Children Of The Hydra

So here they finally are my tribute to Ray Harryhausen and Jason and the Argonauts, together with their new shields (had some trouble tracking these down). The shields are metal and because of this have made the minis top heavy. So washers have been added underneath the bases to counterbalance. I have lost count of how many times I have dropped these, hence the time taken to complete.

Extra work has been carried out to the hoplon shields (or aspis as they are correctly known), straps and carry / grab handles added around the inside perimeter of each before attaching. It adds a touch of realism, instead of the usual glue it on and ask no questions.

As ever your views memories and comments are appreciated.

The video of the completed set can be seen here

This Day In Military History:

1793 - The Holy Roman Empire declares war on the French Republic

1794 - American congress prohibits the export of slaves from the United States.

1942 - Italo-German air raids on Malta.

Britains Herald Knights and Siege Machines.

    

Some of Britains early Herald figures were first produced by Zang products who owned the Herald name. And they were at the time one of the best examples of the newly emerging plastic toy soldiers. The Herald range were then part purchased by Britains in 1955, allowing their designer Roy Selwyn-Smith to work under the Britains name,and the whole Herald range would gain the greater advertising and marketing resources from its new associate owner. The Britains Herald Knights were made in Hong Kong and consisited of six foot figures and four mounted figures each with at least two colour schemes. The figures themselves were produced in PVC from 1968 to 1979, however the halberds were made from polyethylene and quite often broke easily and the paper decals from the shields were easily lost. Two different horses were made for this set having several colours of blankets and saddles. The plug on the saddle which held the mounted figure in place was another victim of play and many surviving riders are often glued to their steeds. As such a complete set with all intact weapons and paper decals should be a worthy addition to any toy soldier collection

   

The foot knights

Halberd visor shut, Standing shooting bow, Kneeling shooting bow, Advancing sword, Halberd visor open, Shield and mace. Sold individually as set (4415)

Note the different colour schemes on the tunics and plumes.

The mounted knights

With sword, With axe, With lance no plume on helmet, With lance plume on helmet. Sold as sets ( 4420, 4421,4422 )

Britains ancient siege engines

Consist of a catapult (4675) and ballista (4676)  they were sculpted by Ron Cameron and released in 1967. Initially produced individually but sold alongside the Britains Swoppet and Herald knights, until these ranges were withdrawn around 1972 and 1976 respectively. They continued to be sold along side the new Deetail range of knights and turks / saracens which were introduced in 1973 more.

Both the models along with their 2 man crews (who seem more norman in appearance) were made in Hong Kong, the first incarnation saw the machines with a realistic wood grain texture. The catapult crew were numbered on the underside of the bases 1 red tunic firing, and 2 blue tunic carrying rock. The ballista crew were numbered 3 blue tunic firing and 4 red tunic holding bolt. However in 1973 the machines were produced in darker plastic and it has been noted that the catapult figures were re numbered as 2 red tunic firing, and 1 blue tunic carrying rock. It has also been noted that both sets were deleted in 1976, this may have been the case for individual sets (4675) and (4676), however I have seen the ballista advertised in Britains 1977, 1978 and 1979 catalogues as an inclusion into the Britains Deetail knights and turks battle set (7766).

Both the sets were re-introduced in 1986 along with the knights of the sword range, but the machines now sported a more smooth finish and issued in sets with silver or black (storm knights), the turks / Saracens having been removed from production in 1983. The ballista crew were in production until 1987, the catapult crew were removed somewhere around or after 1988. Some later crew members have been seen with black armour and in yellow tunics.

Please note although some bases are marked made in England it is believed that all were made in Hong Kong.

This Day In Military History

1813 Treaty of Reid: Bavaria abandons its French alliance and joins Austria and Prussia in the German national war against Napoleon

1918 Sgt Alvin York captures "the whole damned German Army"

1940 German troops enter Romania

1941 Germans capture Mariupol, Russia

1942 Guadalcanal: Battle on the Matanikau, Marines halt a Japanese assault

Britains Deetail Japanese Infantry.

First produced in 1973 were six infantry figures britains designation (7352) though they can also be found in boxed sets US and Japanese infantry (7358) and Japanese infantry (7356). In 1974 a recoilless rifle team was added (7337), all the Japanese figures only received a short production span and although informed of deletion in 1979 I can find no mention of them in Britains catalogues after 1976. No vehicles were ever made to compliment these models, although I have seen their re-emergance in the super deetail range in an expanded set which included a Chi Ha tank produced by CTS.

 

This day in military history. 30th September

1691	The French capture Strasbourg

 1777 Congress flees to York as the British advance in Pennsylvania
 1944 Calais liberated by Allies

Undead skeleton warriors.

The skeletons are taking shape, will be basing these on Greek hoplites. A unit with swords and a unit with spears. They are GW skeletons, just waiting / working on their shields the much revered hoplon or aspsis as is the correct Greek name. Have sculpted two of my own  
(I gauge that they need to be about 18mm in diameter) one is shown below undercoated and roughly attached to show size comparison. With a mini this size I think its only right to show the workings of the hoplon shield. To this end the finished models will have the sleeve and rope handgrip (antilabe). In the meantime I have found a company that produce a range of 16 mm hoplons among other shields etc. They are on order and if they hit the mark they will certainly get a mention. I have already decided I want to change the minis and add greaves and a few hoplite helmets. As I see it the guys would have been in the ground long enough for any fabric to have gone but the armour would remain virtually intact. So some not all of the finished unit will contain this theme so as to add some variety to the unit.

Another piece to my Britains Deetail collection. The Afrika Korps despatch rider, recently bought him off Ebay but failed to notice that the rear saddle is broken missing. He could do with a bit of a wash and some tlc, but still a good piece in this condition for the bargain price i paid.

This day in military history 

    46 -  Caesar returns to Rome following victory in the African War.

1940 -  World War II, Britain and the Vichy government in France broke diplomatic relations.

1814 - Battle of Chippewa: "By God, these are regulars!"
1863 - Battle of Gettysburg. Day 5 Lee retreats.
1943 - The battle of Kursk began when German tanks attacked the Soviets. It was the largest tank battle in history.

My Warhammer Tanks

Have got the majority of the transports (AFV's) completed for my Black Templar collection. I present HIMT (His Imperial Majesty's Tank) Dauntless, Extremis, Oblivion and Tempest.

Dauntless's penant is that of Captain Mcclaren of the Renaisance armed merchant vessel Dauntless. A red templar cross with the skull and cross bones. I thought it would be a good idea to tie in with a bit of history given the name, and templar connection.


The shopping basket for next week includes a selection of skeleton warriors from both GW and the new mantic miniatures range. I plan on doing a few with a greek shield etc as in the Jason and the Argonauts scene "Rise up slain children of the Hydra". Having got two 40k collections now Templars and Orks, i thought i would start a fantasy miniature range. My other hand is slipping toward a 25mm/28mm Greek or Macedonian Army and there massive columns of phalanx.

In Military History.

June 22nd 334 A.D Alexander the Great defeated Darius, King of the Persians, at the Granicus River, near the mouth of the Sea of Marmara in present-day Turkey

June 22nd 1941 Germany Launches Operation Barbarossa. Over 3 million German troops invade Russia in three parallel offensives.

June 22nd 1945 The Australian occupation of Brunei was aimed at permitting the establishment of an advanced fleet base to protect Brunei's oil and rubber resources, and Japanese resistance on Tarakan ends.

June 23rd 1933 USS Macon is commissioned, the last Navy rigid airship.

Eye candy for tread heads and rivet counters.

Been away for a while but got a transfer at work so i am now free to spend more time with the wife and kid, and my hobby. Working on a lot of 40k armour at the moment just adding the finishing touches to some, will post as soon as complete. Have also uploaded a video on how i make my barbed wire. In the mean time............
Heres a collection of photos from a visit to the Bovington tank museum in Dorset.
http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd432/lostlegionminiatures/BOVINGTON/?albumview=slideshow

This day in military history saw:

1645: Troops under English King Charles I and Prince Rupert were decisively beaten at Naseby, Northamptonshire, by Parliamentarian troops commanded by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax.
1777: Continental Congress adopts Stars & Stripes replacing Grand Union flag
1800: Battle of Marengo (NW Italy) was narrowly won by Napoleon Bonaparte over Austrian forces.
1940: German troops entered the city of Paris, France, beginning a five year occupation.
1950: Korean War: The Battle of Taejon (July 14–21, 1950), an early battle between United States and North Korean forces, begins.

UPDATE

Finally finished the converted sentinel walker for the Orks. And have got the 2nd and 3rd Ork Ard Boys mortar teams completed. Tried to inject a bit of humour into the walker model, the guy has got his one hand raised over his eyes as if to realising he can't operate more than one button at once. Need to start looking for a club to join now, gonna take along the lad and see what we can do with the horde of Orks i have growing.

Finished so far:- 30 sluggas (3 with heavy weapons), 20 Shootas (2 with heavy weapons), 10 more on WIP, 30 ard boys (all heavy weapons of course), 10 stick bombers, 10 tank bustas, 4 mega armoured orks, 1 warlord, 1 ork truk, 3 mortar crews.

Most of the extra armour is scratchbuilt, as are the mortars. My favourite so far has to be the guy with the telescope. Reminiscent of the airfix 1/72 Napoleonic Royal Horse Artillery pose.
Also got hold of some more of the Britains Deetail. German despatch rider and a full set of Afrika Korps.

One final thought before i sign off, i was looking very closely at a picture i have on one of the walls in my front room. Depicting squares at Quatre Bras http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Butler_Lady_Quatre_Bras_1815.jpg, look very close at the guy in the middle of the front rank (kneeling). Is it just me or does he bear a resemblance to Jeremy Clarkson. And on that bombshell good night.