Nik' Byzantine

BrigPaul · Post by **BrigPaul** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:27 pm

Hi, looking to do the later Nik' Byzantine in 15mm with Normans and Varangians etc.
I see Essex do some half decent figures (tho only one lancer), anyone got any recommendations for other manufacturers?
Cheers, Paul.

JamesB · Post by **JamesB** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:52 pm

Here's a list of manufacturers on Tim's site:

http://www.madaxeman.com/wiki2/tiki-ind ... +Byzantine

Delbruck · Post by **Delbruck** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:51 pm

Essex actually have two lancers you can use, BZA14 Thematic Kataphraktoi and BZA23 Tagmatic Kataphraktoi. In addition, BZA20 Trapezitoi could be used as a lancer if the tunic is painted in such a way as to resemble quilted/padded armor. They also have four useable horse archers: BZA15, BZA16, BZA22, and BZA24.

BrigPaul · Post by **BrigPaul** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:21 am

Thanks, especially for the info on other useful Essex codes.

Paul.

philqw78 · Post by **philqw78** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:39 am

The Varangian offensive spear are a bit of a problem. Khurrusan do 2. But any decent viking/saxon types should do. I like the Splintered Light figures. I'm going to use a mix of their armoured Romano Brits and Saxons.

http://www.splinteredlightminis.com/rb.html

spikemesq · Post by **spikemesq** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:55 pm

For my Komnenan Varangians I used a mix of the static Essex Varangian figure and a mix of Two Dragons Vikings with various swinging axes. Painted in a uniform color scheme, they look pretty sexy with a good range of poses.

hth

Spike

The rude one.

MarkSieber · Post by **MarkSieber** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:00 pm

I like some of the figures from Battleline--the old Table Top molds. Cavalry is of a single piece, horse and rider. Some of the foot is good and some not so much. You can order individual figures to see what you like. They also make some Normans. Of all their figure lines, the Byzantines are probably the best.

While the casting style is unique, the better figures are more than serviceable, and a few individual figures remain some of my favorites. (BCY02 and BCY04)

http://www.battleline-miniatures.co.nz/ ... Byzantines
http://www.battleline-miniatures.co.nz ... cksearch=

I also recommend Khurasan, esp. for Varangian spear http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/nikeforian.html and Two Dragons.

BrigPaul · Post by **BrigPaul** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:33 pm

Anyone know what a menavltoi would look like?

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:47 am

BrigPaul wrote:Anyone know what a menavltoi would look like?

Khurasan has one with a decent photograph. Nice looking mini - I do not know if it is accurate or not but the manufacturer has an enthusiasm and dedication to the Central Asian armies of the period. The armor could be fabric or metal I suppose.

http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/by ... fantry.jpg

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:03 am

MarkSieber wrote:I like some of the figures from Battleline--the old Table Top molds. Cavalry is of a single piece, horse and rider. Some of the foot is good and some not so much. You can order individual figures to see what you like. They also make some Normans. Of all their figure lines, the Byzantines are probably the best.

While the casting style is unique, the better figures are more than serviceable, and a few individual figures remain some of my favorites. (BCY02 and BCY04)
<snip>

Agreed. An old line, but one with a lot of vitality in the sculpts. I buy mine from Alternative Armies in Scotland - wonderful service and communications there - and I am happy to see they are expanding the line into some new periods. As you mentioned, some of the foot are showing their age in terms of design and style, but many are quite serviceable. Their strong suit is the cavalry, IMO.
http://15mm.co.uk/Isarus_-_15mm_Dark_Age___Ancient.htm

I just received an order of Huns, just placed an order for Sarmatians, and am about to place an order for Goth/Gepid/Vandal warband foot. These minis were designed before scale creep came a-creeping, so are true 15mms. Sturdy, animated and easy to paint. I was very happy to find these were still in production.

madaxeman · Post by **madaxeman** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:02 am

Skullzgrinda wrote:
These minis were designed before scale creep came a-creeping, so are true 15mms. Sturdy, animated and easy to paint. I was very happy to find these were still in production.

I believe this means "They are tiny compared to modern figures"

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:59 pm

madaxeman wrote:
Skullzgrinda wrote:
These minis were designed before scale creep came a-creeping, so are true 15mms. Sturdy, animated and easy to paint. I was very happy to find these were still in production.
I believe this means "They are tiny compared to modern figures"

Small, not tiny. They mix easily with Essex and Donnington for example, and I believe they will do well with Khurasan.

I have mixed them with Essex, Donnington, Minifigs, and Museum in the same units. Museum and OG are almost too big to use with them but it can be done with some care.

If I can ever escape Neanderthal status to achieve Cro-Magnon, perhaps I shall load some photos of my soon to be victorious Table Top Alans, a work in progress.

By the way, I have now read all of your AARs so get busy on the new ones please! I would particularly like to see the write up of the massive
8000 points Chalons sure Marne game. Curious barbarians want to know. viewtopic.php?t=9268&highlight=huns

MarkSieber · Post by **MarkSieber** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:05 pm

They aren't as tiny as some older lines--they mix well with Essex.

Here are some comparisons from photos I had on hand that may help give some sense of scale:

From front to back (right to left):
Khurasan Bow Cav
Minifigs Spear/Battleline Bow
Battleline Spear/Essex Bow
Minifigs/Minifigs

and

As you can see, the accretion of this army has taken some years & has various interpretations of figure types

philqw78 · Post by **philqw78** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:09 pm

Skullzgrinda wrote: By the way, I have now read all of your AARs so get busy on the new ones please! I would particularly like to see the write up of the massive
8000 points Chalons sure Marne game. Curious barbarians want to know. viewtopic.php?t=9268&highlight=huns

Well, the Huns won, with a little help from the Gepids. I shall give Si a prod.

madaxeman · Post by **madaxeman** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:12 pm

Skullzgrinda wrote:
By the way, I have now read all of your AARs so get busy on the new ones please! I would particularly like to see the write up of the massive
8000 points Chalons sure Marne game. Curious barbarians want to know. viewtopic.php?t=9268&highlight=huns

I charged forwards against enemy troops which were better than mine frontally in both morale class and armour.

Even with rear support I didn't get especially good dice, and lost in fairly short order. I then went home and missed the rest of the game

madaxeman · Post by **madaxeman** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:14 pm

Skullzgrinda wrote:
madaxeman wrote:
Skullzgrinda wrote:
These minis were designed before scale creep came a-creeping, so are true 15mms. Sturdy, animated and easy to paint. I was very happy to find these were still in production.
I believe this means "They are tiny compared to modern figures"
Small, not tiny. They mix easily with Essex and Donnington for example, and I believe they will do well with Khurasan.

Maybe its the Huns I've seen which are tiny then ?

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:01 pm

madaxeman wrote:
Skullzgrinda wrote:
madaxeman wrote: I believe this means "They are tiny compared to modern figures"
Small, not tiny. They mix easily with Essex and Donnington for example, and I believe they will do well with Khurasan.
Maybe its the Huns I've seen which are tiny then ?

The Huns are small. That being said, I am mixing them with Gladiator, Black Hat, OG and even the destrier mounted Essex Huns. I love the modelling aspect of wargaming, and am quite promiscuous in mixing different lines. I have one stand of Skythians which features a Table Top Viking holding aloft a Donnington Macedonian head, as his Museum Briton mate flays a Thistle and Rose Galatian. That is one stand.

I am a happy customer of the old Table Top line, and have been for 25 years. I will send a photo of the Sarmatians in due course.

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:03 pm

madaxeman wrote:
Skullzgrinda wrote:
By the way, I have now read all of your AARs so get busy on the new ones please! I would particularly like to see the write up of the massive
8000 points Chalons sure Marne game. Curious barbarians want to know. viewtopic.php?t=9268&highlight=huns
I charged forwards against enemy troops which were better than mine frontally in both morale class and armour.

Even with rear support I didn't get especially good dice, and lost in fairly short order. I then went home and missed the rest of the game

At least there were no Dairylea wedges!

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:06 pm

philqw78 wrote:
Skullzgrinda wrote: By the way, I have now read all of your AARs so get busy on the new ones please! I would particularly like to see the write up of the massive
8000 points Chalons sure Marne game. Curious barbarians want to know. viewtopic.php?t=9268&highlight=huns
Well, the Huns won, with a little help from the Gepids. I shall give Si a prod.

Yes, that whole thread was like one of those sad early, fumbling dates where when you FINALLY get to what SHOULD be the good part, you get a brisk handshake or chaste hug and the bird flies and hides as swiftly as any pheasant . . .