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.

Sassanid Howda Spearman

 

This is the Sassanid Howda Spearman that first appeared in the Miniature Figurines 75 catalogue as PB 224. The model was actually released somewhat earlier and included in an update sheet to the 72/73 catalogue. 

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 doesn't appear in the AEIR book although the numbering  references the picture of the Sassanid elephant and crew illustration number 124.  

The base is stamped PB 224 on the upper surface. As with all the AEIR infantry models the number is that of the associated illustration plus '100'. 

The model is designed to stand in a howda, from which position he is free to wield his spear over the side of  his elephant. I've plonked him onto a dice to enable me to take a photograph. Here he is, valiantly defending the dice against attack.

His appearance is based upon the light infantry types shown in the AEIR book rather than the elephant crew picture itself, which shows armoured infantry with bows. Why Minifigs felt that a specific spearman was required I don't know.