Finished Roman legionaries

Probably shouldn't have done the Roman Review until I'd finished these but...

Two cohorts brings it up to four when I had originally planned on three - but I had the figures so...

Left the shields plain. Might detail them a bit more in the future (no I won't).

So as far as the Romans are concerned I'll certainly do two or three Praetorian units which I could  then pretend to be late Republican. Other than that, one cavalry and two auxilia units ad, as far as I am concerned, the legions are complete.

Sarmatian and Dacian Review

Still a long way to go before either of these armies are complete.

Sarmatian light cavalry unit using SAC1 for the rank and file, SAC2 for the officer and SAC3 as the standard bearer. This unit goes back to 2015... 

As do these... so 11 years before I got back to them...

The recent two heavy cavalry units. The army probably needs to double in size as far as HC/EHC are concerned, but a lot more of SAC1  figures to provide MC! 

The Dacians. Light cavalry are GAC2, the Gallic light cavalry, again with  SAC3 as the standard bearer. Need at least a couple of hundred more infantry for this army! Infantry are technically SA1 Sarmatians, but are much more convincing as Dacians! 

So a lot to go here - and the Sarmatian mould is back and will be ready for casting in a few days...

Reached 1,000,000 views...

 Though probably 900,000 of them are bots. Or me.

Sarmation heavy cavalry

 

Two units of Sarmations on unarmoured horses. Probably got about half the Sarmation cavalry I'm currently looking at.

Seems like Sarmations liked bright colours like red, yellow and gold. No tartans.

So one unit based on yellow, one on red and bright block colours throughout.

Roman army Review

Although I've started lots of Roman armies in the past I can't pretend I've always been enthusiastic about them. This one is just about my most successful attempt to date.

The cavalry. Back row heavies with a unit of each of the three Garrison heavy cavalry figures. There is another cavalry figure I've got and will probably do a unit of those - the other unit either replaced or was replaced by the ones with plumed helmets. Front rank African light cavalry is a very useful figure - Moors, Numidian, Egyptian ... As far as 'needs' go the cavalry are complete but will almost certainly be expanded in future!

The right flank infantry are the most interesting troops a far as I am concerned. Front ranks velites with wolfskins - what's not to like, need more. Middle rank auxilia are cavalry conversions and are my favourite Roman LMI auxilia with pointy sticks.  Need more. Rear figures are Praetorians but I'm thinking that they might be useful as Late Republicans - not quite right but I can live with that. Need more. 

Centre and left flank. Garrison artillery not exactly the best engines but... Slingers next to them have been painted as Spanish, white tunics and black cloaks. I'll be putting them in the Carthaginian army eventually and paint up another unit for the Romans. Middle archers, very Airfix in style, and the rather stiff 'ordinary' Auxilia - won't be increasing either of these units, archers because I've got enough, others because I don't like the figure! At the back, marching legionary - my favourite legionary figure. Need at least one more unit (probably more than one) which has been cast (several years ago!)

Gallic armies Review

 I've been working on several armies recently and building up numbers withour really thinking about where I am... So intend to do a number of what are really interim Reviews over the next few days - should settle what I still need to do.  Starting with the Gauls. Worth remembering this isn't just one army - it includes Gauls, Ancient Brits, Galations, Fantasy and assorted Celts fighting for Carthage...

The basic army as it stands. In general terms, there's the fantasy element on the right, Ancient Brits on the left, Galations back centre, and 'standard' LMI Warband figures all over.

A few more chariots would be nice, so I thought I'd include a picture with my Minifigs chariot force... not sure how many more chariots I'll add, at least six more planned.Looking at this picture, could aim for for another 14-15 though...  As for cavalry - generic army could do with at least one  unit of HC, ie standard bare chested figure with bronze cuirass  painted on...

This is the 'fantasy' flank - infantry and cavalry wearing bison headdresses. No idea how this lot will develop.

Galations at the back. Probably need another 100+ infantry.

Ancient Brits, light cavalry, slingers and LMI infantry. I need at least one more LC unit plus chariots... and got 24 slingers in an army that can take up to 150... Probably settle for another 24?

Quick look at the army from a different viewpoint. Chariots in front, second row cavalry, then light infantry and finally the bulk 'line' infantry units. The only reason I can justify saying it's about half finished is by saying it represents at least four different armies plus mercenaries for a couple of others! Think I still need more light infantry... perhaps a unit each of archers and javelinmen as well as whatever I do with the Ancient Brits.

Quick update on Sarmatians - gather from Pete the latest mould has been made and will soon be with me...

Parthian cataphracts

Years ago I tried carving away the bowcase of some Sarmation cataphracts to see if they would work as generic cataphracts.

Having put a couple of these on a mould I was using I found myself with enough riders to produce a unit of 'Parthian' cataphracts - although obviously most cataphracts look alike so...

As for those bronze armoured horses, I'm taking it from the Phil Barker version of 'Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome' - 'The riders armour was usually iron, but the horses was often bronze, which was less adversely affected by corrosion from the horses sweat.'

Meanwhile, I've also started on two units of actual Sarmation cataphracts - heavy cavalry version, unarmoured horses.