Monday 15 April 2013

Swiss contingent finished

I very much like that feeling, when I'm able to say "The last one is done". It brings on a warm glow.

This weekend I finished painting the last of the Swiss pike. This makes the Swiss contingent complete (though more shot, and even more pike, can be requisitioned from other contingents if required).

As a contingent, it comprises:
216 pike, 'collectionally' organised in three 72 man 'pike squares'.
16 halberdiers in a single unit.
24 arquebusier, in two units, based as skirmish shot.

Most figures are Old Glory, but there are one or two Foundry figures mixed in here and there.


The pike squares are organised in 12 stand units. They are four stands (12 figures) wide and three stands (6 figures) deep. Though not exactly square in any sense, they are efficient, and (IMHO) good looking wargames units.
The front stands are, probably unhistorically, armoured. But I like the look of a bit of three-quarter armour where the metal meets the meat.
A halberdiers unit, which I added only for 'spicey, gamey' completeness rather than historical necessity, in a small block of 16 figures.

Men with big choppers do it for me, anyways!



A close up of the relatively bright and simple paint job. These Old Glory figures are a doddle to paint up quickly - I love 'em!
One of the two units of skirmish shot. These are an almost 50% - 50% mix of 'ebay purchased' Foundry and Old Glory. They mix very well.













As I said, I have more Swiss units for refighting big battles such as Marignano. This is a unit of 72 Swiss pike (mainly Foundry figures) which I generally use as French. As with all of my Renaissance units (except one), all flags are on interchangable tubing so, once I make six more Swiss flags on tubing, these can be Swiss again in a seconds.



BTW, the first day of Marignano 1515 is my next painting goal. I have to paint 72 Italian pike (to use, wouldn't you know it, as French!), 48 crossbowmen, 32 arquebusier, and ten or so flags. I'll refight it at a figure ratio of 1:40ish, and with the usual piece of fudge.

For this Wednesday's game I've set up a battle using my entire collection (save a few command stands). It will be the umpteenth, fictional Battle of Fastapasta.

12 comments:

BigRedBat said...

They look stunning, James, and so many of them!

The flags set them off a treat. Why didn't the bloody Successors, have decent flags? ;-)

Cheers, Simon

War Minister Crittumbo said...

Beautiful work as always! I really love pike blocks.

Alexandr Litvinov said...

Beautiful and as always great!

painterman said...

great looking pike blocs - your collection and Italian War games are all most impressive.

fireymonkeyboy said...

Damn, those look great!

valleyboy said...

Brilliant as ever James
Thanks for all the tips along the way as well

1St502Strike said...

Some absolutely great looking units. Top notch brush work. Regards, Bill

Christopher(aka Axebreaker) said...

Absolutely stunning!

Christopher

Gonsalvo said...

Marvelous looking troops, James. I agree re: Halberds - not entirely historical, but I love an odd unit of them (and 2-handed swordsmen) for period "effect".

JAMES ROACH said...

Thanks, guys.

Gonsalvo, I heartily agree. Halberds / two handed swordsmen are one of those suck it and see things. Historically they were part of something bigger, and probably not that effective (they decreased in numbers, historically). But, they do look good, and are good 'gamey' fun. In our recent Novara game, more fun was had with that unit than any other - though we did make it "A class, fierce and murderous".

Der Alte Fritz said...

So you are finished, huh? What new 2,000 figure pair of armies are next on the docket? :) And of course you will have them all painted within six months. Your collections and painting prowess are amazing and a wonder to behold. Your blog is much appreciated.

Jim

JAMES ROACH said...

Not quite finished, just finished the Swiss.

I still have:

About 200 arquebus and crossbow to do. About 350 pike (mostly Italian), 72 cavalry, a dozen guns, and 100 odds and sods infantry.