Oh yes yet another new project, though it may end up just being done by myself if I can't convince Lee into getting into it. I rally enjoyed the Hail Caesar games I have played at Kev's and think it could have legs for 6mm where you can get a nice mass effect. Whilst I am happy to use 28 figures for a Napoleonic Battalion I think you really need lots more to represent the ancient armies units so....
A pike block on a 60x60 base really needs to fill it so I used 97 figures! Baccus give you the option of cast with pike or open hands. I went for the open hands and glued brush bristles into place, thy really need cutting back as they are over long but I wanted to see what they looked like.
Each shield has the Macedonian star, though simplified down to eight lines rather than the sixteen I would put on a 15mm version. I would also outline in black and shape them but I am nither that skilled or mad to do it in 6mm.
This block has cost me £6 in figures, or for less than the cost of sixteen 15mm figures, less than half a block for Field of Glory/ So as I plan to have at least ten blocks I will still end up spending a fair bit but the difference will be something that looks like an army. I will look at what you get in a army deal and may go that route which would be between £45 and £48 and I could just add the extra bits later as the army deals are aimed at more sane customers.
The detail on the figures seems to be just right. Enough that you get to see such as the leather under armour and not so much that they take forever to paint. I spent the best part of a whole day painting these so I would say I could get them done in three to four standard painting sessions and another for basing. So if I was just working on this project alone I could see it ready fr a game in about two to three months. However that's not how it will work so maybe in time for the next lot of dark nights.
Now I am free from having to paint up 6mm Napoleonic's I will be soon, well painting up a few more 6mm Napoleonic's but whilst doing these I will also be finishing off Matt's Zulu's, they are in my ready box and will be started again after a short move into 28mm as my son is kicking my ass in reinforcing his Saga army, with a little help but that will be a post of it's own.
Hey Ian - Pretty cool that the Steelers get to play at home. Tim's a happy camper. Your image showed up on my dashboard and looked like fireworks, at first.
ReplyDeleteHappy soon-to-be 2015.
Yep cool indeed, Ravens could mean it's ugly and who wins could be so beat up they can't progress
DeleteIan
Those look smashing!
ReplyDeleteFMB
Cheers, I want them to do some smashing
DeleteIan
That does look impressive , get 2 army deals you know you want to!
ReplyDeleteWell even two army deals would make a good base for what I want,, after all I am looking at other heavy infantry being 48 figures medium 36 and lights around 24 so maybe three sets?
DeleteIan
Those are cracking Ian. Really like the use of brush bristles for the sarissa, looks more natural.
ReplyDeleteThank's they actually bend like real pikes would as well, I have carried a fair few that have had a serious droop when at charge
DeleteIan
6s do look fantastic en masse, don't they?
ReplyDeleteNice work!
They do indeed, I can't wait to see block after block in line and no safe flanks for both armies
DeleteIan
Splendid stuff, I can see why you'd be tempted.
ReplyDeleteI just need someone else to be tempted too LOL
DeleteIan
They really look impressive! Especially the blue looks striking.
ReplyDeleteCheers, next will be probably red shields
DeleteIan
That's amazing. You said you've carried a pike in real life? Would the pikes actually have been that long in proportion to the bodies? It looks amazing, but unfeasible, almost.
ReplyDeleteThe pikes I carried were about sixteen feet. My company commander used to balance them and they were excellent but I also used the pole like ones that were buggers to keep at the charge position.
DeleteOf course they did not have metal tips either but then again we are not nearly as tough as the men of the times.
I really need to cut these back a little though as they should be long but not that long
Ian