Fantasy elite heavy cavalry

 

In various army lists most of the cavalry are listed as heavy cavalry so I decided to do a unit of irregular elite/noble cavalry unit. Also, when I did the original unit of elite cavalry I hadn't sorted standards - so I included a command unit for them as well.

It's the shields. In conjunction with paint pens I think they're fantastic - I'm now regretting not using these shields for all of the Arabs/Turks.

Command stand for the elite regulars with horse armour - can be used as a general as well.

The big standard isn't listed in any specific range. The original flagstaff was very flimsy so I cut it away and just glued the standard directly to the kontos of the figure. The triangular standard is from the Sung Chinese range. The rider looks a bit lop sided - didn't notice that until I saw the photos, the figure itself looks as though it's simply angled back.

Killing two birds with one stone

 

The original idea was to use these as either a big unit of 48 4Sp figures or split it into two units of 24. Then I started thinking that the various Arab and Turkish based armies covered a lot of different troop types but, in DBA where they would most likely be used, I didn't need 12 bases... so didn't really need to use them all as Sp...

In fact, I could do a 6 base unit on deeper bases that would work as  either 4Wb or 4Ax...

And still leave me 6 bases of 4Sp...

Hence two birds with one stone.

More from Steven - 15mm Hyenas and Hetzers

 Two lots here:

Quick update, I painted some hyenas (image attached) to join the prehistoric project. They are by Checkpoint Miniatures, bought to pad out a very specific order with them that was otherwise too small to justify the postage.Didn't take as long to paint as previous prehistoric animals - I think I have developed a routine.

I did the green and brown camo in the attached today. Airbrushed colour modulation with blutac masking. Lots more to do but interesting to see this stage before I add detailing, weathering, decals etc

 

More Turks, on the painting table and looking at future moulds...

 

This lot could be either 3Ax or 3Wb... though ones like Dynastic Kurdish armies specify 5Wb or 7Hd! But then, Seljuk Turks use 3Ax and so can Anatolian Turkoman... though they also use 7HD!

So still a lot more units needed - and I haven't even thought about the various irregular Bw or Ps types. And of course Central Asian Turkish needs 3 x 4Sp.

So what am I painting up at the moment? Nearly finished what could be 2 24 strong or 1 48 strong (extra command element painted) unit of  possibly 4Wb (Arab Conquest) or 4Sp (Umayyad Arab or Abbasid Arab)... never ending... and also couple of cavalry command elements nearly finished, plus the rest of a fancy heavy cavalry unit. 

At some time must take a break from them. Could go for 7YW - it would help offset my current mould splurge... so far I've had 10  moulds made for these over the years, 'need' a couple more at least to sort the French and Austrian cavalry but really can't justify the cost - though I am going through and sorting them out - A new mould costs about £100, and for ranges that are not really a major interest of mine? - though to be fair some of the moulds have paid for themselves. Might get back into trying to paint up some more for myself. Meanwhile French and Austrian cavalry moulds can wait.

The Third Eye

 

My second cult faction seems to be setting up a tradition - they all have eyes in them... honest, I'm just going with normal horror traditions and the third eye on the forehand is pretty well established. Not sure where (if anywhere) I go with expanding these cult figures - should probably do some for the Cult of Dagon? Figures have been painted as shaven headed - seemed right.

I have to admit I like the idea of that face. It strongly reminds me both of the film Bleeders/Hemoglobin cover and The Scream. The theme from Hemoglobin is one of my favourites.

One thing I'm finding is how useful a set of metallic paint pens I bought are, especially for shields, armour and standards. The set I got is one I'm happy to recommend!

'Regular' Turkish archers

 

These units are coming along thick and fast... This lot definitely come under the fantasy umbrella as uniformed 'Turkoman' troops, either city or personal retinue in a standard uniform. Or perhaps would fit into some later armies that are a bit more realistic.

Although I've described them as regular, I doubt that a unit like this would be trained so I've based them as 3Bw rather than 4Bw. A unit or two of infantry equivalents of the regular cavalry would finish this part of the fantasy Muslim armies. Add a load of the irregular Turkoman types - cavalry and infantry - should give a decent looking army. 

Turkoman light cavalry

 

Another unit of Turkish style light cavalry gives me two units, the other one just being bow armed. That's more than enough for Turkish DBA armies, need more irregular Cv though.

I admit I like these. The mix of J/Bw/Sh, Sword/Sh and Bw armed figures gives a good irregular mix. Probably a bit heavy on the J/Bw/Sh component though. I suppose it would work to simply mix figures from the two units up...

I'm already working on the regular Turkish infantry component - archer unit nearly finished, lots of both regular and irregular spears and bows to complete. I also must start work on Arab cavalry... must see how well the Achaemenid Persian Sp/Sh figure works and what might need to be done to it!