder that they managed to cast it! Many will be broken. The same model appears with the usual - and I assume original - much thicker and robust spear in the style of the preceding 'S' range Ancients. 

Sassanid Levy Spearman

 

This is the Sassanid Levy Spearman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 210.

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 110 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 210 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

Sassanid Levy are famously timid and included in Sassanid Persian armies mainly to do the fetching and carrying. Also digging. Lots of digging. Considering his lacking of military prowess and reputation this chap has adopted a surprisingly aggressive pose with his spear thrust forward in a threatening manner. He is fooling nobody.

All the models I have are armed with a fairly slender spear, although I suspect variations exist as they do throughout the PB ranges. 

 

Roman Auxiliary Heavy Cavalry - Early 1st Century

This is the Auxiliary Heavy Cavalry - Early 1st Century that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 110. I have added 'Roman' to the title - Minifigs taking it as read. 

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 10 in the first edition of AEIR.

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.

As is often the case we have both rider and mount with saddlecloth - the result of Minifigs' never quite knowing whether to put the cloth on the horse or on the rider.

I've not see variations in the thickness of spear with this model, but the chances are that there are 'thick' and 'thin' versions out there.

This figure has what is described as a Gallic shield and wears scale armour. The illustration the model is taken from lacks a helmet but the designer has thoughtfully given it one taken from the preceeding illustation of a light cavalryman. 

 

Palmyran Archer

This is the Palmyran Archer that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 202.

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 102 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 202 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

A slight deviation from the usual Minifigs archer pose. The bow and arrow have a distintly half-finished look about them as if the designer had the wire armature in place and just forgot to go back and give the bow its shape or the arrow its point and fletchings. Of course, that could never happen ;) 

Frankish Infantryman with Axe

This is the Frankish Infantryman with Axe that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PB 196.

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 96 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 196 on the upper surface in the usual manner.

The pose is a little odd for a model intended to fight in a massed unit and appears to have been inspired from the illustration in the AEIR book. The interpretation of the hairstyle is equally strange and does nothing for the poor chap. 

Gothic Medium Cavalry

This is the Gothic Medium Cavalry that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 199. 

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 99 in AEIR.

He is riding PBH 221, which is a generic horse with saddlecloth. Although designed to go with this range both horse and rider have their own saddlecloths.

I've taken an extra photo showing the rear and the model's distinctive cloak.

There is little else distinctive about this chap and he could easily stand in for a variety of barbarian horsemen. 

Roman Light Cavalryman - 4th/5th Century AD

This is the Light Cavalryman - 4th/5th Century AD that first appears in the Miniature Figurines 72/73 catalogue as PBC 140. I have added 'Roman' to the title - Minifigs taking it as read. 

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 40 in AEIR.

He is riding PBH 221, which is a generic horse with saddlecloth. Although designed to go with this range both horse and rider have their own saddlecloths.

When models appear on the second hand market they are often mounted onto the later, larger 'H' or 'A' series horses, which don't have saddlecloths. 

As you can see he carries an enormous shield. I can't help but think is a bit overdone for a horseman, especially a light cavalryman, who might be expected to gallop around a bit. 

I've added an extra photgraph showing the distnctive cloak for ID purposes.