More Norman Invasions

Inspired by TigerZouaves excellent Viking figures, I have persevered in painting my mountain of Norman figures sitting around.  It's been a labour of love.  But Im pleased with the result.  I'll keep adding to them as I go along- but I think its time to paint a few different things for a bit.  It's good to have more space in the unpainted figure cupboard too.  They are based very close-  4 infantry to a 60mm x 20mm base. I think it gives a good effect.  Maybe the cavalry rode in looser formations- I don't know. The photos don't really do them justice though.  They weigh a ton!  One day these guys might even see battle!

Norman Shieldwall. Believe it or not- there are over 200 figures here!

A few archers

Norman Cavalry- 70+ figures

Norman Commanders and Casualties

Here are the bookends of my Norman army.  The Command and Casualties stands!  They are mainly by Crusader miniatures who make a fantastic range of Norman characters.  Intermingled with these are some Black Tree characters and the Conquest miniatures casualty figure.  I don’t really go in for casualty miniatures normally, but these have been real fun to paint and base up.

Also pictured at the bottom are some Black Tree errant Viking berserkers, which I was conned into buying through one of Black Tree’s perpetual online sales!

Foot Command Stand- William at the front!

There's nothing like a spot of falconing before the battle!

Crusader Minis casualty

Another one bites the dust!

And another one does!

The loss of a friend!

What have I done!

Talk about out of control!!!

William and the Normans

Below is the latest update of my Norman army. I have followed the FOG starter army list in the Wolves from the Sea supplement. I am close to completion and only really have to paint up another two command stands and a camp.  I have another 5-6 bases to add just for good measure too!  The figures are mostly Crusader (who make fantastic figures) Conquest and Black Tree.  It has been a treat painting these guys up, but I am ready for a new challenge and the bucketful of ECW royalist infantry I have sitting around could be beckoning!

Norman Knights- Conquest and Black Tree Figures

Milites- Crusader miniatures

Archers - Crusader and Black Tree Design

Saxons- waiting to be slaughtered!

Rank and file - Black Tree and Crusader

William and Odo- Crusader Miniatures

Casualty Stand- Conquest Miniatures

The Army (I chopped a few off on the side!)

The Lord and Lady have come to view the spectacle!

Here is the beginnings of my ECW camp for my army.  The Lord and his good lady have kindly come down from the manor to see the Kings good men dispense some royal justice!  No day out in the countryside would be complete without bringing your favorite spaniel.  Of course, you couldn't walk it yourself- so that is why the kennel-boy is on hand.   The figures are made by Redoubt, who have a varied range of character and vignettes from this period.  The clothes on these figures were lovely to paint.  The only detraction was an unsightly cast line across her face, which was hard to clean up. 

The Start of the 28mm Norman Invasion

Here are beginnings of my Norman Army.  They are mainly composed of Black Tree, Conquest and Crusader figures. Depicted here is the unarmored (or lightly armored) and mounted knights.  I have based the for WRG/FOG/DBX games.   I have always wanted to put together a Dark Ages/Medieval army and Nomans are a good choice as with a few modifications can be early Crusaders or Italo-Normans or good old William's boys themselves!  The sun was working against me in the photos- so unfortunately, they are a bit grainy and there is a lack of detail in the shadows.  I will do a better job when the army is finished!

Conquest Plastic figures mixed in with Black Tree

Black Tree figures mounted on some spare Warlord horses

Painting Basket-weave can be quite therapeutic!

The Norman Shieldwall

The Macedonian General

Here is a picture of my painting efforts of one of Foundry's range.  The figure is supposed to be Alexander the great- however- I have painted his horse brown and everyone knows that Bucephalus was black!  So maybe he borrowed a mate's horse or he is just a look alike for the big man himself!

It was a lovely figure to paint and the detail on the linen armor echoes the famous mosaic depicting Alexander well.  The helmet and sword on the base are some spares from the Immortal Greeks box set.

Immortal Greeks

Below is a picture of my efforts of painting the plastic kit produced by Immortal.  They are well proportioned and there is plenty of parts to create variations.  These gents are meant to depict the period of the Persian Wars.  The water slide transfers are very nicely done.  You need to cut close to the image though to ensure that there are no bubbles or creases from the curve of the shield.  They should blend in OK with the Foundry and Ral Partha figures I have already, although their shields are slightly larger.  The box contains an excellent pamphlet explaining the weapons and armour of the different periods of Ancient Greece.  The only figure I didn't use was the piper, although a wonderful figure was just a bit small and looked too adult for my liking.  Overall, they were great fun to paint and look even better in formation.  

Immortal Greeks