Disorder Disorder

Not wanting to use a selection of dodgy cardboard counters, I set about thinking what I could use to mark Disordered units. The main Impetus rules suggest using a sword waving officer type, but being a cheapskate of the highest order, I elected to use some left over shields, and a 1p piece for the base. Some of the other bases will feature discarded helmets, and other weaponry. I think the markers look quite nice, and much more pleasing to the eye than a random selection of cardboard bits n bobs.

Slingers-Sorted

Another unit added, so thats 2 down and another 8 to go. Some very useful generic slingers this time, figures are Crusader Spanish/Balleric slingers, but they are perfectly useable as generic Hellenistic slingers. The great thing about these random Psiloi type units, is that they can be used with quite a few armies. So I think I will get another unit painted up with the rest of the pack, as I'm sure they will get used at some stage.

Ohhhhhhh-I wonder?

Saw these a little while back. OK so they are tagged as Seleucid Companion Cavalry, but I wonder if they could serve purpose, as Pyrrhic Guard Cavalry? So now I have a dilemma, do I go ahead and order these rather lovely figures, or do I hang on until Aventine release their version?  Decisions, decisions!!

Moving Forwards

Been somewhat delayed just lately, having taken on some vehicle master work for a couple of mates. So, I have decided to recruit some help to get  the army on its way. Getting paid for my modelling skills means I can employ my mate Doug to paint some figures for me!! That should get me well on the way to having a Basic Impetus army finished to take down to New Buckenham Historical Gamers.

Tarantine Cavalry-Hurrah, A Finished Unit!!

Aventine Tarantine cavalry, based up for the Impetus rules, bu they can also serve purpose for Armati when I go over to game with the lads at New Buckenham.
I have another unit of these to do, the next lot will get more Italian style shields just to make them look a bit different.
Quite pleased how these turned out, as painting horses is not really my strong point.

Advancing Phalanx-Review

Along with my Thureophoroi order, I decided to pick up the advancing Phalanx unit pack (UD34) as well, after all you can never have too many pikemen!!!

This unit pack contains packs PH 21 22 23 & 24 bought as individual packs they would cost £18, the unit pack costs £16.65, so thats a good saving.
The figures, up to the usual Aventine standard, nice clean casts with a minimal clean up. A little bit more work required as the command group does contain some figures that require assembly. You get a good mix of linothorax amoured figures, along with some more heavily armoured types, in a muscle cuirass. The figures carry their pikes at a nice angle of around 45 degrees, thus avoiding the problem of impaling your hand, as I often do on the upright pike blocks!!!
Once painted, I think this unit will look rather impressive.
Check out the other unit packs on the Aventine site, as there are some good deals in there.

Thureophoroi Review

Having seen the news of the new Aventine release, on the Steve Dean Forum, I took the plunge and ordered a few packs.
So heres another short review for interested parties.
There are three packs available, two packs of thureophoroi, and a command pack. The thureophoroi packs are essentially the same, just different weapon options ( either javelin or spear).

OK, so lets take a look at the Thureophoroi pack first. Each pack contains four figures, along with sufficient shields, and weapons for each. The first thing you notice, are the separate heads, this gives you some variety when assembling the figures. I like the seperate head option, the heads themselves fit nicely into the neck recess on the figures, I would recommend filing down the neck stump, thus avoiding the dreaded "bobblehead" look that can result from seperate head models.
Detail wise, the figures are very good, folds in the clothing are well defined, and the helmets are well detailed.

The figures are cleanly cast with minimum mould lines, there is a bit of cleaning up involved around  the shield hand, where there is a small bit of flash, but its not that difficult. Both hands are cast open, thus giving the option of placing javelins behind the shield, and in the throwing hand.
The figures are a little big larger than the Crusader model, you could get away with mixing them in a unit. The big difference of course, are the cloaks, and you will need to get extra shields, so they all match!!!

The command pack contains four figures, but no seperate heads this time. You get a trumpeter, standard bearer, and attacking Thureophoroi, and a rather splendid officer ( my favourite figure in this release)

I will probably use him elsewhere, as he is far too smart for a dodgy mercenary unit!!
All in all, another useful release from Aventine. Thureophoroi units can be found in most of the Successor armies, and these models will serve purpose quite well for that.