The Macedonian range is now about done.
I will add some more packs in the future to make the range become other armies. Many of the troop types are common to other greek type armies.
However for the next month I am working on other bits.
martin :)
You've done a great job on these, Martin.
Nice to know they will continue to evolve and morph into other Greek forces in due course.
Simon
Thanks Simon.
Just in time for Chritsmas too
martin :)
One of my favourite troop types is the Greek Hoplite. My first ever metal figure was a Hinchcliffe Hoplite. If they could be squeezed in somewhere that would be lovely.
Ah, but with what helmet, Sean - Corinthian, Phryigian, Chalcidian, Boeotian...?
And then we'll need some Spartans in their birthday suits too... ;)
Simon
The hoplites are going to be done Sean but that must remain a secret between you and I. I hope I can rely on your discretion Sean. Probably 4 packs with helmet and pose variety. 150 hoplites, army done.
I am trying to see if there are transfers available the size of the PP shields. The shield curvature might be a problem for transfers?
martin :)
Martin,
Essex sell the Veni Vidi Vici range of 15mm shield transfers (including "the Macedonian Star") in a variety of colours: https://www.essexminiatures.co.uk/collections/15mm-shield-decals-veni-vedi-vici-transfers-1
Decals can be softened to fit curved surfaces using products like Humbrol Decalfix.
Simon
Maybe I can get just sample transfer pack from various manufacturers and endorse just one of them. That should make their fortune (??)
martin
This sounds very good to me, as a novice starting from scratch!
Miles
Well in that case, I think I'd better watch 300 again and get ready for the inevitable Persians 🤣
I am going to use 300 as a good reference source. Maybe fewer Rhinos?
martin :)
I hear they prefer to be called Armoured combat unicorns.
The main problem Sean is whether they are so big that resin should be used or small enough for metal casting. Real decision problems.
martin :)
Speaking of 300, does anyone remember the Stephen Boyd version from the 60s. Went to see it when I was about 12, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the first time I found out that there were a lot of other Greek hoplites there as well. My first ancient army was Greek hoplite in my very early 20s.
I suspect that earlier film has been seen by everybody here.
I suppose the film maker wanted the "300" to be promoted as a hyperbole of what happened?
I still enjoy that film.
martin :)
Not sure I've seen it. I'll try and find it to watch over Christmas.
1962. I think it is free on channel 4?
There are several for less than £3 including delivery on Amazon.
Seems very cheap.
martin :)
One of the problems I have to deal with in historical films is historical accuracy. As a retired history teacher I find it particularly jarring. Thought 300 was a load of billhooks.
I'm with you Andy. One of my pet hates is the Battle of the Bulge starring Robert Shaw. All the German tanks were just US tanks painted grey with black crosses on them. Just so, so wrong.
John
I'm with you on that one, John. I can't imagine watching that film ever again. One can stretch credulity only so far...
Simon
The years do roll by. Oh dear!
In 1970 when I was at senior school a lot of staff had wartime experience. There aws not much mention of it as many had been in it.
The woodwork master did tell me that he was perturbed by the tanks not stopping to shoot. He was a WW2 tanker and a real misery too. My English texaher was totally deaf in one ear due to his being in SP guns in WW2. My French teacher had something to do with being in concentration camps.
My school still had a mass bomb shelter and air attack siren.
Anyone remember the monthly nuclear warning siren test? They were on top of telegraph poles.
Long long time ago in another world.
martin :(
I love how the King Tiger and the Panther both were the same M47 Patton tanks ?
How they used M24 Chaffee as M4 Sherman's ? Why not use them as M24 Chaffee tanks ? At least in Kelly's Heroes they did actually try and get some of the vehicles right ?
Miles
Aah, WWII vehicles, everybody's pet annoyance. Part of the reason I do very little WWII gaming is the overabundance of different vehicles. I will be confining myself to the Netherlands, May 1940 and small scale actions around Arnhem, September 1944.
On knowing people who fought in WWII, I had lots of stories from my dad who was an RN radar operator on a ship in the Indian Ocean later in the war. As a teenager I had a part-time job in a hotel working with a former artilleryman who fought in the Western Desert, and in my early 30s I worked with a former RAF tail gunner who was taken off duty because he was very unwell. That night his plane was shot down with no survivors. It is unsurprising that many people did not talk about their wartime experiences. My grandad told me a lot about being on the Archangel run from late 1916 until Russia left the war, but he never talked about his experience on HMS Tiger at Jutland.
Quote from: Leman (Andy) on December 08, 2023, 10:39:10 PMSpeaking of 300, does anyone remember the Stephen Boyd version from the 60s. Went to see it when I was about 12, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the first time I found out that there were a lot of other Greek hoplites there as well. My first ancient army was Greek hoplite in my very early 20s.
Indeed, The Thespians were on good form I gather getting the Persian troops dancing... Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire' depicts them in a fetching all over gore camo that all but obliterates their black tunics and cloaks...
Neil
We should make a couple of packs of Thespians. Maybe Thespian Hoplites and peltasts?
It might be difficult to mould the exaggerated poses though.
martin :)
I can see the three posers now. Brian Blessed, Dwayne Johnson and Derek Jacobi.
John
Certainly a varied body type Jon.
Dwayne would be 17mm?
martin :)